Karma Doesn’t Sleep: The Revenge Queen Rises novel Chapter 273

“Penny, sweetheart, Momma Kristen’s here now, but I’m hurt and it really aches. It’s hard for me to talk right now. I’ll have Momma Kristen call you again tomorrow, okay?”

Kristen hit send and immediately set Penny’s messages to Do Not Disturb.

Penny was Amelia’s daughter by blood, but in Kristen’s hands, she was the sharpest weapon. All Kristen had to do was use the girl’s attachment to her, and she could get any information she wanted—and make Amelia’s life a living hell.

A knock sounded at the bathroom door.

Then Clive’s voice, low and steady.

“Kristen, I left some clothes and ointment by the door. Change and come out when you’re ready. I’m going to take a shower in the guest room.”

He pushed the door open just enough to slide the bag inside. As he pulled his hand back, a heavy thud echoed from the other side.

Clive’s brows snapped together. Worried, he swung the door open and rushed in.

Kristen was sprawled next to the tub, soaking wet. Her thin dress clung to her like a second skin, every line of her body on display. The pale skin of her chest peeked through the wet fabric.

Clive looked away, awkward and flustered.

Kristen, cheeks flushed, quickly wrapped her arms around herself and shrank into a ball. A sharp whimper escaped her lips.

Clive finally saw the angry, swollen burn on her thigh. It looked so much worse than he’d thought.

“Clive, just go. I can handle it,” she said, her voice shaky.

He frowned but didn’t budge. Instead, he grabbed a towel, draped it around her shoulders, and gently lifted her onto the bathroom counter.

He took her injured leg in his hands, carefully rolling up the dress to reveal the burn. Against her fair skin, it looked especially raw.

Clive’s eyes softened with worry.

“Donna really went overboard,” he muttered. He glanced at Kristen. “Let me put on the ointment. You don’t want a scar—girls shouldn’t have to deal with that.”

As he said it, his throat tightened. A memory flashed through his mind—Amelia’s thigh, marked forever by a deep, ugly scar.

He squeezed his eyes shut for a second, forcing the thought away. Then he focused on Kristen, gently smoothing the cool ointment over her skin with his callused fingertips.

Kristen watched him, unable to look away from his face.

“So, what brought you here tonight?” Clive asked quietly.

“Penny told me she and Timmy were staying at the Salmeron family’s old house tonight. She was worried about you being home alone, so she begged me to come check on you.” Kristen’s lips curled into a soft smile. “Honestly, who could say no to Penny? She’s such a little angel.”

Clive’s expression softened at the mention of their daughter.

She hopped down from the counter, but this time Clive caught her wrist.

“Amelia’s not here. Stay tonight. I’ll sleep in the guest room,” he said quietly. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll drive you to work.”

The West Medicine contract with Kristen was due at the office first thing in the morning.

“Okay. Whatever you say.” Kristen’s voice was soft and obedient.

For a second, Clive saw a flicker of the Amelia he once knew—the gentle, devoted woman who always listened to him.

He reached out, patted Kristen’s head, and then left.

Only after the bedroom door clicked shut did Kristen get down from the counter, moving without a hint of injury. The burn on her leg wasn’t as serious as it looked—she walked just fine and kicked aside the clothes Clive had picked for her.

She made her way to the walk-in closet, opened Amelia’s wardrobe, and dug through the rows of conservative pajamas until she found a long silk nightgown.

Kristen slipped it on and then climbed into the bed Amelia and Clive had shared for two years. She pulled out her phone, tugged the nightgown’s strap low off her shoulder, and snapped a selfie.

She sent it to Amelia in a private message, just for her eyes.

Caption: “This bed is so comfortable, and the nightgown fits just right. His scent is everywhere. I know I’ll have the sweetest dreams tonight.”