Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23 No Room for You

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In Riven’s mind, it made more sense to kick Tess out than pretend she’d suddenly turn over a new leaf.

Better to cut ties clean–at least then, she couldn’t go crying to Finn and drag him down with her. That kind of fallout would end his entire career in Aetheris.

He snuck another glance at Tess but quickly looked away.

Sure, she was beautiful, but way too dangerous. He might be a sleazeball, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew some women were out of his league–way out.

Impatiently, he barked, “Move it already!”

“Why?”

Tess met his eyes, calm but firm.

“Why? Who’s in charge here–you or me?”

His voice shot up an octave. Then, as if he’d just remembered something, he waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, and you’re fired.”

Tess stared at him in shock. Riven shoved the new girl through the doorway and practically ran off.

Even Bessie, usually quick–witted, was too stunned to react right away.

“Wait, he didn’t just kick you out of the bed? He fired you?”

She finally pieced it together.

Tess clenched her fists, lips pressed tightly together.

The new girl stood there awkwardly, clutching two suitcases, unsure if she should come in or wait.

“You can come in. Just set your things down,” Tess said gently, forcing a smile.

This wasn’t the girl’s fault.

After all, this had nothing to do with the young girl in front of her. She was a mother now–and whenever she looked at someone so young, so untouched by the world, she couldn’t help but feel a little more patient, a little more forgiving.

Still, the whole situation had hit her out of nowhere. And that dry, forced smile on her face? It looked more like she was about to cry.

“Th–thank you.”

The girl nodded shyly and wheeled her bags past Tess, avoiding the empty bed and sitting down near the one beside it.

Tess glanced toward her sleeping baby, then turned and marched straight to the management office.

“I’m sorry, but the decision’s final. It’s already been signed off”

Vanessa shoved a stamped document across the desk.

Tess picked it up, scanning the contents. It was a formal termination notice.

“But we signed a contract. What you’re doing is a violation of—”

Bang!

Vanessa slammed her cup down hard. Her bored look vanished.

“You wanna lecture me on labor laws?

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10 43 PM

Chapter 23 No Room for You

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“Tess, let’s be real. Everyone else in the dorms? They’re full–time employees. On the books. You? You’re just a temp.

Vanessa watched her leave, her half–lidded eyes gleaming through the steam of her teacup–part amused, part smug.

Ballsy. Marching in here to make a scene.

If Riven hadn’t personally asked her to help smooth things over, she wouldn’t have even bothered.

She glanced down at the termination paperwork and then tossed it in the trash..

As for the orphan girl? Total fiction. Riven made that part up and told the new–girl to play the part.

He’d also warned her that Tess might be connected to Finn somehow.

Not that she believed it.

A broke single mom working sanitation and raising a kid? With Finn, Aetheris’s wealthiest man? Please.

She scoffed under her breath, already thinking about what to eat for dinner.

Tess returned to the dorm to find bags and boxes piled just outside the door.

Her eyes narrowed. She stepped closer. It was all her stuff. Hers and Layla’s.

The fire in her chest reignited on the spot. Without thinking, she rushed inside.

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10:43 PM

Chapter 23 No Room for You

There was the new girl–holding Layla, looking unsure of where to put her.

“What are you doing?!” Tess shouted.