Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 491

1989

As the car disappeared down the driveway, Henry pressed his fingers against his temples, finally tearing his eyes away from the live surveillance feed streaming on his phone. The tension in his brow deepened as he sank into the couch, then shifted to a semi-reclined position, gazing up at the ceiling lost in thought. It was then that he noticed Kylie standing quietly at the top of the staircase.

“Why are you still up here? Didn’t I tell you to rest?” he called out, his voice tinged with concern and a slight frown creasing his forehead.

“I saw them leave,” Kylie replied softly, her eyes fixed on the empty doorway below. “Nadine’s still alone at the hospital. I need to check on her.”

Kylie began to descend the stairs slowly, now wearing a fresh designer coat that contrasted sharply with the quiet atmosphere of the house. Henry gave her a brief, assessing look. Seeing the determination in her eyes, he chose not to argue and merely waved her off with a resigned gesture.

Almost at the door, Kylie paused and glanced back at him. Henry was already upright again, fingers rapidly tapping across his phone’s keyboard. His face was set, focused on the messages he was sending.

Kylie pressed her lips into a thin line. She had waited so eagerly for the Larsons to come by, hoping for some recognition or warmth. Instead, all their attention had been lavished on Tess. The excitement that had sparked within her earlier now dissolved into a bitter disappointment. She glanced around the empty living room, the silence wrapping around her like a heavy cloak, and felt a tightening knot of frustration in her chest.

She couldn’t quite put her finger on why she felt this way—perhaps it was the accumulation of long-simmering resentment that had quietly built up over time. Henry, absorbed in his phone, never once looked her way and missed the subtle change in her expression.

Without another word, Kylie turned and stepped outside, the door clicking softly behind her.

Henry watched the door close, then glanced toward the empty hallway to confirm she was gone before dialing Nadine’s number.

“Dad? What’s wrong?” Nadine’s voice came through faintly, still weak from her hospital stay.

“The Larsons stopped by,” Henry said, his voice low and tense. “Just like I thought, they ignored everyone but Tess. And those old fools even handed her the family heirloom—the jade bracelet.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line.

Nadine, who had sounded fragile moments before, suddenly clenched her fist tightly, drawing strength from somewhere deep inside.

They gave the Larsons’ heirloom to Tess? What had she ever done to deserve such an honor? If memory served, this was the first time the Larsons had even met her!

“Are you sure it was their heirloom?” Nadine asked, disbelief coloring her tone. “Maybe it was just a regular gift.”

“No,” Henry replied, his voice firm. “Judging by Kylie’s reaction, it wasn’t just any gift. I’m almost certain it was the jade bracelet—the symbol of the Larsons’ heiress.”

At that moment, Nadine’s hand knocked a glass off her nightstand, the crash echoing sharply in the quiet hospital room.

The Larsons’ heiress? And Tess?

Nadine opened her mouth to protest but found herself unable to speak. Henry’s unwavering resolve was unmistakable.

“Dad, I’ve embarrassed myself enough already, and I’m hurt. I can’t deal with the media right now…”

“Just get it done in the next few days. You can call the news outlets from your hospital bed. You don’t need to go anywhere.”

With that, Henry ended the call.

The cold dial tone sounded in Nadine’s ear. Her fingers trembled as she set the phone down, her arms still shaking with rage and exhaustion.

The past few days had been unusually quiet in the media, everyone waiting for Tess to clarify the situation. Many hoped it would become a major headline.

Now, Nadine was about to announce on Henry’s behalf that there would be no further investigation, and Tess would no longer be required to prove Shannon was alive.

Anyone who had been waiting so long would surely feel frustrated and disappointed.

Nadine slumped back against her hospital bed, all her remaining strength draining away as a heavy weariness settled over her.