A sudden torrent of water crashed against Freya’s face, jolting her from a haze of darkness. The cold droplets cascaded over her face, mingling with the lingering taste of chemicals, and for a heartbeat, she wasn’t sure whether she was awake or still trapped in a nightmare. Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze from her vision, only to register that she was bound to a creaking wooden chair.The dim glow of harsh overhead lights revealed the grim scene around her—an abandoned room, a hefty man with a stern expression standing above her, holding an empty bucket. The air was heavy with dampness and the acrid scent of mildew.Beside her, Noah stirred, his small frame similarly restrained to his chair. His wide eyes, full of confusion and terror, darted about as he tried to make sense of their surroundings. His hair, face, and clothes were dripping wet as well.Freya's eyes widened in surprise, and she squirmed in discomfort, trying to free herself from
Diego stepped off the private flight, smiling excitedly as he descended the stairs onto the tarmac. New York’s crisp air met him like an old acquaintance, the sharp bite of autumn wrapping around him as he adjusted his coat. He exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cold, his mind already drifting to the people he couldn’t wait to see. He had informed them of his visit to New York that morning, but still had this urge to surprise Freya at her workplace. Or rather, Noah at school. However, he decided to get to his penthouse first.As he walked through the private terminal, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, his thumb instinctively unlocking the screen. He expected to see a message, a missed call, or a simple acknowledgment that Freya knew he was back. But the screen was devoid of any notifications.That was strange. Freya always called when he traveled. Even if she was busy, there would be a quick text—a "Safe flight?" or "When will you land?" Something. But today
The dark warehouse felt suffocating as Desmond’s rage filled the air. He moved toward Freya, his eyes burning with intense resentment. Each step he took echoed through the warehouse, fueling his fury.He had expected Freya to recoil in fear, as he was now the one who called the shots. However, Freya didn't move. She fixed him with a deadly stare, her expression unyielding.“Let me warn you, Freya, just in case you've forgotten. I have your life in my hands at this point. Your life depends on me. So if you think being stubborn is gonna save you, I'll remind you why you had feared me for many years.”Freya stared hard at Desmond for a few seconds, shaking her head in disbelief. Then she let out a short, scornful chuckle, tilting her head back.Noah watched silently, swallowing hard to suppress the fear swirling within him. His eyes were red-rimmed and glassy, his hands trembling.Desmond let out an angry snort, his face hot with rage. The audacity of Freya to laugh in a situation like t
Diego stood over Desmond, his jaw clenched with controlled fury. The bastard in front of him was already bleeding, his face pale from blood loss, but Diego didn’t care. Not after what he had done. Not after the torment he had put his loved ones through. It was only right that he put an end to their problems by pulling one trigger.“Desmond Hugo July. You don't have much time left. Still got something to say?” Diego asked, his grip tightening around the gun.Desmond shook his head, his lips curling in disdain. “You're not scary, Diego. Stop this nonsense,” he snarled, his face contorted in a scowl.Before Desmond could think, Diego darted toward him and grabbed him by the collar, yanking him up. Violently, he slammed him against the cold concrete wall. Desmond grunted in pain, his wounded arm nearly giving out under the pressure. Diego didn't spare him the chance to recover, his fist pounded Desmond's face twice with relentless fury.He grasped Desmond's collar tightly, firmly pinning
Freya's eyes got big with shock as she froze, her gaze transfixed on the TV screen. She felt her heart skip a beat as she witnessed the awful scene on air. “...the most awaited moment in the world of entertainment. Here we have Monica Holland and her finally revealed lover, Desmond July, kissing openly on the red carpet just yesterday in Hollywood! What a sight to see! Who would have thought Monica was in such a serious relationship with a man who is no stranger in the world of business tycoons…” Freya's shoulders shuddered, and she quivered like she had been standing outside in the snow for hours. Her lips barely moved as she breathed a silent “No”, shaking her head forcefully. A single teardrop, like a shiny pearl, crawled out of her eye down her cheek. Shivers were sent down her spine and she finally gave up standing and dropped dramatically to the floor. “Mom!” From a hidden corner in the living room, her eight-year-old son who had been silently watching her distress, ran
"Move aside!” Freya staggered like a toddler taking his first steps as Desmond pushed her to the side aggressively. “I just got back from a hectic trip and the welcome I get is you standing in my way and staring at me like I'm the reason for your misery. Get me something to eat. I'm so hungry”, Desmond ordered and marched majestically into the house, pulling his small travel box behind him and ignoring the poor Freya who had bumped her head into the wall due to his rough push. Noah, whose eyes watched the little drama in horror, took a few steps backwards away from his monstrous looking father. “Little boy, get me a glass of water!” Desmond snapped as he fell lazily on the couch and tugged on his tie aggressively. He roughly tossed his luggage aside. Noah shook his head adamantly and fled to his room, ignoring Desmond's order. “Noah!” He fumed, turning his head to see Noah run off. “Desmond! How dare you!” Freya exclaimed suddenly, like she had just regained her consciou
4:30 amFreya grasped Noah's little hand tightly, hauling him along with her.A few steps more and they were gone from the dungeon which Desmond had originally referred to as a home. With her other hand, Freya held a small saddle bag while Noah's favorite clothes could all fit into his little backpack, luckily. She also carried a small handbag along which she hung on her shoulder.Before advancing further, Freya stopped abruptly and turned around to take the final glance at her soon-to-be ex husband's gigantic mansion. The enormous white pearly building stood tall and majestic in the early morning moonlight and stared down at her as if judging her for summoning up courage to finally leave it.“I'll miss this house”, Noah finally spoke up on seeing his mother steadily regard their house for an awkward amount of seconds.Freya let out a dense sigh as she looked down at her tender son. The innocence engraved in his facial expression captured and softened her heart. “Yeah. But we're ne
"I'm Diego. Sorry I didn't introduce myself properly”.Diego offered a handshake, a gesture of courtesy, and Freya, still reeling from her recent misfortune, hesitated briefly before extending her hand, her fingers meeting his in a cautious grasp. “Can I get your name as well, hope you don't mind?”Freya regarded the strange man called Diego with utmost curiosity aiming at getting a clue on what he was all about.His jet-black longish hair and gray eyes, accompanied by his strong jawline, blended excellently well, working hand in hand to give him a majestic and handsome appearance.“Freya”, she replied stiffly, looking away from his steady gaze.Diego, sensing her discomfort and likely shyness, let out a brief, warm chuckle, his vibrations conveying a gentle understanding.Freya scowled at him, wondering what was laugh-inducing in that arena asides her being in a pathetic state.“I know exactly how you feel. Don't worry, your belongings will be tracked down in no time. My friend here
Diego stood over Desmond, his jaw clenched with controlled fury. The bastard in front of him was already bleeding, his face pale from blood loss, but Diego didn’t care. Not after what he had done. Not after the torment he had put his loved ones through. It was only right that he put an end to their problems by pulling one trigger.“Desmond Hugo July. You don't have much time left. Still got something to say?” Diego asked, his grip tightening around the gun.Desmond shook his head, his lips curling in disdain. “You're not scary, Diego. Stop this nonsense,” he snarled, his face contorted in a scowl.Before Desmond could think, Diego darted toward him and grabbed him by the collar, yanking him up. Violently, he slammed him against the cold concrete wall. Desmond grunted in pain, his wounded arm nearly giving out under the pressure. Diego didn't spare him the chance to recover, his fist pounded Desmond's face twice with relentless fury.He grasped Desmond's collar tightly, firmly pinning
The dark warehouse felt suffocating as Desmond’s rage filled the air. He moved toward Freya, his eyes burning with intense resentment. Each step he took echoed through the warehouse, fueling his fury.He had expected Freya to recoil in fear, as he was now the one who called the shots. However, Freya didn't move. She fixed him with a deadly stare, her expression unyielding.“Let me warn you, Freya, just in case you've forgotten. I have your life in my hands at this point. Your life depends on me. So if you think being stubborn is gonna save you, I'll remind you why you had feared me for many years.”Freya stared hard at Desmond for a few seconds, shaking her head in disbelief. Then she let out a short, scornful chuckle, tilting her head back.Noah watched silently, swallowing hard to suppress the fear swirling within him. His eyes were red-rimmed and glassy, his hands trembling.Desmond let out an angry snort, his face hot with rage. The audacity of Freya to laugh in a situation like t
Diego stepped off the private flight, smiling excitedly as he descended the stairs onto the tarmac. New York’s crisp air met him like an old acquaintance, the sharp bite of autumn wrapping around him as he adjusted his coat. He exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cold, his mind already drifting to the people he couldn’t wait to see. He had informed them of his visit to New York that morning, but still had this urge to surprise Freya at her workplace. Or rather, Noah at school. However, he decided to get to his penthouse first.As he walked through the private terminal, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, his thumb instinctively unlocking the screen. He expected to see a message, a missed call, or a simple acknowledgment that Freya knew he was back. But the screen was devoid of any notifications.That was strange. Freya always called when he traveled. Even if she was busy, there would be a quick text—a "Safe flight?" or "When will you land?" Something. But today
A sudden torrent of water crashed against Freya’s face, jolting her from a haze of darkness. The cold droplets cascaded over her face, mingling with the lingering taste of chemicals, and for a heartbeat, she wasn’t sure whether she was awake or still trapped in a nightmare. Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze from her vision, only to register that she was bound to a creaking wooden chair.The dim glow of harsh overhead lights revealed the grim scene around her—an abandoned room, a hefty man with a stern expression standing above her, holding an empty bucket. The air was heavy with dampness and the acrid scent of mildew.Beside her, Noah stirred, his small frame similarly restrained to his chair. His wide eyes, full of confusion and terror, darted about as he tried to make sense of their surroundings. His hair, face, and clothes were dripping wet as well.Freya's eyes widened in surprise, and she squirmed in discomfort, trying to free herself from
The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the school grounds as Freya stepped out of her car, smoothing her dress as she closed the door behind her. Her driver remained inside as usual, waiting patiently as she made her way toward the school entrance. Normally, Noah would come running out on his own, but today, she felt like walking in to get him, just like old times when he was very little.It wasn’t just about picking him up—it was about the little moments. Seeing him at his desk, watching him interact with his classmates, hearing his excited chatter before they even reached the car. She loved those moments. They were the things that strengthened her resolve to protect him.The school hallways bustled with students and teachers wrapping up their day. Freya navigated her way through, nodding politely at a few teachers who recognized her. When she reached Noah’s classroom, she found him still at his desk, stuffing papers into his backpack with a look of intense focus. An excited smile
The scent of cinnamon and vanilla filled Freya's luxurious home as warm candlelight flickered along the walls. A soft jazz melody played in the background, blending harmoniously with the sound of Noah’s laughter. The large dining area was set with care—gold-rimmed plates, tall glasses of sparkling apple cider, and a chocolate cake in the center of the table.Freya stood by the counter, watching as Diego leaned down to help Noah light the candles on the cake. Noah’s face was practically glowing, his excitement bubbling over as he giggled at Diego’s exaggerated instructions.“Alright, buddy,” Diego said, his voice playful. “Steady hands. We don’t want to set the house on fire.”Noah rolled his eyes dramatically. “I got this!” He carefully placed the last candle and stepped back with a satisfied grin.Freya felt something warm spread through her chest, and a soft, genuine smile lit up her face. This was their moment. Their victory.Desmond was gone. She was divorced. And she was finally
“Help!” Desmond yelled, his husky, panicked voice echoing through the space.He struggled against the ropes once more, his disheveled hair falling recklessly across his face. Sweat beaded on his brows, crawling down his face and soaking his entire shirt.Desmond let out a frustrated sigh as he scanned the empty space in horror. The warehouse was suffocating in its silence. The only sounds were the rhythmic dripping of water from a leaking pipe and his own ragged breaths.Despite his desperate state, however, his mind burned with fury.Freya.She had done this to him. Humiliated him. Stolen his power. And worse—she had left him here like he was nothing.He couldn't believe she had the heart to abandon him in such a terrible place. What if he died?With a deep breath, he summoned the last of his strength and let out one more desperate shout.“I'm in here! Help me!” His throat was raw from screaming, his voice now reduced to little more than a rasp.He had lost track of time—hours, maybe
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