Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 222

Chapter 222 Exploding Mind

Chapter 222 Exploding Mind

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A storm of questions crashed through her mind, pounding until it felt like her skull would split.

Something flickered in her memory, but it slipped away before she could catch it.

Tess rubbed her temples, stood up, and grabbed the thin blanket from Finn’s bed. She wrapped it around herself and made her way to her own room.

She walked through the living room and the study, but not a sound came from either room.

She figured Finn had already left for work, and the tightness in her chest eased just a bit.

When she opened her bedroom door, she saw Layla already awake. Tess didn’t know when the girl had gotten up, but she was sitting quietly without a single tear or fuss.

The moment Layla spotted her, she broke into a huge smile.

Tess felt her restless heart finally steadying down.

She quickly changed into fresh clothes, then scooped Layla up into her arms.

Layla clapped her hands and babbled with joy.

Their warm moment lasted only a short while before a burst of noise shattered it.

Someone was pounding on the front door, and angry mutters came between the knocks.

Tess frowned. She was wondering who it might be, and she went to open the door.

The moment she turned the knob, the door was shoved open from the other side.

“What took you so long?

“You’re sitting around acting like you own the place so much that you can’t even open a door without making a show of it?”

Tess had to make a hasty retreat just to escape the foul breath that came with the words. She looked up, her irritation growing, and her chest tightened when she recognized them.

Kylie stood there with the same hard, tight–lipped expression as always, and next to her was her sister, Heidi Larson, whose face was set in open hostility.

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9:48 Wed, Oct 8

Chapter 222 Exploding Mind

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A

By family ties, Tess should have called Marlene her aunt, but she’d made it clear at her grandmother’s memorial–she wanted nothing to do with the Embers.

Her expression turned cold, sharp enough to shut people out.

“Get out.”

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Heidi’s smug look wavered, and her eyes went wide. “You can’t talk to me like that, Tess!”

Kylie jumped in. “You’re not even showing Heidi a shred of respect now? You’ve really grown some nerve, haven’t you?”

Tess let out a sharp laugh, holding Layla and putting space between herself and the two women. “I haven’t been an Ember for a long time. You’re no aunt of mine.

“And one more thing.”

She lifted her chin, her gaze like glass. “This is Evermount Villa. You don’t belong here.” The force of her presence made Heidi flinch, and she shot Kylie a quick look.

This was not the same daughter who took every insult and humiliation as they came.

“Not an Ember? That’s not your call to make. As long as you carry our name, you’re one of ours! You’re ours to command!” Kylie snapped, her brows lifting as her voice rose.

She reached for Tess’s arm.

“Apologize to your aunt. We gave you years in Aetheris, let you live like a lady, and now you’ve thrown your manners in the trash.

“You have no class at all! I can’t tell anyone you’re my daughter! I’d be mortified!”

Tess stepped back fast, the disgust in her eyes cutting deep. “Of course I’m not your daughter. My mother died the moment I went to prison. You think you’re the only one who’d be embarrassed? Please, I’d rather tell everyone I’m an orphan. I’d rather die than get caught having any ties to you. You disgust me.

“And here’s something else. If you don’t walk out now, I’m calling security. When they start dragging you out like a couple of strays, let’s see if you can hold your head up high. I think it serves as an excellent test of character.”

Her cold smile twisted into a smirk.

Her words made both Kylie and Heidi flush with rage, but they didn’t move closer.

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9:48 Wed, Oct 8

Chapter 222 Exploding Mind

Part of it was the sting of humiliation.

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