Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce

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Tess’s back was stiff as a board, but she knew Finn was helping her and Layla. So she pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Without a word, he reached for her free right hand and gently placed two small pills in her palm.

They moved in silence, not even the hum of a breath between them.

But Layla was the priority now.

Whatever grudges she held had to wait. Tess turned and carefully fed the medicine to the little girl.

Layla, ever obedient, opened her mouth and swallowed them without fuss.

Only then did Tess finally exhale. The warmth on her face from a moment ago faded into cold distance.

Though every instinct in her resisted Finn, she couldn’t deny it was his help that got them through the worst just now. Still, no kindness could erase the past. With a cool expression, Tess walked away.

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A gesture of goodwill–however small–was nowhere near enough to settle old debts.

Her figure swiftly retreated several steps away.

A flicker of emotion crossed Finn’s eyes, but in the blink of an eye, he caught up with her.”

“The anti–diarrheal won’t work right away,” he said curtly.

His words worked like a charm. Tess paused.

“I’ll help you.”

Inside the hotel room.

“Get me a warm towel,” Finn instructed.

He carefully unwrapped Layla from her blanket. The once–spirited little girl now looked pale and drained, her tiny stomach letting out occasional gurgles.

Teas handed him the towel, then dropped to her knees beside the bed, pressing a hand to Layla’s forehead.

Still warm. Still normal.

She let out a slow, careful breath, but her chest remained tight.

Layla” she whispered.

Usually, the baby would giggle and reach for her fingers at the sound of her name. Now, she was still, eyes closed, and

unresponsive.

Tess felt like a taut wire about to snap. Panic flooded her chest at the thought—what if she lost her daughter?

She swallowed hard and turned the temperature higher. Her hands trembled as she began to wipe Layla’s body down gently.

Hasn’t the medicine kicked in yet? Why is Layla so weak?

Tess felt the world darken before her eyes until a hand gently pressed down over hers.

“Don’t be scared”

Tess jolted and yanked her hand away.

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10:27 AM

Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce

Finn felt the warmth disappear from his palm, and strangely, his chest hollowed out with it.

His

eyes dropped to his own hand, frozen midair.

That delicate touch–soft and cool–was gone.

But through those strands, her eyes still shone with unmistakable tenderness..

Finn, who had been standing nearby, felt something stir in his chest. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time. His eyes, almost against his will, stayed fixed on her.

They were still legally married, and yet here she was–gently comforting a child who might not even be his.

By all accounts, he should have felt bitter, Jealous. Resentful. But watching the quiet scene unfold, a strange sense of contentment began to settle over him.

For a fleeting moment, he found himself thinking, Maybe this isn’t so bad,

The thought startled him.

*Mama….

Layla babbled her tiny fingers twitching as she reached out at the air.

Maybe it was the unfamiliar face or childlike curiosity, but her big round eyes locked onto Finn. Clear and innocent.

So bright. So pure.

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10:27 AM P

Chapter 66 A Fragile Truce

He’d seen the clearest lake, but not even that could match the clarity in her gaze.

Finn’s heart gave a sudden jolt, frozen in that

very moment.

Why? Everyone said this child wasn’t his. He knew it shouldn’t be possible. Why did she look so much like him?

“Thank you for your help,” Tess said quietly, her tone polite but firm. “But it’s getting late; you should leave.”

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