Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 374

Chapter 374 The Ominous Toy

Chapter 374 The Ominous Toy

Tess worried a toy with a hard edge might hurt Layla, so most of her baby’s toys were soft stuffed animals.

She searched her memory, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t recall seeing this little drum before.

Her eyes stayed locked on it, her stare deepening. It wasn’t completely unfamiliar–almost like she had seen it somewhere.

“Bessie.” Tess carried Layla into the kitchen, where Bessic was busy making baby food.

“What is it, Tess?” Bessie asked without looking up.

“Do you remember this toy? Did you buy this drum for Layla?” Tess held up the pink drum.

Bessie leaned closer, squinting at it. She scratched her head. “I may be old, but I know kids like fun new things. Why would I buy her a drum?”

Her answer only made Tess more uneasy.

Neither of them had bought it. So how had it ended up in Layla’s hands?

A chill crept into Tess’s heart.

“In the last few days, has anyone strange come around Evermount Heights?” she asked quickly.

The question made Bessie go serious.

She set down the dishes and thought carefully, then shook her head. “No. You’ve been busy and away a lot. I’ve been here with Layla the whole time.”

Tess’s face hardened. She pressed her lips tight and threw the pink drum straight into the trash.

“Feed Layla first,” she said, trying to steady her breath.

But her chest still felt tight.

She had made too many enemies lately. The memories of what she and Layla had already gone through still haunted her.

Tess decided she needed to double–check the cameras and strengthen the security system in

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Chapter 374 The Ominous Toy

the house.

“I’ll do it.”

Tess sat with Layla at the table and fed her.

10 The Ca

Bessie noticed there was nothing left for her to do. She untied her apron, rubbed her hands clean, and glanced at the trash can.

Then she grabbed the bag and carried it outside.

She walked to the neighborhood’s trash station, tossed the bag in, and hummed a tune as she strolled away.

But soon after she left, a figure appeared.

Tall and thin, with a sharp, brooding presence.

Long fingers pulled the pink drum out of the bag. He tapped it once with his fingertip. A dull thud echoed.

Hidden beneath messy bangs and a baseball cap, his deep–set eyes burned with restless affection.

So, they threw it away?

Behind the mask, his jaw clenched tight. The faint grind of teeth broke the silence.

After a long pause, the dark figure turned and left, as if he had never been there at all.

At the same time, Layla finished a bowl of baby food and snuggled into Tess’s arms, humming softly.

She looked so sweet and cute that Bessie’s heart melted.

“See? I spend more time with Layla than anyone, but she’s not this close to me,” Bessie teased with a smile.

Tess laughed, her eyes crinkling.

The cozy scene filled the room with warmth, and Tess felt a calm she hadn’t known in a long time.

But that peace didn’t last.

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Chapter 374 The Ominous Toy

Ring!

Abel’s phone rang, wild and sharp, just like him–loud, reckless, and bold.

“What’s up?” Tess answered.

“Nadine’s out of prison.”

“What?”

Tess frowned at the news.

Abel repeated it, then explained, his voice low and steady, like the strings of a cello. “Uncle Finn had her locked up for three months. We were sure her family had written her off. But just now, Henry and Kylie showed up and posted her bail. Reporters were even there when she walked out. Looks like Henry and Kylie planned it that way.”

When Abel got serious, he carried a charm that was impossible to ignore.

But Tess kept her focus on the news itself.

“The scandal online hasn’t blown over yet,” Abel continued. “Henry’s been dodging every question from the press. All the signs point to him trying to skip town.”

Tess frowned even deeper.

She could understand Henry’s plan—dumping Nadine, who didn’t matter much, and walking away clean. But why would he suddenly change his mind and bail her out so publicly?

“What about Shannon? What’s going on there?”

Tess’s eyes turned sharply.

“You’ll have to check with Lyra. I called you right away when I saw something was off,” Abel replied.

Tess pressed her lips together. She said nothing more and quickly began typing to Lyra.

But before she could send her first message, a reply from Lyra popped up.

“Shannon moved out of the hotel.”

That message made Tess narrow her eyes.