Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 492

Keepsake 492: I’ll Wait For You Guys

A gentle knock echoed on the door.

“Nadine, how are you feeling?” Kylie’s voice was soft with concern as she pushed the door open and immediately spotted Nadine, slumped over and looking pale and fragile.

Nadine’s eyes met Kylie’s caring gaze, and a sharp sting pricked her nose. “Mom!” she called out, her voice trembling and more fragile than usual.

Without hesitation, Kylie hurried over, the food she had been carrying forgotten on the floor. She took Nadine’s cold hand in hers, wrapping it warmly in her palms. “What’s wrong, Nadine? Are you hurting again?”

Nadine clung to Kylie, burying her face deep into her mother’s chest, her voice barely above a whisper, as if carrying the weight of some deep injustice. “It hurts.”

“Mom… it hurts so much. I don’t understand why Tess is doing this to me. I apologized, tried to make peace, but she still sends people to hurt me.”

Her sobs shook her small frame as she leaned into Kylie’s comforting arms.

Kylie’s heart tightened painfully. She ran her fingers gently through Nadine’s hair, her expression darkening the moment Tess’s name was mentioned. “She’s just an ungrateful little brat.”

This time, Nadine didn’t try to stop her mother’s harsh words or pretend otherwise. She simply trembled quietly in her mother’s embrace.

“Mom, could you please talk to Tess for me? Tell her to stop picking on me?” Nadine looked up, tears shimmering in her eyes, completely vulnerable and helpless.

Kylie’s gaze fell on the fresh scar on Nadine’s forehead, where the bandage had slipped off. Though the wound had been treated, a long, angry mark remained.

The sight stabbed at Kylie’s heart.

Suddenly, memories of that stormy night flooded her mind—when the car had teetered on the edge of disaster, and a badly injured Shannon had mustered the last of her strength to push Kylie to safety.

Shannon’s once-elegant jacket was torn to shreds, her blood mixing with the rain-soaked ground below.

The recollection left Kylie shaken to her core. She tightened her hold on Nadine, her teeth clenched as she spoke with fierce determination.

“Nadine, don’t be afraid. I promise, I will stand up for you.”

Nadine sobbed harder, clutching her mother as if seeking protection from the cruel world.

Though the scene between mother and daughter seemed tender on the surface, there was a cold, unyielding fire burning in Kylie’s eyes.

—

Meanwhile, Tess and her companions were stepping out of the restaurant.

The Larsons, led by Abel, made their way toward the city’s most luxurious hotel to check in.

“I’ll come find you in a bit,” Abel said, opening the car doors for the two elders with a practiced charm. Then, casting a flirtatious glance at Tess, he slid into the driver’s seat.

Ugh… Disgusting.

She had planned to investigate what the Embers were up to and then focus on exposing Henry’s lies, hoping Nicholas’s family could finally be reunited.

She hadn’t expected the Larsons to show up and have Henry handle the press.

Lyra was the first to notice Tess’s discomfort.

She glanced at Tess, then turned to Ken.

The boy was in middle school but already taller than her.

“Ken, we need to talk about a few things. How about you let Lachlan show you around for a while, and we’ll use the office?”

She smiled warmly and ruffled Ken’s hair.

Shy as ever, Ken packed up his things. “Okay, I’ll wait for you guys.”

Lachlan stared at Lyra, stunned at being handed babysitting duty.

Is she really my superfan?

Lyra gave him a playful wink, silently asking for a favor.