Chapter 24 The Last Line
Chapter 24 The Last Line
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Tess’s heart clenched as she rushed forward and snatched Layla of the girl’s arms.
The young woman gave her a sweet smile. “Didn’t you say you were leaving? I’m just helping move things along.”
Tess stared at her in shock.
When they first met, she seemed shy and harmless. But now …
The girl standing in front of her, all charm and ease, felt like a complete stranger.
“Fine!”
Tess almost let out a laugh–half out of disbelief, half out of fury.
She wasn’t stupid.
No wonder Riven had insisted she come back herself.
She swept her gaze over the girl’s face, biting back regret for ever treating her kindly.
“If you touch any of my things again,” Tess said coldly, “you’ll regret it.”
Her voice turned cold and razor–sharp–dead serious.
The girl froze, completely taken aback. Fear flickered across her face.
Wasn’t this woman just some regular single mom? Where the hell was this overwhelming pressure coming from?
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While the girl stood there stunned, Tess clutched Layla in one arm and started throwing their belongings into a suitcase with the other.
She hadn’t lived here long and hadn’t bought anything new–most were baby items Layla used, so packing was quick.
Tess was a naturally gentle person.
But Layla was her last line.
The moment she saw that girl holding her baby with that nasty look on her face, her blood had surged straight to her head.
When she finally stepped out of the dorm with Layla in her arms, she found several of the women who’d always treated her kindly waiting outside. Bessie stood front and center.
They’d clearly heard the commotion from inside. When Tess opened the door, all of them shot cold, warning glances toward the girl.
The girl shrank back under the pressure and hurried to slam the door shut.
“Sweetheart!”
Bessie waved Tess over and grabbed her hand, shoving a large plastic bag into it. “We heard about what happened, that they let you go. We don’t have much, but we all chipped in and got a few things for the baby.”
Tess’s nose stung. She tried to decline, but Bessie gave her a glare. “Don’t even try to say no. You know how hard it is to return stuff these days. And it’s for Layla Don’t insult us by turning it down.”
With that, she looped the bag over Tess’s suitcase handle and gave it a firm pat, satisfied.
“Everyone, thank you so much for taking care of me, Tess said and gave them a deep nod of thanks.
Once a tycoon’s wife and a top lawyer, she was now working as a janitor. The fall had been crushing–but the warmth of these kind, down–to–earth women helped her get through it.
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Chapter 24 The Last Line
Owner now don’t get all emotional. It’s what neighbors do.
Bee raned her voice for the group.
#yow ever moc you can always come back and visit
Ak grow go fast. I wanna see how beautiful Layla gets as she grows!”
up
The women joked and teased, trying to lighten the mood and take the sting out of the farewell.
Tes left under their watchful eyes. Even tough–as–nails, Bessie had tears in hers.
Alright, alright–the show’s over. Back to work, all of you!”
She wiped her eves and waves them off
Mokhing Layla with one arm and dragging a suitcase with the other, Tess wandered aimlessly along the street.
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She soon found a cheap apartment listing on a rental app and was just about to pay for half a month upfront, when her mobile banking app refused to process the payment.
After a moment’s hesitation, she made her way toward the nearest bank.
She could pay the landlord in cash.
When she reached the ATM, she slid in her card. Error.
The screen refused to process her withdrawal.
Her brows furrowed.
Didn’t Vanessa say her salary had been deposited this morning?
Feeling increasingly unsettled, she called her.
“I already processed payroll this morning. If the money’s not showing up, it’s your card’s problem, not mine. I’ve got the transaction confirmation right here—don’t try to play games. You think you’re getting double pay or something?”
Her voice was laced with mockery and suspicion, every word sharp and grating.
Tess’s chest tightened/with panic. A terrible suspicion started to form. She hung up on Vanessa and rushed to find a bank teller.
After checking her account, the staff gave her the result. Her card had been frozen.
“When?” she asked, her voice barely steady.
“Around noon today.”
Tess staggered back a step, nearly collapsing on the spot.
The sun blazed overhead, her vision swimming. Or maybe it wasn’t the sun making her dizzy.
She shielded Layla from the harsh light, but it felt like she was sinking–like some invisible web was tightening around her chest, pulling her into a black hole with no air
The sunlight beat down on her pale skin. Sweat broke out across her forehead, but still, she shivered.
Who else could freeze her account without her permission? Only Finn. There was no one else.
Tess but her lip, eyes rimmed red–not from sorrow, but from a white–hot fury.
Did he really have to crush her and Layla like this? Did he want to push them off a cliff and make sure they never got back up?
Clutching Layla close, Tess felt the smooth sidewalk beneath her feet turn jagged and impossible.
