Imelda stormed about the living room, her fury propelling her back and forth as she struggled to gather her racing thoughts. Her eyes blazed with intense rage, and she let out a fierce snort, her chest heaving violently.She had just been fooled!She shook her head vehemently in utter disbelief as she recalled the shocking and humiliating conversation she had had earlier with Desmond. After narrating every detail of the unexpected twist at the station to him, how Diego had intervened on Freya's behalf, saving her from the clutches of a jail term, she had demanded her payment from Desmond for her role in ensnaring Freya in debt and hauling her to the station.But Desmond, who got infuriated by her revelation and their failed plans, refused to pay her, insisting that she hadn't completed the job as agreed. He claimed their deal was to leave Freya languishing in jail, with the sole option of crawling back to him in surrender. Since the case hadn't unfolded as planned, Desmond deemed her
Freya stole a worried glance at Noah, who was utterly absorbed in his toy, completely oblivious to the weight of their difficult circumstances. She exhaled a disheartened sigh, fearing that he might be growing weary of their challenging life. They had been sitting for hours under a roadside bench shelter, Freya trying to calculate their next move, her mind racing with possibilities and scenarios. Despite having reassured Noah that everything would be fine and that she had everything under control, Freya couldn't help but silently panic, feeling overwhelmed by the daunting task of finding an affordable apartment that met their needs. Aside from Imelda, Freya had no other acquaintances in the city, and as she sat lost in thought, memories of Diego surfaced— the one person who had always been there for her, consistently proving his unwavering support and care. Just then, a thought crossed her mind. She suddenly felt the urge to call Diego and ask him for help. But she shook off th
Diego's car squealed to a sudden halt, stopping precisely in front of a towering and enormous white mansion just as the driver swept past the gates.Freya gazed blankly at the building in utter astonishment as the sight of Diego's apartment radiated luxury. She wondered how he felt living alone in such a vast, echoing house, without anyone to share his thoughts with.Noah, on the other hand, also seemed to be captivated and amazed by the sight of Diego's house. It was just as lavish and exquisite as his father's estate, and he began to ponder what exactly Diego did for a living.Diego's driver stepped out of the car and flung the back door open with a grand gesture, inviting Freya, Diego, and Noah to alight.Diego stepped out first, then Noah, who sprang out of the car with enthusiasm. Freya was the last, and Diego, who was obviously waiting for her, extended his hand in a warm, inviting gesture.Noah watched as his mother placed her hand hesitantly in Diego's in a dramatic manner and
Freya and Noah strode into Diego's house, as he had instructed the guards to grant them unrestricted access. He was still absent, having not returned from work, but surprisingly, Freya had closed her food truck business on time for the day and picked Noah up from school with the help of her hired truck driver. This marked the second day of their stay in Diego's house. Although Freya was still working towards securing a comfortable and affordable apartment, Noah seemed to have grown remarkably comfortable at Diego's house. Diego indulged him, having asked his driver to take him to school that morning, stuffing his backpack with an assortment of candies and cookies, all of Noah's favorites. She could discern that Noah had developed a strong liking for Diego, evident in the way he constantly spoke about Diego, inquiring about him, and expressing his admiration for Diego's cool demeanor. Freya was delighted to see that there was finally someone aside from her who could bring him joy, s
Diego stepped on the car brakes, abruptly pulling his car to a halt just in front of Freya's soon-to-be new home. The real estate agent was already present, waiting in front of the house for Freya, so they could finalize the paperwork of the house after Freya takes a good look at their new house and makes sure it was to her liking. Noah didn't come along as he had already been taken to school, but Diego went as far as taking a quick leave from work just to accompany Freya to the house she was going to be settling in soon, his dedication a surprise to Freya. Freya felt a little disturbed that he was taking such measures for her, something he wouldn't normally do for anyone, and although she was grateful, she also kind of wished he didn't bother about her, his actions stirring up mixed emotions within her. “Here we are. Mr Morgan is here already”, he said to Freya, just as he parked his car in front of the house. Then he turned to take a proper and longer glance at her face, ga
It had been a week since Freya and Noah moved into their new home. Despite the struggles, the stress and the numerous paperwork, they had finally succeeded and settled down. Their lives began to have meaning once again and a new wave of ease began to settle in their midst.However, Freya rarely called or texted Diego after they moved out of his house and even though Diego was the one who frequently tried to reach out, she found herself declining his calls and leaving his messages unread.Diego stared hard at his phone, contemplating dialing Freya's number for the umpteenth time. His face was etched with disappointment, his brows knitted in a frown that depicted confusion at Freya's strange behavior. To think that he actually believed that they were finally on good terms.Diego let out a deep, exasperated sigh, shutting his eyes tightly in frustration. He had no clue what Freya wanted anymore and what she stood to achieve by distancing herself from him.His grand biannual charity ball
The night of the ‘Empowering a Greener Future’ charity ball by Hunter Global Enterprises had finally arrived, casting a warm glow over the Bellagio Hotel's grand entrance. The soft hum of conversation and the gentle clinking of glasses filled the air as guests began to arrive, their elegant attire and sparkling jewels a testament to the evening's promise of glamor and generosity.The grand ballroom at the Bellagio hotel was indeed a breathtaking sight. The room was filled with elegant tables, adorned with crisp white linens, fine china, and sparkling crystal glasses. The walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a stunning view of the hotel's iconic fountains.Outside, the beautifully choreographed water show cascaded across the tranquil lake, creating a mesmerizing display of art and music. The gentle ripples of the water reflected the soft glow of the hotel's exterior, casting a warm, golden light onto the surrounding gardens.The elegant atmosphere was further enhanc
Diego's warm touch on her skin ignited wild, inappropriate thoughts in her head, his steady gaze compounding the situation.Freya knew fully well that they could go on for hours staring at each other and not saying anything, as Diego didn't look like he was going to take his eyes off her anytime soon.Just in time to break the spellbound gaze, Noah yelled “Diego” enthusiastically, lifting his hands up in the air towards Diego, pulling them out of the trance.And that was when Diego finally noticed Noah, averting his gaze towards him.“Noah! So happy to see you”, Diego said with a cheerful voice, shaking his little hand enthusiastically, a broad grin spread across his face.Noah's face lightened up with a grin in response. He was delighted to see Diego once again and he was certain that Diego would have playfully ruffled his hair if they weren't in a formal gathering.Diego replaced his gaze on Freya, his eyes softening at her.“Freya, I'm really glad you made it. You don't know how ha
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
Desmond’s day started like any other, but by noon, his world was on fire. His name was being dragged through the mud, entwined in a brutal scandal and was splashed across every major financial news outlet and social media platform. The headlines were ruthless: "Corporate Kingpin Exposed: Internal Documents Reveal Mismanagement at Dexus Innovations.” The evidence was damning—leaked documents showing years of financial mismanagement, unethical practices, and reckless decisions that had placed the company on the brink of collapse. That wasn't all—Desmond was also accused of ruling his empire with an iron fist, suppressing his employees and making them feel insignificant.Desmond was left in a state of confusion as he didn't understand how such stories about him could be circulated. To the best of his knowledge, they were all lies. But unknown to him, Freya had leaked those internal documents to damage his reputation.Now, another board meeting was scheduled. The boardroom was chaotic.
6:12 PMFreya’s car purred to a halt in front of Desmond’s mansion, and as she looked out the window, her eyes rolled heavenward in disgust.The sleek lines of the building glinted under the harsh glow of the driveway lights, an unwelcoming beacon that altered Freya’s relaxed mood.She and Noah had been gone for weeks, settling down in an apartment she had bought for silent getaways.She needed to get away from Desmond for a while—almost as if she was deliberately avoiding him after all the devious things she had done to ruin him.And she got the break she needed. However, facing Desmond was going to be scary. Though he had no proof of her hand in his business being on the verge of collapse, she was afraid of what he might do to her. Desmond hadn't changed one bit. He was still as despicable as ever.She turned to Noah, a faint smile crossing her face. “Noah honey, let's go,” she said softly, patting him gently on his head.Noah only gave a slight nod and got out of the car. Freya wat
6:15 PMIt had been days since Desmond last saw Freya, ever since she revealed herself at his company's board meeting as the second-largest shareholder. Since then, he had been more disturbed and afraid.He sat at his desk in his dimly lit private office, the amber glow of his desk lamp casting long shadows across the room. Papers were strewn across the polished mahogany surface—financial reports, property damage assessments, and preliminary investigation notes on the warehouse fire that had been haunting him for weeks. He swirled a glass of whiskey in one hand, staring at the contents as though the answer to his problems might emerge from its depths.The warehouse fire had been a blow to him, but the uncertainty surrounding it had been worse. Despite the fact that his team’s investigation had been ongoing for weeks, the truth hadn't unfolded. And he still refused to believe it was an electrical malfunction.His team’s initial assessments were inconclusive, and the lack of clarity gn