CHAPTER 76

(Freya's POV)

I was stunned. The sound of the slap seemed to echo in my head as if it stopped the seconds of time around me. Never once had I seen Ash angry at Stella -his face was so dark, full of anger that he could no longer hide. While Stella staggered back, her face paled, staring at Ash with infinite hatred.

"You slapped me?!" She shouted loudly, glaring in disbelief. "After everything we've been through, you dare slap me for that bitch?!"

Ash ignored her. His gaze remained cold, full of anger, as if the slap was just the beginning of a pent-up explosion.

"This isn't about her," he said sharply. "It's about you never knowing your limits, Stella. About you always involving innocent people in your mess."

"Ash..." I tried to speak, but my voice was drowned out by the tension between them. Ash didn't look at me, his focus was only on Stella.

Stella rubbed her cheeks, her eyes flashing with vengeance. "You'll regret doing this to me, Ash!" She stomped away from us.

The threat hung in