Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 77

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Chapter 77 A Race Against Time

Chapter 77 A Race Against Time

Her voice was sharp and frantic, setting Finn’s jaw tighter by the second.

“What on earth happened?” He questioned harshly.

“Layla’s gone.”

Tess forced herself to stay calm, but her voice trembled with panic.

“Sit down. Talk me through it.”

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Finn could tell this was seriously wrong. In his mind flashed the image of the baby who had smiled at him, babbling sweetly. His chest tightened at the thought.

“There’s no time! The Wintergale Hotel–something was off from the start. That receptionist had her eyes on Layla. You’ve got power, right? Use it. Look into the hotel staff, their background–this has to be connected!”

Tess grew more agitated as she spoke, gripping the front of his tailored shirt until it was a wrinkled mess.

“Got it.” Finn’s eyes flicked down to her clenched fist on his chest but didn’t push her away. Instead, he pulled out his phone and called Zane immediately.

In just a few sentences, he explained the situation. Once Zane began giving orders on the other end, Finn finally hung up and reached for Tess’s hand.

Her skin was ice cold and it jolted him.

She didn’t pull away this time.

Clearly still trapped in her fear of losing Layla, her eyes were wide with dread, her emotions teetering on the edge.

“Zane’s good at what he does. We’ll hear something soon,” Finn reassured.

“No.”

Tess turned to face him, eyes burning with determination. “Lend me a car. I need to look for her myself.”

Their eyes met, sharp and intense. Finn’s heart sank.

“It’s late. Are you sure? It’s not safe out there alone … ‘

“The keys. Now.”

Tess’s voice was cold and cutting, her grip on his collar fierce.

She stood her ground with fierce resolve, leaving no room for argument. And yet, the faint tremble in her body betrayed a fragile vulnerability that tugged at the heart.

Finn barely hesitated before giving in. “I’ll go with you,” he said quietly.

He took her hand and led her toward the garage, tucking it against his side as they walked.

Tess felt his warmth seep into her arm, but Layla came first. She didn’t shake him off–at least, not right away. Once they reached the car, she yanked her hand back and slipped into the passenger seat without a word.

Finn glanced down at his empty palm, something unreadable flickering in his eyes before he climbed behind the wheel.

“Tess,” he said as he started the engine, his tone low, edged with frustration. “You’re asking me for help.”

Whet

She glanced at Finn instinctively.

I had told him previously that Layla wasn’t his child. So why… why is he still doing all this?

Tess bit down hard on her lip, but the pain didn’t register. When the metallic taste of blood seeped into her mouth, she finally snapped out of her daze.

If you want to thank me, Finn said, eyes never leaving the road, “then once Layla’s found, come back to Evermount Villa with me

He’d caught the shift in her emotions, noticed the tension radiating from her frame, and raised an eyebrow as he spoke.

Tess turned her face away and didn’t respond.

Finn pressed his lips into a tight line but didn’t push it.

The air in the car grew beavy again, thick with silence.

Soon they pulled up to the Wintergale Hotel. Zane was already there, along with several investigators, surrounding the front desk area with a hurrian wall.

As the two stepped out of the car, Zane rushed forward and greeted them. “Mr. and Mrs. Lock!”

Finn waved him off His gaze was sharp and cold. “Anything new?”

Zane’s face arrised with discomfort as he shook his head.

Tess’s face went even paler

“Show me. Fins mattered, his brows furrowed even deeper as he stepped forward.