Novels by Joycepen

CHAPTER 093POV FREYAFreya’s POVThe hospital corridors were quieter now, but the silence didn’t comfort me. It felt like judgment, heavy, endless, and cold.The flashing lights from the police cars outside still burned behind my eyes. I could still hear the sound of the doors slamming, Alan’s faint smile as he was taken away traumatized me.That image wouldn’t leave me.Kaiden’s hand rested lightly on my shoulder as we walked toward the elevator. His touch used to calm me, but now it only made me tense.“You shouldn’t have run out like that,” he said softly, his voice perfectly measured, the same calm he always used when I was falling apart. “You’re not well enough to be on your feet.”I didn’t answer.“Freya,” he continued, guiding me inside the elevator, “listen to me. What Alan did... what he’s done. it’s not your fault. You did what you had to do.”I finally turned to face him, my voice barely a whisper. “He saved her, Kaiden.”His eyes narrowed slightly. “What?”“Bibi,” I said

CHAPTER 092POV FREYABut I didn't say that, I didn't say anything. It was all in my head.The air in the hospital room grew heavier the longer the police waited for my answer. I could feel their eyes on me, patient but expectant. The sound of the heart monitor echoed faintly, it was a soft, steady rhythm that didn’t belong to me.Kaiden’s hand was still in mine, warm and reassuring, even though he hadn’t opened his eyes since they came in. I didn’t know if he was truly asleep or just pretending, but I could feel his breath against my wrist. It was slow, measured as if he was Listening.The taller officer cleared his throat politely. “Mrs. Grayson, I understand this is emotional, but your statement is crucial. You were close to both Mr. Kaiden Grayson and his cousin Alan Grayson. We need your honest opinion on who do you think had motive to harm Damien Grayson?”My lips trembled. “I… I don’t know,” I murmured.“Please, ma’am. The board will make decisions based on your words. Was ther

Chapter 091Kaiden’s POVThe first thing they teach you about control is that it’s not about force. It’s about timing. The right word, the right hesitation, the right touch and that’s all it takes to build a leash around someone’s heart. Freya had always been that kind of person. Soft. Empathetic. Desperate to believe that love could fix anything, even rot.I’d known since the moment she raised her voice at me that night, that I was losing her. And when Freya starts to lose faith, she doesn’t shout. She gets quiet. Detached. She begins to think. And a woman who starts thinking can ruin everything.That’s why I did what I did.The crash was never meant for her.The plan had been simple, Bibi drops her ball because of a planned crow attack, the car crosses the road, brakes fail and panic sets the narrative. I’d already paid off the mechanic, the driver, even the first responder who’d leak the “accident” story. Bibi was supposed to be the target.I hated that little brat. Every time I sa

CHAPTER 090POV FREYAThe morning began the same way most of them did lately, with noise. The clatter of dishes in the kitchen, the echo of Rose calling out for someone to take the trash, and the faint sound of cartoons spilling from the living room where Bibi sat cross legged on her pink couch, her pink backpack beside her.It should have been peaceful. It should have been one of those ordinary mornings that passed without thought. But instead, my head was still pounding from the whole situation. Kaiden’s voice low and sweet one moment, sharp the next, convincing me Alan had something to do with Damien’s accident.I wanted to scream. Not because I didn’t believe him, but because I didn’t want to. I was tired of being manipulated into seeing everyone through his lens.He’d promised he would show up at Bibi’s parent meeting today, he’d even kissed my forehead when I asked, pretending to look sincere.Now, as I tied Bibi’s shoelaces and fixed the ribbon on her hair, I could already feel

CHAPTER 089POV FREYAMorning came too soon.I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard Kaiden’s voice again. It was the soft, persuasive, threaded with poison words that felt like lies. He said all I had to do was testify. To Say his name. And it rang in my head all night long.The sound of clattering dishes downstairs pulled me back to the present. Bibi’s laughter followed, bright and innocent, the only thing in this house that still felt pure.I dragged myself out of bed, brushing my hair into a loose ponytail before glancing at the mirror. I looked fine. Tired, but fine. That was all that mattered.When I went downstairs, Rosa was already setting the breakfast table. “Good morning, ma’am,” she said cheerfully, arranging the cutlery. “Mr. Kaiden said to make something special today.”“Special?” I repeated.“Yes. He said it’s a birthday breakfast.”I frowned. “His birthday isn’t until two days from now.”Rosa smiled awkwardly. “He said it doesn’t matter that you wanted to

Chapter 088POV FREYA I forced a small smile. “No. In fact, I was just thinking we should celebrate something.”That caught him off guard. “Celebrate?”I nodded quickly, trying to shift the conversation. “i planned a little something just for the two of us."He blinked, the sharp edge in his expression softening. “honestly I'm surprised You remembered.”“Of course I did,” I said lightly. “So I thought… we could celebrate early. Just us.”For a moment, something like genuine warmth crossed his face. Then he reached out, hand resting on my waist. “You always know how to make me feel special, Freya.”I smiled faintly, trying not to show how his touch made me stiffen. “That’s kind of the point.”He leaned closer, voice dropping lower. “What did I do to deserve you?”I wanted to answer, but the truth would’ve ruined the moment. So I didn’t.Instead, I busied myself setting the table. The lights dimmed naturally as dusk crept through the windows. I’d cooked earlier, not knowing why I bothe