Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 264

Chapter 264 Regret

Tess’s sharp words struck like a hammer.

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Joanna finally snapped out of her daze, fumbling nervously. Her eyes darted to Nadine for help, but Nadine only shot her a warning glare.

Wee–woo! Wee–woo!

The piercing alarm of an ambulance rang outside the house.

Tess’s cold, hard face turned into panic. She grabbed Layla in her arms and rushed out the door.

The moment she appeared, doctors and nurses hurried over. They quickly lifted Layla into the ambulance.

Layla’s eyes fluttered open and shut, as if she was fighting to stay awake. Her chubby cheeks had sunk, like a balloon deflating, and she looked dangerously weak.

Even in her weakness, she only clung to Tess’s hand. She never cried or complained about the pain.

Tess’s chest tightened as she watched the nurses roll up Layla’s sleeves and pants. Bruises covered her little arms and legs, making Tess’s heart pound in terror.

She had been perfectly fine before Tess left the house.

One of the nurses, clearly shaken by the wounds, glanced at Tess. But when she saw the mother’s horrified expression, she lowered her eyes and kept working.

The poor child–covered in fresh bruises–it was clear she had been abused.

Who could be so cruel to someone so young?

“Ma’am, if you and your child are in danger, you must call the police,” the nurse urged, her hands never stopping as she worked.

“I will,” Tess bit out, her jaw tight. Her eyes blazed like fire, hot with fury and the promise of vengeance. “Anyone who dares hurt my child–I won’t let them get away with it.”

She had been gone for less than two hours. Who could Layla have come into contact with?

Tess’s fists curled tight, guilt surging through her chest like a wave.

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19:20 Mon, Oct 13

Chapter 264 Regret

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Why hadn’t she taken Layla with her? Why hadn’t she fired Joanna the moment she noticed her negligence yesterday?

The regret was enough to make her sick.

Suddenly, Layla’s tiny hand slipped weakly from her grasp.

Tess’s heart seized, her voice breaking. “My baby, she—”

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” the nurse soothed quickly. “We just finished examining her. It looks like someone fed her too much salt. It caused temporary dehydration and nonstop vomiting. Even an adult would struggle with that. Falling asleep after all this isn’t unusual.”

“Salt?” Tess repeated in a daze.

“Yes,” the nurse explained, adjusting the IV. “She’s far too young. Babies can’t have salt yet.”

Tess’s breathing grew sharp and uneven.

She had left formula and baby food at the villa. Why would anyone deliberately give Layla salt? And what about the bruises? Was it Joanna or Nadine?

Her heart pounded, wild and furious. She wanted to drag them both in front of her and tear them apart.

The ambulance rushed Layla straight to Lock Group Private Hospital. Staff carried her inside on a stretcher and set her on a prepared bed.

Tess followed closely, never letting Layla out of sight. Only when the doctor returned and began laying out a treatment plan did she finally let out a trembling breath.

She had booked a private hospital room, leaving only her and Layla inside.

The space was so still that the only sounds were her pounding heartbeat and the steady drip of the IV.

Tess carefully pulled a chair closer and sat beside her daughter. Her gaze lingered on Layla’s shut eyes and the pale, fragile skin that had lost its healthy glow.

Tears slipped down Tess’s cheeks before she quickly turned her head and wiped them away. Her nose stayed red.

She blamed herself. She could’ve joined Steven and Tommy over Zoom instead. Why had she left Layla home alone?

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19:20 Mon, Oct 13

Chapter 264 Regret

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Biting down hard on her tongue, she forced pain through her nerves, anything to keep from breaking down completely.

“Mrs. Lock, could you please come here and sign some forms?”

The door cracked open, and a nurse’s gentle voice drifted in.

Tess nodded toward the gap. She gave Layla another lingering look, pressed a kiss to her smooth forehead, and tiptoed out.

“Your little one is doing well. You brought her in early, so it isn’t serious this time,” the nurse said softly, almost afraid to meet Tess’s eyes.

She had only just learned this was Mrs. Lock herself.

The aura around Tess was unmistakable, making her all the more respectable.

Though her mind was a mess, Tess forced a small smile and thanked her. The kindness made the young nurse’s heart leap.

With her help, Tess quickly finished Layla’s admission papers.

Holding the fresh test report, Tess flipped through the pages while heading back toward the

room.

Passing the restroom, she hesitated, then stepped inside.

In the mirror, a pale, bloodless face stared back.

She stared blankly at the mirror, at the pale face looking back at her. The test results had shown nothing was wrong, but her mind couldn’t let go.

Tess tried to steady her breathing, but the rise and fall of her chest kept her from relaxing.

She cupped cold water into her hands and patted it against her face. The chill seeped into her skin, easing the edge of her frayed nerves–if only for a moment.