Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 418

Nadine looked at Kylie’s face, then smiled sweetly. “Good thing you cleared things up for Dad at the funeral, Mom. Now Tess’s probably too busy running around to mess with the Ember Group. That gave me some free time, so I wanted to spend it with you.”

She winked sweetly at Kylie, looking obedient.

“Uh, sure.”

Hearing the name that always left her a little dazed, Kylie nodded slowly, almost absent- minded.

Out of Kylie’s sight, Nadine squinted.

“Mom, you must be bored being home alone, right?”

Nadine leaned in closer.

This time, Kylie answered right away. “Yeah, your dad and I aren’t living together, and I’m new to Aetheris.”

Nadine let out a long “Oh,” then had the housekeeper bring over snacks. She dipped a cookie in milk and handed it to Kylie. “Do you get homesick, Mom? When I was in prison, I was all alone. I thought about you and Dad every day.”

Nadine sniffled and rested her head on Kylie’s shoulder.

She chatted casually, like it was nothing, but the moment her head touched Kylie’s shoulder, she felt Kylie’s body tense up.

A sharp gleam flashed in Nadine’s eyes.

“Nadine, why are you suddenly asking about that?”

Kylie’s fingers, holding the cookie, were slightly trembling.

your

Nadine looked up at her with innocent eyes. “I’m curious because you never mention family. When I was in jail, I felt abandoned and missed you and Dad the most. I know you’re by yourself these days, so I wanted to know if you feel the same about your family.”

She tilted her head, looking like a naïve little animal.

Kylie’s eyes started to well up.

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Her family? Of course, she missed them!

Those happy days felt like a past life.

Lately, the loneliness was worse than ever–she had always been surrounded by people.

How did I end up like this?

Kylie was in a daze. She slowly let the cookie soak in the milk until it completely dissolved and sank to the bottom.

The warmth of the milk on her fingertips finally snapped her back.

“Grandma never liked me. What about your other family? I think I’ve only ever seen Grandma. Do you think your other relatives would like me?” Nadine asked in a soft and sweet voice.

She carefully wrapped her arms around Kylie’s, resting her cheek against it.

Kylie looked down at Nadine’s actions.

When Kylie was little, she often hugged her parents and spoke to them just like that.

Kylie looked up and saw that the skin on her hand was no longer as smooth as it was when she

was young.

So many years had passed.

Even she was getting old.

Her mother was gone. What about her father?

A

pang of worry tightened in Kylie’s chest.

Noticing the shift in her mood, Nadine looked up. “What’s wrong?”

Kylie shook her head, then suddenly grabbed Nadine’s hand. “Want to meet your grandpa?”

Nadine instantly straightened up, her face lighting up. “Really, Mom?”

But she suddenly slumped back down, looking discouraged. “I’m just your adopted daughter. If anyone should meet Grandpa, it should be Tess.”

Hearing Tess’s name, Kylie brushed aside the lingering bond of kinship. With a frown, she snapped, “She’s unfilial. She doesn’t deserve to see your grandpa!”

Nadine’s face remained sweet, but the excited smile on her lips was hard to hide.

She quickly hugged Kylie, her eyes shining with anticipation. “When are we going to see Grandpa? What should I prepare?”

Seeing Nadine so excited made Kylie’s heart waver.

Over 20 years ago, she insisted on marrying Henry and cutting ties with the Larsons. Her family helped them financially, so they did their part. Now that she wanted to go home, would the Larsons even see her?

Kylie looked down, but the thought kept nagging at her; she couldn’t let it go.

She wanted to go home.

Back to that carefree life, surrounded by family, with only happiness and none of this endless loneliness.

“You don’t need to prepare anything. I’ll contact them in a while,” Kylie said gently.

“That won’t do. I heard your family’s more impressive than ours. I was thinking of bringing some local specialties from Krigan, but maybe that’s too plain? What should we bring? Hmm… Maybe I could pick out some jewelry gifts from Cavrielle for the elders. Tess can’t go, but a lot of Cavrielle’s designs are hers–it’d be like she came along too…