Karma Doesn’t Sleep: The Revenge Queen Rises novel Chapter 126

Penny hopped down from her grandmother’s lap and bounced straight over to Clive, who had just come in behind Amelia.

“Daddy, we’re supposed to take a family photo. Teacher said so.”

“Alright, let’s do it.” Clive caught Penny before she could run off, then looked over at Amelia, who was standing a few steps away. “Go ask your mom to join us.”

You couldn’t call it a family photo without everyone in it.

Penny made a face, obviously not thrilled, but with Clive giving her that look she couldn’t say no to, she just huffed, dragged her feet over to Amelia, and mumbled, “Dad says you have to be in the picture too.” She didn’t even wait for a response before dashing off.

Daniel ended up being the one behind the camera.

Grandma sat right in the middle, with Timmy and Penny on either side of her. Next to them were Klaus and Mrs. Salmeron, then Caroline beside Mrs. Salmeron. Amelia and Clive stood in the back, leaving a pretty obvious gap between them.

When Daniel showed Grandma the photo, she wasn’t having it. She gave Clive the side-eye.

“You two are so far apart, you could fit another person in there. If someone didn’t know better, they’d think you two were just pretending to be married.” Grandma could sense the tension from a mile away.

She’d always known Clive was the one in control in this relationship. She was sure he’d upset Amelia again.

“Clive, you brat, put your arm around your wife!”

Amelia turned bright red and was about to protest, but Clive moved faster. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her in close with one smooth motion.

He didn’t look at her, just met Grandma’s gaze with a helpless shrug. “Is this better, Grandma?”

Grandma grumbled but nodded. “That’s more like it. Clive, let me tell you, men who treat their wives well are the ones who really make it in life, you know that?”

Clive laughed. “Got it.”

Amelia could only stare at him, speechless.

They were so close now that she could feel every inch of Clive’s body against hers. As Grandma turned to face the camera, Amelia tried to inch away, but Clive’s arm just tightened around her.

“Let me guess, Clive put you up to speaking for Kristen?” Grandma’s tone was all outrage. “That boy’s lost his mind. Imagine making his own wife stand up for that woman—what’s he thinking?”

“It’s not because of him,” Amelia said quietly, but honestly.

It really wasn’t. She didn’t want Grandma dragged into company drama—not because she minded help, but because she didn’t want Grandma getting too attached to her marriage with Clive. Soon enough, they’d be divorced, and the more Grandma cared, the more it would hurt later. And then there was Penny. Penny was still too close to Kristen. If Amelia wanted to get through to her, she needed to take things slow, not force her to cut ties right away.

But of course, Grandma didn’t know all that.

From where she stood, Amelia just looked hopelessly in love with Clive, willing to bend over backwards for him.

Grandma let out a long sigh, squeezed Amelia’s hand, and said gently, “Alright, since you asked, I’ll try to keep out of company business from now on. But you keep an eye on Kristen, you hear me? If Clive ever lets that woman come between you two and makes you feel bad, you come straight to me. I’ll set them both straight.”

Amelia’s smile turned soft and real. “Okay, Grandma.”

Grandma’s place was just ahead. With Tara there to keep her company, Amelia walked her to the door, then watched her go inside.