Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 541

**Keepsake 541**

**Chapter 541: You’re Doing Great**

The moment those words left Tess’s lips, Abel’s expression shifted dramatically. His brow furrowed, and his shoulders sagged as if the weight of the world had suddenly settled upon him.

“You really don’t know how to have fun,” he mumbled, the disappointment seeping into his tone like a slow leak.

He cast a sidelong glance at Tess, but the moment their eyes met—her calm, unwavering gaze—he quickly looked away, hunching his shoulders further. “Even if I didn’t do much, I still worked hard. Isn’t it fair to treat me to a meal?” His voice was barely above a whisper, tinged with a hint of pleading.

A flicker of amusement danced in Tess’s eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Okay, but let’s wait until things settle down,” she replied, her voice soothing yet firm.

Though disappointment flickered in Abel’s heart, it was a slight improvement from before. He straightened his posture, gripping the steering wheel with renewed determination. “Alright then, let’s head back to the office,” he announced, his tone more upbeat.

Mars Legal.

As the car came to a stop, Tess’s gaze fell upon a familiar figure shifting nervously at the entrance. Ken stood there, caught in that awkward phase of adolescence where he was growing taller, yet still looked somewhat childlike. Despite being nearly the same height as Tess, his presence felt far more fragile.

“Tess!” he called out, his voice rushing forth with an urgency that betrayed his anxiety. He hurried over, his expression a mix of hope and apprehension. “Raven said you might know where my dad and my mom are. Is that true?”

In that moment, Tess understood the weight of his worry. She felt a pang of empathy for the boy standing before her, his heart clearly burdened by the absence of his parents. Speaking softly, she offered him a sense of comfort. “Right now, we do have some guesses, but we’ll need Raven and Lyra to figure it out for sure.”

“Don’t worry too much yet,” she added gently, her words meant to soothe his frayed nerves.

Ken’s eyes glistened with gratitude, and he felt a swell of emotion that nearly brought him to tears. He longed to reach out, to grasp Tess’s hand in thanks, but the tall figure beside her made him hesitate. Instead, he met her gaze with sincerity. “Tess, thank you so much!”

Tess returned his smile, warm and encouraging. “Go back and study,” she urged, her tone light, yet filled with an underlying seriousness.

Ken nodded earnestly and departed, his steps lighter and more fluid than usual, contrasting sharply with his previous stiff demeanor.

Once he was out of sight, Abel’s frown returned, his expression darkening. “Back at Shannon’s funeral, when Nicholas blamed you, did he ever think his son would need your help to find him?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a knife.

Typically, Abel and Ken shared a decent rapport, often exchanging casual banter. Yet, the memory of Nicholas’s actions haunted him, resurfacing every time he encountered Ken.

Abel watched her, captivated by the transformation he saw in her.

“What? Surprised? Didn’t think I could be different from the nice, gentle person you imagined? I use my image to get what I want. Not what you expected, huh?” Tess’s tone was teasing yet serious, as if she were testing the waters to see how he would react.

“No,” Abel replied firmly, shaking his head, his eyes brimming with unwavering determination.

He reached out, gently patting Tess’s shoulder. A wave of warmth surged through her, easing the tension that had been coiling tightly in her mind.

Surprised by his gesture, Tess looked up, her brow furrowing slightly as she met the respect shining in his eyes.

“You’re doing great. Otherwise, I’d always worry about you getting treated badly when I’m not around,” Abel said, his tone earnest, almost protective.

Ever since he learned about the hardships Tess had faced, he felt an overwhelming responsibility to safeguard her. If anyone dared to harm her, he would not hesitate to unleash whatever cruelty was necessary to make them pay.

Tess gazed into his eyes—dark and strong, yet illuminated with a warmth that starkly contrasted with Finn’s cold, empty stare. In that moment, she knew she had someone who would stand by her side, no matter the storm.