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
Freya rested her head on Diego's shoulder as they settled into the couch together and watched the news on the TV screen. Freya was the talk of the town at the moment, the whole city buzzing about her shocking win. The most envied, mouthwatering prizes attached to the cooking contest were hers — $20,000, a chance to work at Bayside Bistro, a prestigious five star restaurant in Nashville, and a three day trip to the Maldives.Diego's hand tightly gripped hers, his warm touch stimulating Freya in ways she couldn't explain. It was all she needed after a long day. Gently and lovingly, he caressed the back of her palm with his thumbs, drawing imaginary circles on her skin.Their eyes remained glued to the TV screen, pictures of Freya, the rising star in the world of cooking, displayed all over. Freya had gotten tired of shedding tears of joy and screaming joyfully at the top of her lungs. Her initial surprise and shock gave way to her nonchalance — she now considered herself a pro and wa
As one of the prizes she earned at the contest, Freya went on a trip to the Maldives. She insisted on sharing the experience and persuaded Diego to accompany her. She also took Noah along, keeping the gift of travel a family affair.To her, it wasn't just a prize, it was an opportunity to spend time with the ones she loved, the ones who mattered most to her. The Maldives was the perfect place for a vacation for the three of them, far away from home and Desmond, of course.The seaplane, which they boarded, glided smoothly onto the tranquil Maldivian waters, sending ripples through the turquoise sea. Noah's face lit up with joy and excitement and he glanced at Freya and Diego, as if checking if they were as excited as he was.“We're here!” He exclaimed, exploding with excitement.Diego and Freya exchanged pleasant smiles as they witnessed Noah's enthusiasm about the vacation.With broad smiles on each of their faces, they disembarked onto the wooden dock. Diego's hands were intertwined
With her arms folded in reproof and her expression, a stiff scowl, Freya fixed the nonchalant Desmond on the couch with a stern, venomous look, her dark brown eyes cursing his very existence.“What are you doing here, Desmond?” Freya growled, her tone low and icy.Desmond stared hard at her for a few seconds, his gaze condescending. Then he burst out chuckling for a few seconds.Freya stared at him in confusion, his awkward laughter irritating to her ears. After laughing for a while, all that was left was a smile of amusement on his face.“What's funny?” Freya asked, raising a questioning brow at him.Desmond's smiles faded a little. His smile became a thin, forced line. “I heard about your little win, Freya. Congratulations. Thought I'd drop by to discuss some “family matters”,” he said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.“Desmond, for the last time, you and I have nothing to talk about. We're done. You should stop following me around”, Freya said with a stiff scowl, her arms still fol
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