Chapter 82 Evermount Vi Isn’t Their Home


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    Chapter 82 Evermount Vi Isn’t Their Home


    Tess’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly averted her gaze.


    Meanwhile, Finn kept his eyes fixed on her face.


    “That’s twice now, Tess.”


    His words caught herpletely off guard, and her hands froze mid–motion.


    Twice? What did he <i>mean</i>?


    Confused, she looked up and met his unreadable gaze.


    In the next moment, it clicked.


    The first time was when La had diarrhea at the hotel, and he had helped take care of her.


    Now was the second–La had been kidnapped, and again, she was troubling him for help in the middle of the night. Tess’s lips twitched. “I’ll take La and leave tomorrow.”


    “You misunderstood me.”


    Finn casually pulled out a chair and sat down.


    La, now full and energized, was squirming and babbling in his arms. But despite her restlessness, he held her securely. The sight of a man in a suit holding a baby with a pacifier should’ve looked absurd–but strangely, it looked… right. Tess blinked and softened her tone. “What do you mean then?”


    “Max isn’t wrong about one thing–you and La aren’t safe out there alone. And Aetheris belongs to the Locks.”


    He sounded arrogant, but Tess didn’t argue–because he wasn’t wrong.


    The Locks were the wealthiest family in Aetheris, and they controlled the city’s entire economy.


    Under his protection, she wouldn’t have to keep running with La, constantly in fear.


    Tess’s gaze dimmed.


    She had believed that she could raise La safely and give her a good life on her own.


    But after the kidnapping, she was forced to reevaluate everything.


    Could she really protect La?


    Max could send his men to snatch La right out of her arms, bold as hell


    —


    and she was helpless against him.


    Tess began to slump as if a heavy weight had been ced on her shoulders. Even breathing felt difficult.


    Finn noticed the shift in her demeanor. His voice softened instinctively. “You’re my wife, Evermount Vi is always your home


    His tone turned gentle, almost coaxing.


    “No”


    Tess shook her head.


    Finn was taken aback.


    She bit her lip, then gently lifted La out of his arms.


    Chapter 82 Evermount Vi Isn’t Their Home


    Finn stared into her eyes and asked, “Why?”


    Tess took a step back, putting space between them.


    “Evermount Vi isn’t my home. And it isn’t La’s either,” she said.


    A flicker of emotion crossed Finn’s face, while Tess gave a bitter smile.


    She had almost forgotten that she had lost everything due to the man standing in front of her.


    He had sent her to prison in the name of justice, without hesitation.


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    He had stood by while Nadine bullied her, even forcing her to be humiliated at Lock Tower’s lobby where she once worked.


    A cold chill ran up her spine, and her gaze turned icy.


    “I’ll leave with La tomorrow,” she said with a straight face.


    Then, without waiting for Finn’s response, Tess turned and walked away.


    Her movements stirred a gentle breeze in her wake.


    Finn’sshes trembled. He looked up–and for some reason, the kitchen suddenly felt colder.


    Tess was already gone. A momentter, the sharp m of a door echoed through the vi.


    He stared at the tightly shut door, his expression growing darker by the second.


    He could’ve easily kept Tess at Evermount Vi, whether she agreed or not.


    Bui-


    Finn couldn’t stop thinking of Tess‘ resolute look.


    With a heavy sigh, he instinctively reached for a cigarette–then paused, remembering the woman and child still inside the house. Silently, he lowered his hand and rubbed his temples instead.


    Forget it.


    The kitchen lights stayed on until dawn.


    Finn didn’t sleep a wink. When the first rays of morning light spilled into the vi, he cast one final nce toward Tess‘ room before leaving for the office.


    Tess stirred as sunlight brushed against her cheek.


    La was still asleep, so she moved carefully and quietly packed up.


    When she opened the bedroom door, the vi was still and silent.


    Tess peeked out cautiously, scanning the hallway. Once she was sure Finn wasn’t around, she rolled the suitcase out.


    She couldn’t help but worry he might send someone to stop her–his absence made things easier.<fn6550> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find?novel</fn6550>


    La was already awake when she returned to the room. The baby was rubbing her eyes and smiling up at her.


    Tess felt a sharp pang in her chest.


    All she had ever wanted was to give La a safe, stable life. Instead, she had dragged her through chaos and fear.


    Yet La remained sweet and understanding.


    Tess gathered her into her arms and held her close.


    Their hearts beat in sync, and some of the heaviness in Tess’s heart melted away.