Karma Doesn’t Sleep The Revenge Queen Rises novel Chapter 520

Clive let go of her hand like nothing had happened. “You’re still up? Did Penny fall asleep?”

“Yeah, she’s out. I just wanted to be with you for a bit.”

Kristen’s eyes were full of warmth as she walked behind Clive, her hands gently kneading the tense muscles in his neck and scalp. She was good at this. Back when she was his assistant, Kristen used to help him unwind like this after long days at work.

Gradually, Clive felt his nerves settle. He let himself lean into her touch, the stress melting away.

Kristen spoke softly. “Clive, I talked to Penny earlier. How about we let Amelia take her home tomorrow night for a sleepover? She’s her mom, she should get some time with her. Whatever’s going on with us adults, it shouldn’t affect Penny. Blood’s thicker than water, you know? And I really don’t want you stuck in the middle anymore.”

Right then, Kristen just looked so gentle and understanding.

Clive opened his eyes and really looked at her. For a second, all his defenses dropped.

He knew how much Kristen had cared for Penny all these years. But just because of a few things Amelia said, he’d started doubting Kristen, even treated her badly. Yet here she was, still putting Penny first, even encouraging time with her birth mom.

A wave of guilt washed over him. He reached out, took Kristen’s hand, and kissed the back of it softly.

“Thank you,” he murmured.

Kristen rested her hands on his shoulders and kissed his forehead. “Don’t thank me. If there’s anything I can do to make you happier, to take a little weight off your shoulders, I’ll do it. Always.”

She held his gaze, biting her lip. “Clive, Penny’s completely out. As long as I’m back before she wakes up…”

Clive’s eyes darkened. He wasn’t an idiot—he knew exactly what she meant.

When he didn’t say no, Kristen slid onto his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

Kristen figured he was in the mood for something different. She turned around, slipped out of her clothes, and put on the dress right there in front of him. She barely had time to turn back before Clive, desperate and unable to wait, pulled her onto the bed, his need for her spilling over.

Clive clenched his eyes shut for a moment.

That dress—Amelia had worn it for him once. Back then, he’d said something cruel about the scar on her leg, words he could never take back. Now, he’d never get the chance to see her in it again.

He lost himself in Kristen that night, reckless and unrestrained.

Kristen woke up in Clive’s arms. She was sore—he hadn’t been gentle, not by a long shot. Most of the night, she’d been pressed into the mattress, unable to see his face. Still, she felt satisfied.

She kissed him on the cheek, slipped quietly out of bed, took a quick shower, and then walked down the hall to check on Penny.