Imprisoned While Pregnant, She's Back for Payback novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88 It’s You

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Tess’s beauty immediately drew the attention of nearby mothers who were chatting idly. One of them, holding her own baby, warmly struck up a conversation.

“Hey there–out getting some fresh air with your little one too?”

The woman had a charming smile and refined features.

For some reason, Tess felt an unexpected sense of warmth and familiarity. She responded with a polite smile. “Yes, she’s been cooped up indoors too long. I thought a bit of sunshine would do her good.”

Upon hearing that, the woman leaned over to peek into Layla’s stroller.

Layla blinked up at her with wide eyes, instantly softening the woman’s expression.

“She’s adorable,” the woman gushed with affection, then bounced the little boy in her own arms and leaned in closer. “You must live nearby too? Look at my boy–he’s going to be a heartbreaker when he grows up. How about we pair them up early? You and I seem destined to meet, after all.”

She ended the sentence with a wink. Her tone had that unmistakable playfulness of someone trying to seal a cheeky deal.

Tess let out an awkward laugh, unsure how to respond. “I’m actually just staying at a nearby inn … and she’s still very young. I think I’ll leave decisions like that up to her.”

“Okay then.”

The woman sighed in mock disappointment.

Just then, a lazy teasing male voice drifted over from behind them.

“You really think he’s gonna have that much trouble finding a wife?”

Tess instinctively turned to look. The woman, however, didn’t even glance back. She coughed lightly and snapped, “What? Did you come all the way to Aetheris just to annoy me?”

The man shrugged. “That’s the fifth mom you’ve tried matchmaking with this month.“”

With the arrival of a third person, Tess–clearly an outsider in the conversation–felt the awkward tension. She was just about to excuse herself politely when a tall shadow suddenly loomed over her.

“Well, I have to say,” the man drawled with a grin, “you’ve finally shown some good taste this time.”

The young man stood with both hands tucked casually into his pockets. His hair was slightly tousled, casting shadows over his eyes, and he carried a languid air that hinted at wealth or privilege.

Tess frowned slightly at his comment, her instincts already urging her to leave.

“Excuse me,” she said with a polite smile. “I’ll take the baby for a walk.”

Her pleasant tone made the man glance down at her, almost absentmindedly.

The moment his eyes met hers, he froze.

Abel Shaw stared at the woman standing just a few feet away, his pupils narrowing in shock.

His gaze traced the lines of her face. Her familiar features struck him like lightning.

Lucille Fletcher, noticing the strange expression on her distant cousin’s face, gave him a puzzled look, “What? Did you step on a nail or something?”

Abel didn’t respond. Completely ignoring etiquette, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Tess’s wrist, as though terrified she might vanish if he let go.

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Chapter 88 It’s You

“It’s you.”

Tess’s frown deepened at the unwelcome touch.

Abel’s eyes were filled with emotions he tried hard to suppress.

Tess’s irritation instantly vanished the moment their gazes met. It was as if something inside her had been pried open. Panic welled up, and she instinctively took a step back, putting distance between them.

“You’ve got the wrong person.”

Abel didn’t let go. In fact, he stepped closer.

Lucille noticed his strange behavior and couldn’t help but glance at Tess a few more times.

What’s going on?

What kind of woman could make him lose composure like this?

The three of them now stood in the middle of the park, attracting curious glances from people walking by.

Lucille discreetly tugged on Abel’s sleeve and shot him a warning look.

He had come to Aetheris under a hidden identity. The last thing he needed was to draw attention.

Internally, Lucille sighed.

Finally, Abel seemed to realize what he was doing. His long lashes trembled slightly, and after a brief pause, he reluctantly let go of Tess’s wrist. “I’m sorry,” he muttered.

Those two simple words made Lucille’s eyes widen in disbelief. She stared back and forth between the two of them.

What?!

Did the sun rise from the west today? The heir to the Shaws is apologizing?

“You two

know each other?” Lucille couldn’t help but ask.

Just a few weeks ago, her husband had introduced Abel to her and asked her to play the role of his distant cousin to help keep his identity under wraps.

She had heard of the Shaws. Their reputation was legendary, and Abel’s arrogance was even more so. The man barely acknowledged people, let alone apologized to them.

Tess, however, didn’t react much. Her expression remained calm, though slightly puzzled. But Abel… Abel was still looking at her as if waiting or hoping for a response.

Tess shook her head. “No. We’ve never met.”

In an instant, the light in Abel’s eyes dimmed.

Lucille was even more stunned.

Then, a thought struck her.

Rumor had it that the young heir of the Shaw once had a first love who died young. Could it be…?

Her mind raced at the realization, and she glanced between them again.

What a shame she’s married. And with a child, too,

Tess shifted uncomfortably under their strange stares. There was no hostility, but something definitely felt off, and she had no intention of staying to figure out what it was.

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Chapter 89 You Don

Chapter 89 You Don’t Remember Me?

“I really have to go now.”

Do I even know you? You’ve been following me non–stop, and now you’re asking why?

Doesn’t that hurt? I could’ve paid for his medical fees ….

What is going on today? Why is everyone acting so strange…

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He stared at her flawless face, and that overwhelming sense of familiarity surged through him like a current running from his fingertips straight to his heart. Aside from the faint scar on her cheek …

Abel’s heart skipped a beat. The calm in his eyes gave way to something intense.

He had believed she was dead. And now–here she was, alive, standing right in front of him.

He quickly raised his hands in a show of innocence. “I swear I mean no harm. Let’s just introduce ourselves. I’m Abel Shaw, And you are

”

Lucille came hurrying over and chimed in, “I can vouch for him!”

Watching the two of them echo each other in perfect sync, Tess suddenly felt drained.

“I don’t care what your name is, and I’m not telling you mine.”

Forget it. Let them follow. It’s not like they’d chase me to my place.

With that, she pushed Layla’s stroller forward again, strolling at an unhurried pace.

Abel lit up and quietly matched her pace.

He opened his mouth to say something, then stopped.

“Um… is she your child?” he finally blurted out awkwardly.

“Yeah,” Tess answered casually.

Abel stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes widened in disbelief. “She’s yours? Not your niece or anything? You have a kid?”

Tess shot him a look that clearly said, Duh.

Layla may have resembled Finn more, but anyone with eyes could tell they were mother and daughter.

Abel looked as if his world had just collapsed. His shoulders drooped, and he lowered his head.

His fists clenched silently.

I was too late.

Still, after a brief wave of grief and disappointment, his expression hardened. He lifted his head again, his tone firmer now, “Where’s the father? Why are you out here alone with a baby? You don’t even have a nanny?”

Tess blinked, taken aback by the sudden interrogation.

She didn’t have the money for a nanny.

But looking at these two–clearly from wealthy families–it wasn’t a surprising thing for them to ask.

Still, it did sound a bit like “Let them eat cake“.

“We’re getting divorced,” she replied.

Abel visibly perked up, stepping in like he’d just heard the best news all day. “When is the date?”

Tess‘ eyes widened.

What kind of reaction is that?

Her silence seemed to make Abel more anxious. He scratched his head, clearly growing frustrated. Lucille, watching him from the side, sighed heavily.

Where’s that cold, arrogant heir now?