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
The dance was finally over. Freya and Diego returned to their seats, ready to witness the next item on the list of events to be held that night.The Master of Ceremony mounted the stage once again to announce the arrival of a performer, a renowned singer, Sophia Reyes.As the crowd erupted in an ear deafening round of applause, Sophia mounted the stage, ready to perform the song which she had written in regards to the theme of the charity ball.While she sang, Diego slowly reached out for Freya's hand which she had placed idly on the table, enveloping it in a tight, warm grip.“I hope you're enjoying the event”, he said softly to her, though his eyes were fixed on the performer on stage.Freya hesitated for a few seconds, staring hard at Diego's hand which was tightly wrapped around hers. She began to loathe the way he so easily touched her whenever he liked as if they were so familiar with each other. However, a part of her liked the way he touched her, the gentle rubbing of their s
The news broke early in the morning:“Former billionaire Desmond July found dead in prison cell. Apparent suicide.”The headlines spread like wildfire. News channels, social media, newspapers—every platform covered the scandalous downfall of the once-mighty mogul. Analysts speculated, reporters dissected every detail, and the public debated whether justice had been truly served.But inside Diego and Freya’s home, the atmosphere was different. The television was on, but neither of them paid it much attention.Freya sat at the dining table, sipping her morning coffee, while Diego leaned against the counter, scrolling through his phone with a lazy smirk.Noah, dressed in his school uniform, glanced between them, his brows furrowing.“So…Desmond’s really dead,” he muttered, pushing his cereal bowl aside.Neither Freya nor Diego reacted much. Freya merely took another sip of coffee, setting the mug down with a soft clink. “Looks like he finally ran out of ways to escape his consequences,”
5:25 PMThe air in Diego’s office was thick with the usual tension of high-stakes business negotiations.Diego was seated at the head of a long, polished table, in the middle of a board meeting. He exuded his signature confidence—sharp, composed, commanding.The only sound was the soft hum of the projector and the murmured discussions of Diego's business associates. Diego's eyes were fixed intently on the presentation unfolding before him.His executives and business associates sat around him, discussing projections, acquisitions, and expansions for his green-energy empire. The meeting was important, the kind that could shape the future of his company.Yet, his mind was elsewhere.On her.Diego stole a glance at his phone, an itch in his chest growing with every passing minute.It had been hours since he had last spoken to Freya. And he missed her. His mind was fixed on the upcoming weekend and the plans he had with Freya.Just as he shifted in his seat, imagining a steamy night with
6:30 AMThe loud, shrill ringing of Freya’s phone shattered the peaceful silence of the morning.Her brows furrowed in confusion as she blindly reached for it on her nightstand. She squinted her eyes against the faint morning light streaming in from a small opening in the window.Her gaze came to a focus on the phone screen, and the number flashing on the screen made her blink. It was Diego’s chief of security.Immediately, she sat up and snapped out of the sleepy haze. A sudden, terrible feeling clawed at her chest as she quickly answered the call. Diego's chief of security only called when there was bad news about Diego.“Hello?” she breathed, sweeping her disheveled hair backwards.“Ms. Freya,” the man’s voice came through, urgent, tense. “It’s Diego. He…he got into a car accident. You need to come now.”The world stopped the minute he dropped the bomb. Freya's heart slammed against her ribs, and her blood ran cold.No. Not again.Her hands shook as she scrambled out of bed, barely
The living room was filled with a golden glow from the television screen. The breaking news banner flashed across the bottom, repeating the same phrase over and over:DESMOND JULY ARRESTED IN SCANDAL—ABUSE, ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND KIDNAPPING EXPOSED.The anchor spoke with a serious, almost incredulous tone. "In a shocking turn of events, billionaire Desmond July, former CEO of Dexus Innovations, has been arrested and is facing a long list of charges, including domestic violence, child endangerment, and attempted murder. The once-revered businessman was taken into custody last night after damning footage of his crimes was broadcast at his own celebratory gala, exposing years of abuse toward his ex-wife, Freya Dominic, and their son, Noah Dominic. Legal experts predict that with the overwhelming evidence, July could face life in prison with no chance of parole…”The remote slipped from Freya’s fingers and landed on the couch beside her. Her heart pounded as she stared at the screen, her m
Freya walked into the room with a quiet sense of power, her presence commanding attention.She was dressed in a crimson gown— a deep, bold, unapologetic dress that clung to her like molten lava. Every step she took was slow, deliberate, and commanding. And her presence was undeniable.She dressed to fit into the context. After all, this was a grand gala filled with elites from all over the world.However, it wasn’t her dress that stole the breath from every mouth in the room. It was the bruises. The dark, undeniable marks which decorated her arms and cheek. Marks of war.And she made no attempt to hide them. Her dress was sleeveless, and she wore no makeup. She wanted the world to see it clearly.In an instant, camera flashes erupted around her. Paparazzi swarmed forward, fighting to capture the moment, the scandal, the face of a woman wronged.Desmond’s chest tightened as he watched the unfolding drama. His stomach twisted. His body screamed at him to move, to run. But he couldn’t.H
The Dexus Innovations' Tower stood like a beacon of power, piercing the night sky with its gleaming lights. Tonight, the heart of the city pulsed with anticipation. An event unlike any other was about to unfold in the building’s grand ballroom—an affair so spectacular that the world was watching.A scarlet carpet stretched from the main entrance, lined with golden railings and uniformed security. Photographers stood at the sidelines, cameras flashing as an endless parade of luxury cars arrived, their sleek bodies gleaming under the streetlights and the golden glow from within the ballroom.Chauffeurs in crisp suits opened doors with precise elegance, allowing their distinguished passengers to step onto the crimson carpet that stretched into the opulent ballroom.The guest list was nothing short of extraordinary. Billionaires, Hollywood elites, influential tech moguls, and political heavyweights—all gathered under one roof. Their tailored suits and designer gowns shimmered under the li
The air in Freya’s secluded apartment was thick with silence. It was the kind of silence that wasn’t peaceful but restless, filled with thoughts that refused to settle.She sat curled up on the small couch, her fingers gripping a warm mug of tea she hadn’t even touched. Her body ached, remnants of the brutal night in the warehouse still lingering in bruises and sore muscles. But the worst pain wasn’t physical—it was the gnawing fear, the unease that refused to leave her.She had vanished temporarily, making only scarce appearances for days. She didn't let Noah go to school without heavily armed escorts. She and Diego made sure to be armed and guarded wherever they were going.After the chaos in the warehouse, the fear of what Desmond might do next consumed her. He was wounded, humiliated, but far from finished—and she knew that meant danger.She couldn’t risk being found. Not yet. She needed to devise a brilliant plan before resurfacing in public. She had to make Desmond's downfall ve
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