11:00pmIt was dark in Freya's apartment. She had tucked Noah in bed hours ago yet couldn't get some sleep.Freya paced back and forth across her darkened living room, deeply absorbed in disturbing thoughts.Fresh tears streamed down her face, washing away the dried trails of her earlier sorrow. Her body felt numb, and a throbbing headache pulsed through her temples, a painful reminder of her exhausting tears.The silence was suffocating her — Diego's silence, his absence, his indifference. It had been weeks since they last spoke, and the weight of his disregard was crushing her.She stopped pacing, her hands clenched into fists as she stared blankly at the wall. Why wouldn't he talk to her? Why wouldn't he forgive her? Was she the first person to ever make a mistake? The questions swirled in her mind like a whirlwind, driving her mad.Freya's mind drifted to the fact that they had no photo together. And if it was indeed true that their relationship had come to an end, then, all she h
Diego finally broke free from the spellbound gaze and snapped back to reality. He rushed towards Freya, touching her shoulders lightly while peering outside, scanning the surroundings, as if checking who was watching.Then gently, he pulled Freya into the house and shut the door with a soft click.While they were still standing at the door, right before Freya could utter a word, Diego began, his words tumbling briskly out of his mouth.“Freya, this is just a few minutes to midnight. What the hell are you doing here so late at night? Don't you know it could be dangerous out there? A woman like you shouldn't be alone by this time of the night. What the heck were you thinking? And why didn't you give me a call before coming?” He asked, raising his voice, his tone laced with concern.Freya let out a deep sigh and tried to speak. “I just wanted…”“Wait, you left Noah all alone at home? Are you being serious right now, Freya?” He exclaimed, his eyes wide in disbelief, worry etched on his fa
(RATED 18+)Diego savored Freya's lips, his hands tenderly exploring her lower back, igniting shivers down her spine.Having tasted the sweetness of her mouth, Diego slowly broke away, his eyes fluttering open, locking onto hers with newfound intimacy.Freya's hands lingered on his chest, not eager to let go of him. Her eyes locked onto his, his steady gaze piercing deep into her soul.“Freya”, Diego whispered into her ears, his voice trembling as his lips brushed against her ear lobes.Instinctively, Freya's hands slid up Diego's nape, running her fingers through his soft longish hair, tightening her grip around him.In response, Diego enclosed her in his arms, pulling her in for a warm embrace, his lips brushing against her cheeks.“I love you, Diego. I've always loved you”, Freya said in a soft whisper, her voice barely audible, shutting her eyes tight as she savored the deep embrace.Diego buried his nose in the warm nook of Freya's neck, his ragged breaths whispering softly again
Freya's cheek rested on Diego's firm chest, her hair tangled from the passionate night they had shared. Diego's arms wrapped around her, one hand placed lazily on the soft curves of her spine, holding her close as their slow, synchronized breathing filled the silence. The morning light peeked through the blinds, casting a warm glow across the room.Suddenly, Diego's alarm pierced the tranquility, shattering the peaceful atmosphere. The sharp, insistent beeps jolted them back to reality and Diego let out a soft yawn. Freya groggily lifted her head, her eyes squinting against the brightness. Diego's gaze met hers, sleepy and warm.“Morning”, he whispered, his voice husky from sleep.Freya smiled, her lips still swollen from their kisses. “Morning.”Diego reached over to silence the alarm, his movement causing Freya to snuggle deeper into his side. Turning it off, he dropped his arm lazily around her, making her snuggle even deeper into his firm chest. As the room fell quiet once more, t
"It's okay for now. Let him be”.The order came and the five hefty men who had beaten the timid young man to stupor, turning his face into a bloody mess, stopped abruptly, pushing their victim violently to the floor.The captive, whose hands were tied and lips were wounded and bleeding, struggled to get up and take a look at the “Boss”, the mastermind behind his kidnap.His clothes were dirty and torn and his body bruised and battered. He was at the brink of death and his ragged breaths were abnormal.“Boss, please…have mercy. Don't kill me… I have a wife and son to take care of… Please”, the man pleaded in between gasps, tears crawling down his swollen cheeks.Desmond, the boss, took a step towards the vulnerable captive and stared down at him on the floor, his deep-blue eyes piercing deep into his soul. A hint of pleasure hung in his eyes as he gloated over the man's miserable state.“Alex Chen. So good to have you here. Please feel at home”, Desmond said sarcastically, shrugging hi
It was Sunday.Freya spent half of her day searching for catering jobs and various ways to take her career to the next level. She decided she couldn't remain a food truck chef for the rest of her life. Although the food truck was about five months old and its success was incredible, she couldn't help but itch to get more. She wanted to give Noah a comfortable and successful life more than anything.She adjusted her reading glasses on the bridge of her nose and scrolled through her laptop, consistent in her search. She was expecting Diego as he said he'd come over to see Noah and her. So while waiting for him, she thought she would just finish up her search for greater opportunities.Diego's car screeched to a halt in front of Freya's house. In preparation to alight and make his presence known to Freya, Diego observed himself in the mirror for a while, then he dabbed a new, enticing cologne on his pulse points, complementing the one he already wore to boost his confidence. He smoothed
Freya's face lit up with joy as she read the life-changing email. She had enrolled in another cooking contest after some months. Her initial fears and doubts had long disappeared as she considered herself tough and thick-skinned.Despite the fact that she had lost a contest before, followed by the heart wrenching humiliation which was aired on several TV stations and the internet, she decided to give it another try.The news of the cooking contest hosted by a very prestigious and popular restaurant was spread about the internet and she couldn't resist. Immediately, she made an application and now, an email was sent to her about her qualification for the contest.She couldn't wait to break the news to Diego. She didn't tell him about her participation in the contest, all she wanted was to surprise him. She envisioned herself making the greatest comeback of all times.Yes, a few people would recognize her and maybe mock her for what had happened at the previous cooking contest, but she
"Ten minutes left!” Freya's cooking pace increased rapidly at the sound of the host's unsettling announcement. She still had to handle the finishing touches of her dish.She couldn't afford to make a mistake; that was the grand finale. She had to make Noah proud.Noah and Diego were in the midst of the audience, watching and cheering her on. She couldn't wait to be announced the winner.In no time, the host returned, his hand up and his voice, loud and clear. “Five minutes left! You should be wrapping up”.Freya was practically done with her dish. However, a sense of inferiority complex stung her as she stole a glance at her opponent's dish. It had a better appearance and looked tastier than hers. The contestant seemed to be her biggest competitor yet.Determined not to lose hope, she shook off the shallow thoughts, focusing on the fact that it was the taste the judges were after.With precision, she seared the arctic char, then carefully arranged it on the smoky beetroot and carrot
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