Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 477

Chapter 477: It Was Meant to Happen

Lachlan’s smile faded as he observed Raven’s reaction, his expression turning serious and composed. “I never said it was just a coincidence,” he murmured quietly, his voice steady but carrying a hint of conviction. “In some strange way, it feels like this was destined to be.”

Raven frowned, her brows knitting together in confusion. “But what exactly are you trying to achieve?” she asked cautiously. “Mr. Scardino has already passed away. Are you really going to abandon your own dreams just to fulfill all of his odd final wishes?”

To anyone unfamiliar with their history, Raven’s words might have seemed perplexing, even puzzling. There was an unspoken complexity between these two that only they could understand.

After a brief pause, Lachlan’s relaxed demeanor shifted. A shadow of loneliness and seriousness crossed his features, replacing the earlier casualness.

“Raven,” he said quietly, “just because you know a few things doesn’t give you the right to meddle in my plans.”

His deep blue eyes locked onto hers, sharp and unwavering, delivering a clear warning.

Raven’s hands clenched tightly at her sides as she stared back, unyielding. She opened her mouth to speak but hesitated, swallowing her words.

“Tess is a good person,” she finally said, her voice firm and unwavering. “If you try to harm her in any way, I won’t care about whatever history we have. I’ll be the first to stop you. Don’t even think about crossing that line.”

Her glare was fierce, unwavering, each word laced with determination.

Lachlan noticed the seriousness in her eyes and understood she meant every word.

For a moment, he regarded Raven thoughtfully. She had been his grandfather’s favorite student, a connection forged over many meetings and shared experiences. Usually carefree and lighthearted, this was the first time she had confronted him so boldly— all for someone else’s sake.

“If I really wanted to, what could you possibly do?” Lachlan raised a brow, one hand casually slipped into his pocket as he leaned lazily against the wall. A soft chuckle escaped him. “I wonder what you’re overthinking this time.”

He pushed off the wall and straightened up.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. The gentle, charming aura that had surrounded him vanished, replaced by a faint but unmistakable air of disdain and gloom. It was as if Raven was facing an entirely different man.

“Take care,” he said curtly, then opened the door and stepped inside. The warm light spilling from within softened his features once more, making him appear calm and peaceful again.

With practiced ease, he closed the door behind him.

Raven remained standing there, staring at the closed door. Her lips pressed tightly together, her face tense with unresolved worry.

She sighed quietly, telling herself to let it go for now. If anything went wrong, she would warn Tess immediately.

He glanced down to gauge Kylie’s reaction.

It was clear that Nadine’s earlier pleading had softened Kylie’s resistance somewhat. Though she didn’t look pleased, she no longer opposed the idea outright.

Kylie frowned slightly, her voice laced with skepticism. “Wasn’t there a lot of tension between you and Tess at Shannon’s funeral? I even heard you asked her to clear things up properly. And now you want her to come home? Nadine wants us all to reconcile too. Doesn’t that make all the effort you put in before seem pointless?”

Henry sighed softly, brushing a stray lock of hair back from her face. “Nadine only invited Tess because she’s worried about your health. Even if I have my differences with Tess, I have to put you and the baby first. The rest… well, if it can wait, then we’ll wait until you’re better. Those issues can wait. Tess is my daughter, and I have a responsibility to guide her.”

Kylie blinked in surprise, her heart pounding with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. “So, we’re really letting Tess come back to live with us?”

Henry gave a helpless smile but nodded firmly. “She made mistakes before, yes. But blood ties don’t change. We can’t just abandon her forever. No matter how rebellious Tess is, she’s still our daughter.”

His voice was gentle, his eyes meeting hers with a quiet intensity, as if invisible threads connected their hearts.

Kylie felt a little unsteady, almost as if she were dreaming. Was her illness playing tricks on her?

Yet the warmth of Henry’s hand holding hers was undeniably real, grounding her in the moment.