(Ash’s POV)I entered the room and saw that Freya was fast asleep with a blanket covering almost her head. I slowly approached the bed and sat down carefully. I was a little relieved because Freya seemed to be able to sleep soundly even though this was her first day staying at my house.I looked at Freya carefully. I never imagined myself loving the woman I once hated so much. This feeling of love grows bigger every time I see a different side of Freya that I have never seen before.She is caring, and soft, and always thinks of the people around her first before herself. Things I never saw in Stella. She always judged me on everything, without listening to my explanation first. Whether I was wrong or right, she didn't think about it at all.I want to keep Freya in my heart, just for me. But the situation was so difficult that I always felt restless and awry. One small step I take will have a big impact on several people, including me. My relationship with Stella, we have a son and I c
(Freya's POV)“Stella…”Ash was the first to stand up and approach her, looking panicked at Stella's sudden appearance. While I squeezed the handle of the chair feeling restless. I didn't know what to do when Stella suddenly came carrying her son. This makes me feel like a woman who is trying to steal her husband."Explain what's going on here, Ash!" she shouted in exploding anger.“Stella, calm down. I'll explain everything, but not here. There are a lot of little kids looking at it, aren't you embarrassed?” Ash tried to calm Stella's emotions, but Stella didn't seem to care.“That bitch… have you fallen for her cunning?!” she pointed right at my face. And my heart felt crushed."What is this!" Grandpa's voice sounded quite loud as the argument between us escalated. He pushed his wheelchair closer to Ash with an annoyed expression on his face.“Grandpa…”“What is this, Ash? Didn't I tell you to stop having a relationship with Stella? "You already have a wife and daughters," protested
(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
(Freya’s POV)“You're the one who should stay away from me, Stella.”It was Ash’s voice when the door opened. Both I and Stella were surprised to see him come out. But I could see how Stella looked more shocked than me.She froze, surprise etching her features. For a moment, she was a deer caught in headlights. I held my breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle on my shoulders. The silence stretched, and I could see the flicker of fear in Stella's eyes. It was a side of her I rarely witnessed—vulnerable, exposed.“Ash, you misheard me,” Stella stammered, her bravado cracking. “I wasn’t talking about—”“There’s nothing to mishear, Stella.” Ash’s tone hardened. “I’m tired of this charade. You keep acting like everything’s fine when it’s not.”My pulse quickened. This was escalating fast, and I could feel the tension radiating between them. I shifted uncomfortably, wondering if I should intervene. I hated confrontation, yet it was clear I couldn’t just stand by.“Maybe we should a
(Freya’s Pov)I sighed heavily. As I was declared the bride of Ash Knight. The man who was suddenly married to me because my younger sister refused and ran away from the marriage. Being an illegitimate daughter, I was always used as a replacement for my younger sister. I was called nothing but a bad blood, a pet of the house. I would be given orders that I have to follow just like a loyal dog does for his masters. Just like this replacement was an order from my step mom.“Today, you have to save our reputation by marrying Ash knight. I hope you understood my order, very well?” My step mom Mary spat her words with hatred. As much she hates me more than she loves her daughter Stella.With a nod, I agreed to take her place and follow her orders. But deep down the truth is that I had secretly loved him since college days. Back then, he was my sister's boyfriend, so I always hide my feelings. But today life played a trick on us, and here I am standing as his bride and Mrs.Knight. I wa
(FREYA'S POV)It's been 2 weeks since Ash and I had that hurtful argument. I threw myself into my work. It was my way of escaping the pain and the silence at home. He ignored me completely, always coming back late or drunk. He even moved his room to avoid seeing me. It felt like he didn't want anything to do with me.I kept wondering why he wouldn't give our marriage a chance. His actions made me feel rejected and alone. Our marriage seemed like it was just for show, not real at all. It hurt a lot.I sighed heavily, when my phone rang. It was Clara, my friend from college. I smiled as I answered, "Hey, Clara! What's up?"Clara's voice sounded annoyed."Freya, I just got an invitation to a welcome party.""Oh?" I replied, curious. "Whose party?""It's Stella's," Clara said cautiously.Stella. My half-younger sister, who had always seemed to resent me. "Stella's back?" I asked, trying to hide the unease in my voice."Yeah, she's back in town," Clara confirmed. "I thought you should know
(FREYA'S POV)"You really have no feelings, Ash," I whispered hoarsely. I could only stare at him with a face of disappointment. I bit my lower lip so hard that it hurt. Clenching my hands together, I held back the anger and sadness I was currently feeling."I don't care. I warned you not to get your hopes up with this marriage, but you seem very interested in becoming my wife. Are you in love with me?" he asked in a mocking tone that made my pride feel like it was being trampled on by him. And that made me even more angry and resentful towards him."Why would I love a heartless man like you?""In that case, good. We don't love each other. I was forced to marry you because of my grandmother and you were forced to marry me in place of your sister. Neither of us wants this marriage, so... sign the divorce papers right now!""Even after all the things you've done and said, you don't apologize or feel any guilt towards me? Are you really this evil?"I swallowed my saliva with difficulty.
(ASH'S POV)"Damn it!" I cursed angrily as yet another valuable project was snatched up by the Dental Science company. I don't know how many times this has happened, but I'm sick of seeing my company lose billions of dollars.How great is that company that everyone wants to work with so badly? Which science company is better than my company?"Damn it! I can't let this keep happening!" I threw the document I had been reading onto the table. Then I stomped out of my room."Everyone gather around!" I shouted to all my employees.I had to find out what was wrong with my company that all the projects I wanted were always failing. I could see the worried looks on all of their faces. And quickly, they stood neatly in front of me. With their heads bowed down without daring to look at me.Who would dare to look at me if I was angry like this?"Tell me, what happened that all our projects failed like this? Are you not doing your job properly?!" I snapped with a vein of anger in my neck. I could