Early evening arrived and Freya returned to the hospital with Noah. As Diego lay on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the muted TV and lost in thoughts, the door cracked open, revealing Freya and Noah.Diego’s eyes immediately found Freya’s, scanning her face for answers. His expression was calm but with a hint of concern.As soon as they walked into the hospital room, hand-in-hand, Noah’s face lit up in excitement, seeing Diego sitting up slightly in bed, his eyes open and alert.“Diego!” he exclaimed, his small feet pattering against the tiled floor as he ran to his bedside. “You’re awake now! I’ve been waiting for you to wake up!”Diego averted his confused gaze from Freya to Noah, his eyes brightening with relief and gratitude.“Buddy”, he whispered, his gaze softening. He smiled despite the ache in his body, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He reached out a hand, and Noah grasped it eagerly, his tiny fingers clutching Diego’s with enthusiasm and surprising strength.Freya s
Diego sat propped up in the hospital bed, the room around him quiet except for the faint hum of the machines monitoring his vitals, and the outdated TV mounted in the corner.His eyes frantically darted to the wall-clock every second, as if expecting someone. The seconds stretched into minutes, and the minutes felt like hours.It had been 48 hours since he last heard from Freya. Two days without a single call, message, or word. Freya was never out of reach for this long. His chest tightened at the thought, his mind spiraling through worst-case scenarios. Was she okay? Had something happened?He rubbed his temples, trying to push the thoughts away, but his worry only deepened. He hadn’t seen Noah in days either. There was only silence and he wondered where they were. Their sudden nonchalance was the last thing he had expected on the fifth day of his hospital stay.The afternoon sun slipped through the blinds, casting long, golden shadows across the sterile walls. To numb the pain he wa
Freya’s sleek red car glided to a stop in the grand driveway of Desmond's mansion, the quiet hum of the engine fading into silence. Her driver rushed out of the car to hold the door for her and Freya stepped out with an air of quiet confidence, her long coat flowing behind her like a cape. Her black stiletto heels clicked on the polished stone driveway as she gently guided Noah out of the car. Freya took a minute to drink in the sight of Desmond's house; a house which had become a hellhole for her and her son. Then she realized it'd been a year since she last stepped foot in Desmond's house. Noah clung to her hand, his wide eyes fixed on the enormous mansion towering before them. A mansion he was well familiar with— his father's. He stared hard at the elegant estate, his mind reeling with flashbacks of the previous years. “Mom? Are we really coming back to this house?” he asked, his tone laced with uncertainty. “Yes, sweetie. It's for the best”, Freya whispered, her express
7:45 AMThe morning light streamed through the curtains, bathing Desmond's elegant dining room in a soft, golden glow. All three of them— Freya, Desmond and Noah— sat at the dining table, having breakfast.Freya sat at the far end of the long table, as far from Desmond as she could manage without making it obvious. Her hands curled around a steaming cup of tea that she barely sipped. Her gaze was distant, fixed on the untouched plate of eggs and toast before her. Next to her, Noah sat stiffly, his small hands folded on his lap. His usual lively energy was now replaced by a sense of tension. His jaw was clenched, and just like his mother, his food was untouched.Desmond sat at the opposite end of the table, his chair angled just enough to give him a commanding view of the two of them. He seemed to be the only one enjoying his breakfast. Acting oblivious to the charged atmosphere, he cut into his pancakes with pleasure.The sound of the knife scraping against the plate filled the room
In the quiet hospital room, the steady beep of the heart monitor was the only sound accompanying the soft hum of fluorescent lights overhead. And Diego lay propped against the pillows, his face pale and his smokey eyes sunken, matching his condition.His body was weary and strained from the reopening of his wound which would take a longer time to heal. Now, his movements were more restricted by the bandages tightly wrapped around his torso. His skin was pale and clammy, and his hair disheveled. But despite his physical exhaustion, his mind was racing with thoughts of Freya.He couldn't understand why she had betrayed him, why she had gone back to Desmond after everything they had been through together. He knew that Freya had no emotional connection with Desmond, he was certain of that. So why had she made the decision to return to him, to go back to her miserable life with him?In just one year, Diego had compensated Freya for all the depressing years she had spent in a marriage with
9:12 PMFreya sat on her bed, her laptop open in front of her as she stared out the window at the glittering night view of New York City. The lights of the skyscrapers twinkled like stars, casting a magical glow over the city. But Freya's gaze was distant, her mind consumed by thoughts of Diego and the pain she had caused him.She knew he was hurting. Anyone would feel hurt and angry if they were in his condition. How could she abandon him in the hospital and go back to the man who almost took his life?It had been a week since she last spoke to Diego and that thought unsettled her to the core. She left without a warning, and she wished she had told him first. But he would only stop her, and assure her they would fight Desmond together.Her heart went out to him, and a pang of guilt gripped her throat. A wave of despair and anguish came crashing on her as she imagined Diego's crestfallen face.Letting out a deep sigh, she averted her gaze to her laptop, deciding to let the research s
Freya stepped out of the car and onto the driveway, her heels clicking on the pavement. She was dressed in a crisp, tailored suit, her chestnut hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail — the attire she had put on for work. Despite her polished appearance, exhaustion etched lines on her face, and her eyes seemed to hold a deep-seated weariness.She had gone several places that day, meeting with realtors and potential business partners to set her plans of opening her own restaurant in motion. She also stopped by the food truck at Desmond's workplace to check up on her employee and oversee the activities there. And now, all her energy had been spent.The front door creaked open, and Freya stepped into the dimly lit foyer of the mansion. Right there, before she could take another step, she spotted Desmond.He stood near the staircase, his broad frame slightly hunched, the faintest shadow of hope flickering in his sapphire eyes. "Welcome home, Wife”, he said softly, his voice laced with an
Freya wearily sank into the couch in the living room, staring blankly at the TV screen. The show being displayed on the TV was once her favorite TV show, one she and Diego had enjoyed together. But now, it held no interest to her. Her eyes were sunken and her expression dim. Desmond had gone to work, Noah was at school, and since she hadn't been able to go to work, she was stuck with the boring TV show. The mansion was eerily quiet, with Desmond’s staff moving about in their usual hushed manner. She let out a despondent sigh, her mind wandering as it often did these days. Just then, the doorbell rang and the sound broke her trance. Her brows furrowed slightly as she wasn’t expecting anyone that morning. Visitors were rare, and anyone with business usually went to Desmond's office instead. None of the staff heard the doorbell so Freya volunteered to get the door. Slowly, she rose to her feet and strode towards the door. The minute she opened the door, her heart stopped. Her
Diego stopped a few feet away, tilting his head. A sly smile was plastered on his face, and he locked hands with Freya, who mirrored his smile."Well, well," he mused, his voice laced with satisfaction. "What do we have here?”In unison, Freya and Diego laughed, deliberately jeering at Desmond. Diego shook his head, reveling in Desmond's misery.“We finally meet again. After a long while”, he went on, his grip on Freya's hand tightening possessively. “But this time, I'm the one laughing and you…whatever this is.” He shoved his hands in the air, making mocking gestures at Desmond, while staring at him in a condescending manner. Desmond's face was contorted with rage, but he said nothing.“I have to say, Desmond—I never thought I’d see the day," Diego added.Desmond’s fists clenched, his eyes blazing with hatred and rage. He couldn't take the insults anymore. Enough was enough. "You son of a…""Careful," Diego cut in smoothly, a vicious glint in his eyes. "You're not exactly in a posit
Desmond went still. He stared down the barrel of the gun, his breath coming hard and fast. The metallic scent of the warehouse mixed with the faint oiliness of the weapon, the cold steel mere inches from his forehead.Freya's eyes pierced deep into his soul, her hand steady, unwavering. Her expression was sterner than before, her jaw stiff with determination. There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in her stance, not a flicker of doubt in her eyes. She didn't seem angry. She was unnervingly calm, and that was what unsettled Desmond.For the first time since this confrontation began, he felt something creeping into his chest, something foreign—fear.She meant it. This wasn't a bluff.Freya raised a brow slightly, her voice smooth, almost bored as she spoke.“Why don't you spare your life and sign these?” she mused, nodding towards the divorce papers beside him. “Losing your life while I still get the separation I need to move on is gonna be a win-win for me.”Desmond swallowed hard, his Ada
A dull persistent throb pulsed behind Desmond's eyes as he stirred from unconsciousness. His body felt heavy, weighted down by something tight and unyielding. There was a pressure against his wrists, his shoulders aching from an unnatural position.The first thing he noticed was the cold. It seeped into his skin, a sharp contrast to the warmth of unconsciousness. He inhaled sharply, only to be met with the pungent smell of damp concrete, rusted metal, and oil lingering thick in the air.A faint dripping sound echoed somewhere in the distance, rhythmic and taunting. His senses sharpened, but his mind was sluggish, still clawing its way out of the haze.With effort, Desmond's eyelids fluttered open, his gaze unfocused at first. The dim light hanging overhead burned his retina, making him squint.The world was blurred at first, shifting between shadow and light. After a few seconds, he began to get a clearer picture of his surroundings.The space around him stretched wide and empty, the
Desmond looked away, inwardly battling with indecision—whether to believe her or not. He took a deep breath, his mind racing.On the other hand, Freya watched him closely, her gaze unwavering. His tired eyes spoke volumes about his intoxicated state. He was getting tipsier than before. And it was time to act.Freya tilted her head, her lips curving into a soft, understanding smile. “I know you're overwhelmed and can't seem to believe me. And that's understandable. I've practically ruined your life,” Freya said softly, her eyes locked onto his. She paused briefly, allowing her words to sink in. Then she let out a deep sigh and went on. “But people change, Desmond. You claimed you were a changed man, right? So why can't I claim I'm a changed woman as well?” Her voice was low and soft, but a hint of sarcasm was hidden in it.Desmond stared hard at her, reflecting on her words. His expression was a softer version of the skeptical mask he wore. And Freya smiled inwardly, realizing he was
9:32 PMThe hum of the engine was the only sound breaking the silence inside Freya’s car. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white as she stared through the windshield. Outside, the city lights shimmered, coupled with the lights coming from the inside of Desmond's office building, casting a pale glow over the darkened streets. The building loomed tall and ominous in Freya's rearview mirror, its shadow stretching across the pavement like a veil.Freya’s heart hammered against her chest as she adjusted her rearview mirror to get a better view of Desmond's movements. She had been waiting patiently for him to retire home, watching him closely in order to decide her next course of action.Just then, she saw him exit the building, his silhouette sharp under the yellow glow of the streetlights. He walked with the same arrogance she despised so much, his leather shoes clicking against the pavement. He was on the phone, his voice muffled but animated, likely barking or
“Evening, husband.”Freya's voice was thick with sarcasm, and her lips curved into a smirk. Without giving Desmond a chance to speak, she stepped into the room, her gaze sweeping over the mess he had made.The acrid stench of whiskey flooded her senses, making her grimace in disgust. She turned away, scrunching up her nose to fight the nausea it triggered. “What's that smell?” she mumbled, her face contorted with displeasure.Desmond fixed her with a deadly stare, his eyes blazing with unrestrained rage. “Why are you here?” he spat, leaning forward.Freya stared hard at the shattered pieces of glass, infused into the nasty pool of golden liquid on the floor. Her brows furrowed in a frown, and she shook her head in pity."Really, Desmond?" she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Breaking bottles and shouting at doors? How…predictable."Desmond’s eyes darkened, his rage momentarily stunned into silence by the audacity of her presence. He watched as she walked further into the
Desmond sat alone in his dimly lit study, the amber glow of the desk lamp casting long shadows across the mahogany furniture. The air reeked of whiskey and regret. His hand trembled as he brought the glass to his lips, but the drink did little to dull the bitter thoughts swirling in his mind. He leaned back in the leather armchair, his eyes drifting shut. Freya. Her name alone sent a wave of anger coursing through his veins. His jaw tightened as he replayed the events of the past months in his mind. It was certain that Freya’s schemes had been meticulously calculated and set into motion long before she returned to his house. She couldn't have possibly just woken up one day and chosen violence. Who knew what had been going through her head for months now?She had walked back into his life as someone hardened, vengeful, and utterly fearless, not as the meek woman he had once controlled. He swirled the whiskey in his glass, watching the golden liquid catch the light. The burn of alcoh
Diego sat back in his executive swivel chair, a small cup of coffee in his hand. His professional attire was a perfect contrast to the warmth of his triumphant grin. The sun poured in through the window walls, casting golden light over the rich wood and steel accents of the room. The television in his sleek office played the breaking news on every major channel. The headlines blared across the screen: "Corporate Scandal: Freya July Sells Major Stake in Dexus Innovations to Rival Competitor!" The accompanying footage showed reporters scrambling outside Desmond's towering headquarters, desperate for a comment, while stock market analysts discussed the fallout of Freya's calculated move.Diego took a tiny sip of the warm liquid in his mug, his eyes glued to the TV, as if savoring every word the reporters said."...a shocking betrayal by Freya July, Desmond's wife, who has sold a substantial portion of her shares to RavenTech Industries, one of Dexus Innovations’ fiercest competitors," t
The morning air in the city was crisp, carrying the faint hum of activity that grew louder with each passing hour. The glass façade of Dexus Innovations shone in the sunlight, casting a long shadow over the busy streets below. And inside, the tension was palpable. The grand ballroom on the twenty-fifth floor had been transformed into a stage for a high-stakes event. Rows of chairs lined the room, facing an imposing podium framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the city skyline. A team of technicians moved swiftly, adjusting microphones and ensuring the lighting was perfect. Journalists were already streaming in, setting up their equipment and chatting in low tones as they speculated about the announcement that had drawn such a crowd. Desmond had spent the morning pacing his office, his mood growing darker with each passing minute. Freya’s announcement had come with little warning, just a cryptic notification sent to his inbox the night before. He hated s