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
Freya gulped in fear, her eyes wide with shock, horror plastered on her face. Her worst nightmare had found his way back into her life. How did he find her? Desmond stood firm, his threatening demeanor triggering Freya's PTSD. He fixed Freya with a cold, intense stare, his eyes blazing with growing fury. Without thinking twice, Freya shook her head vigorously and breathed a silent “No”, then began to retreat, taking a few brisk steps backwards, away from Desmond. However, Desmond caught her by her arm with one hand, gripping her tightly. With much force, he pulled her closer to him, stopping her from running away. “Desmond”, Freya said with a shaky voice, her heart racing with anxiety as she struggled to squirm free from his grip. Desmond grabbed her second arm with his other hand, digging his fingers deep into her skin, causing her excruciating pain. “Let go of me, you're hurting me!” Freya exclaimed, squirming in discomfort as she scanned the room, hoping someone would
Diego and Freya found themselves in the midst of the tension, forming a boundary between Diego's men and Desmond's men, Diego's arms wrapped around Freya's waist and Freya's hands pinned on his chest with a fearful demeanor.The men held their firearms firmly, their index finger set to the trigger, ready for any action.Just then, a swarm of paparazzi poured into the scene, taking several snapshots of the drama, their cameras capturing the tension with quick flashings.Desmond, finally regaining his stance, staggered towards Freya and Diego, his face battered and bruised.“That's enough”, he said to his men, raising his hand dismissively.Slowly, after glaring intensely at the opposing men, Desmond's men lowered their guns, still gripping them tightly.“When I needed your help, you fools didn't show up”, Desmond snarled at his men, gritting his teeth angrily.Diego glanced at his men, giving them a slight nod as a signal to put their guns down as well.Freya shuddered in fear as her e
Desmond stood frozen, uncertain of what action to take next as Diego's words sank in, exposing his devious acts years ago to Freya, who stood still, her face wet with tears of disappointment.“Alan, is this really you?” Freya said with a cracked voice, shaking her head in disbelief as she touched his arm lightly, as if checking if he was indeed real. Tears crawled down her cheeks as she moved a little closer to Diego.Diego, in response, held Freya's face in his hands, as he fixed her with a soft, steady gaze.“Freya”, he said in a gentle whisper, wiping off the tears on her cheeks and caressing the sides of her face with his thumbs.“Diego, why didn't you tell me you were Alan?” She asked, her teary eyes staring deep into his soul, as she placed her hands gently on his chest, running her fingers down along his torso, passionately.Although she still seeked answers regarding Diego, why he had left without seeing her first thing after her surgery, why Desmond lied to her about Alan bei
Freya and Diego hugged each other tightly for seconds, Freya's face buried in the hollow of Diego's chest, his unique scent engulfing her senses. It all felt like a dream; her brain still couldn't effectively process the twist of events which occurred that night.She shut her eyes tightly as the rhythmic sound of Diego's heartbeat echoed in her mind. As he stroked her hair gently, she melted into his warm embrace, her thoughts disappearing and reality fading away. She was floating, her body wasn't hers anymore and for a few seconds, she forgot who she was.Just then, one of Diego's men, whom Freya had instructed to put Noah away and shield him from the chaos, returned with Noah now that the tension had finally dissolved.Noah stood still, staring hard in confusion at Freya and Diego who embraced each other lovingly, oblivious to his presence.“Mom!” Noah yelled, pulling Freya out of her reverie.At the sound of Noah's voice, Freya abruptly pulled away from Diego's arms, jolting back i
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
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