Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27 No Looking Back

Chapter 27 No Looking Back

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Her eyes landed on her own signature at the bottom of the page. For a moment, Tess felt herself drift.

If she hadn’t run into Charles by chance, she and Layla might’ve been sleeping on the streets tonight.

She glanced out the window at the sky streaked with red twilight. An image flashed in her mind–she and Layla wandering helplessly through the city with no clue where to go.

A chill ran through her. She saw herself again that day at Lock Group Private Hospital–cold, broken, alone.

But now, Tess lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.

She was going to get Finn to sign those divorce papers.

From this day forward, they’d have nothing to do with each other.

Only by cutting him off completely could she finally start fresh–get a job, raise Layla in peace, and live an everyday life.

With Charles’s permission, she used the printer in the apartment and drafted a new copy of the divorce agreement.

She signed her name again.

This time, each stroke was steady, resolute.

But her heart was in a very different place than it had been a year ago.

Back then, it had also been evening. The rain had poured down as she stood at the villa in Evermount Villa, watching the rain drip off the tree branches outside long after the storm had passed until night fell.

At that time, she still loved Finn–but the heart that once beat so wildly for him was already worn out.

And now-

She ran her fingers over the bold title=“Divorce Agreement.” Her gaze was calm, almost empty. Only when she thought of Layla sleeping in the next room did a flicker of warmth return to her eyes.

It wasn’t that her heart had died. It was that she was finally awake.

“Tess!”

A knock sounded at the door. She quickly set the divorce agreement back on the coffee table and went to open it.

Thought we should celebrate our little reunion,” Charles said, standing there in a sharp suit, cheeks slightly flushed, eyes bright. “Dinner on me–what do you say?”

She was surprised he’d come back so quickly. And even more surprised at the offer.

You’ve already done more than enough by letting us stay here,” she said, instinctively trying to decline. “I can’t let you treat us

too.”

“If we’re keeping score, you were one of the top lawyers in the field back then,” he said with a grin. “You had the patience to coach me one–on–one. I still owe you for those private lessons.”

Then he gave her a mock–offended look. “Come on, Tess. You treat me like a stranger now?”

His fake pout made her chuckle despite herself.

Seeing that the mood had lightened, Charles clapped his hands. “Alright then–it’s settled. Go get Layla. I’ll bring the car

around”

Faced with such direct words, she couldn’t argue further. Her expression softened, and she turned to head toward the bedroom.

1/2

2:26 PM

Charles’s heart skipped a beat. His mind felt like a mess. He quickly lowered his head, trying to hide the expression on his face.

Could a year in prison really change someone this much?

He stole another glance at her.

In his memories, Tess had always been strong but gentle–yet back then, she’d lived in quiet heartbreak over Finn.

She used to shine like the morning sun, but her world had revolved around that one man. Now, the sharp edges were gone. What remained was softness, restraint–and scars.

“I’m glad you did,” he murmured, then quickly changed the subject. “Layla’s probably hungry. I’ll grab the bottle.”

They didn’t linger in the past any longer.

Charles took Tess and Layla to a newly opened riverside restaurant. Layla, who had still been half–asleep when she got in the car, was now wide awake, her big dark eyes looking around curiously.

When she looked at Charles sitting next to Tess, she seemed to sense his kindness–and gave him a sweet, innocent smile.

It hit something in Charles’s chest.

Raising a kid wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

Tess barely touched her food, as usual. She’d told Charles not to order too much, and in the end, only ate a little.

The table he booked had a window view–right outside was Aetheris’s largest lake.

The surface shimmered in the evening light.

Tess set down her knife and fork, drawn in by the breathtaking scene outside.

Charles’s gaze was already fixed on her. It lingered on the faint scar on her cheek, and something tugged painfully in his chest. Even his eyes softened with ache.