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
Freya, Diego, and Noah sat in strained silence, their beach loungers angled apart beneath a colorful umbrella which now seemed mockingly cheerful. The warm sand, which was once inviting, felt coarse and uncomfortable beneath their feet.The beach, once a haven of relaxation and excitement, had transformed into a reminder of their disrupted tranquility. The warm breeze rustling the palm trees and the gentle whooshing of the waves against the shore only highlighted the oppressive stillness between them.Each of them wore huge sunglasses, dimming the warm glitter of the vibrant sun which was a stark contrast to the dull atmosphere which settled over them.Desmond's sudden arrival had injected a toxic dose of alarm into their wholesome vacation, shattering their tranquility.In unison, the trio let out a collective deep sigh, their expressions gloomy and cold.Behind tinted sunglasses, Freya’s gaze drifted blankly towards the horizon, her expression a mix of discomfort and unease. Noah s
It was Monday and the vibrant Monday morning sun cast its warm golden glow on Freya as she slowly pushed the door open, alighting from Diego's car with a sense of readiness for her first day at work.“Freya! Wait!” Diego yelled the moment she stepped outside, dashing out of the car to follow her.Freya stopped abruptly, waiting to hear what Diego wanted to say to her. Diego rushed towards her and instantly pulled her into his arms in a warm embrace.“Aren't you going to give me a hug before you begin your first day at work?” Diego teased, planting a gentle, passionate kiss on the top of her head.“I was actually waiting for you to come out of the car. How could I leave without getting a kiss from you first?” Freya said in a soft whisper, wrapping her arms around his torso in a tight, firm grip.Diego gently caressed her back, his fingers tracing the tender hollow of her spine through her shirt. “Are you excited to take your place in the culinary world?” Diego breathed softly into her
7:00am Freya's sudden alarm disrupted her sound sleep, its sharp insistent beeps piercing through the tranquil atmosphere. Freya stretched her arms and legs to full length, letting out a loud, sleepy yawn. Lazily, she reached for her alarm, silencing it immediately. She snuggled deeper into her comfortable blankets, savoring the quiet morning moment. The gentle caress of morning sunlight, streaming through the window, danced across her face, illuminating her peaceful expression. As she slowly opened her eyes, the brightness filled her gaze, and she smiled blankly at the ceiling. Her thoughts drifted to the day ahead, and a flutter of excitement stirred in her chest. It was her birthday. Everything, including the morning sun's gentle warmth seemed to whisper, “Happy Birthday, Freya.” With a contented sigh, Freya tossed aside the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She planted her feet firmly on the ground, feeling the soft carpet beneath. Her mind raced wi
With seven approaching, Freya's transformation was complete. Diego's carefully selected outfit hugged her curves, while her self-applied makeup highlighted her natural beauty. The result was flawless. Ruby red hair pins secured her locks, exuding elegance. Freya beamed with pride, knowing she had achieved breathtaking perfection by herself — no makeup artist or stylist required.With graceful strides, she walked out of her room, clutching a small black purse which complemented her dress. As she arrived at the living room, she stopped abruptly, her brows furrowing in a confused frown as she watched Noah spread lilies around the house.“Uh…Noah, what's going on?” She asked, utterly taken aback by his actions.Noah, stunned by her unexpected presence, dropped the small basket of flowers and sprinted towards her.“Happy birthday, Mom!” He yelled, a broad grin on his face, spreading his arms as a warm gesture.Freya giggled cheerfully at him, surprised by his sudden gesture. She had conclu
As they pulled up to Diego's estate, Freya's eyes widened in astonishment. The once-familiar mansion had undergone a breathtaking transformation, leaving Freya momentarily wondering if they had accidentally arrived at a high-end hotel.The sun dipped into the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over Diego's majestic mansion, transforming the estate into a fairytale setting.The mansion's shocking transformation took her breath away. Soft candlelight and delicate string lights adorned the facade, the flowers and sparkling decorations creating a fairytale ambiance. “Wow”, Noah exclaimed as Diego drove past the gates, his eyes intensely scanning the dashing environment through the car window in wonder.Soon, Diego parked his car, and the three of them were ready to step out.“Freya, wait”, Diego called out suddenly, stopping Freya from opening the door.“What's wrong?” Freya asked skeptically.Diego emerged from the car with swift courtesy, sweeping Freya's door open with a polished smi
Early evening arrived and Freya returned to the hospital with Noah. As Diego lay on the hospital bed, staring blankly at the muted TV and lost in thoughts, the door cracked open, revealing Freya and Noah.Diego’s eyes immediately found Freya’s, scanning her face for answers. His expression was calm but with a hint of concern.As soon as they walked into the hospital room, hand-in-hand, Noah’s face lit up in excitement, seeing Diego sitting up slightly in bed, his eyes open and alert.“Diego!” he exclaimed, his small feet pattering against the tiled floor as he ran to his bedside. “You’re awake now! I’ve been waiting for you to wake up!”Diego averted his confused gaze from Freya to Noah, his eyes brightening with relief and gratitude.“Buddy”, he whispered, his gaze softening. He smiled despite the ache in his body, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He reached out a hand, and Noah grasped it eagerly, his tiny fingers clutching Diego’s with enthusiasm and surprising strength.Freya s
Freya sat in the back seat of the car, staring out the window but barely seeing the city passing by. The late-morning sun poured down, its golden light sharp and relentless, as if mocking her awful state of dilemma.Everything outside looked so ordinary—people walking, cars streaming past—but her thoughts were far from ordinary. Her mind was chaos.Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, threatening to pour out. Desmond’s cruel and unbelievable ultimatum swirled in her head over and over, each word cutting deeper the more she thought about it.Each passing thought made her realise how deep Desmond's conditions were. They were deeper than what it sounded like, and a sense of fear enveloped her like a thick blanket.Desmond wasn’t just asking her to return to him. He was asking her to sacrifice herself for the sake of peace. To live a lie, trapped in a cage, while the people she loved moved on without her.Her heart ached, and her mind raced with disturbed thoughts. How far was she w
10:30 AMFreya’s driver parked her car outside the sleek, towering Everston Grande Hotel. The morning sun glinted off the mirrored windows, but the warmth of the day couldn’t melt the cold determination coursing through Freya.Taking a deep breath, Freya grabbed her purse and alighted from the car. Shutting the door with a soft click, she looked up at the gigantic hotel before her.She smoothed her blazers, straightening imaginary wrinkles. Then she began to approach the main entrance door with brisk urgent strides.She pushed open the glass doors and stepped into the lobby, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.Just then, she halted abruptly as she set her eyes on Desmond. There he was, standing near the entrance, impeccably dressed in a designer suit, his confident stance as infuriating as ever. He spotted her immediately, a smirk tugging at his lips."Freya”, he said smoothly, extending his arms in mock welcome. "I've been waiting for you.""Let’s just get this over
Freya rushed out of the hospital, the crisp morning air swirling around her. She didn't know exactly where to find Desmond, but she knew he was never far when chaos unfolded, always watching from the shadows and pulling the strings in secret.Today, she wouldn’t let him hide. Today, it ended—once and for all. And she had to do something quick. What if Desmond decides to strike again and eventually succeeds in killing Diego? What if Diego doesn't survive Desmond's next attack?She strode quickly to the parking lot where her driver had parked her car, waiting patiently for her. Earlier that morning, after Diego woke up, she had summoned her driver to get her car to the hospital where she was.Freya's calm facade crumbled, her jaw tightened, and her eyes burned with determination. She was going to find Desmond wherever he was hiding.She was the reason Diego had nearly died. If it wasn't because of her, Desmond wouldn’t have thought about hurting Diego or Noah. And now, she was going to
The hospital room fell silent, the faint beep of machines and the occasional footsteps of nurses across the hallway the only sounds heard. Freya sat beside Diego’s bed, carefully cutting a piece of toast into small, manageable bites. She had pulled a tray of hospital food, which contained a mix of bland oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and the toast, and balanced on a table close to his bed.Diego watched her closely with a small, amused smile, though his face was still pale from the injuries he was healing from."You don’t have to do this, Freya", he whispered, his voice soft but husky.Freya looked up from the food tray, her gaze meeting his tired eyes. "Of course, I do. Why not?" she said gently, spearing a piece of egg with the fork. "You’re still weak, and I’m not about to let you starve because hospital food isn’t exactly gourmet."He chuckled weakly, the sound more of a breath than a laugh. "Yeah, I’d rather be fed by you than eat this myself. Makes it taste good”, he said, his gaze s
7:23 AMFreya stirred slightly, her neck stiff and aching from where she had fallen asleep. She had slumped over in the hard chair with her head resting on the edge of Diego's hospital bed, her fingers curled loosely around his hand.The faintest movement beneath her palm made her brow furrow in confusion. Being half-awake, she shifted slightly, brushing it off as a trick of her tired mind. Then drowsily, her eyes sank downwards as she began to drift off to sleep once again.But then it happened again—a soft, deliberate squeeze on her fingers. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, and her mind, still heavy with exhaustion, struggled to make sense of what she was feeling at the moment.The sterile white of the hospital room came into focus, and her heart thumped hard as she lifted her head, her disheveled chestnut hair falling around her face. Her gaze fell on the source of the touch — Diego's hand which was intertwined with hers. Just then, Diego’s fingers moved again, wrapping weakly ar
4:17 AMFreya gently twisted the door knob and cracked the door open. Before stepping in, she scanned the hospital room where Diego lay. Letting out a silent sigh, she stepped into the room, ushering Noah in. Then she gave a slight nod to the nurse who accompanied her as if asking for privacy. The nurse got the message and left, shutting the door behind her. The hospital room was quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of the monitors. Freya's eyes misted, her hand steadying Noah's as they approached the bed. Diego lay unconscious, his skin pale against the stark white sheets. An IV drip snaked down to his arm, and there was a pulse oximeter sensor clipped on his index finger. She had prepared herself for this moment, but the reality of seeing Diego like this was far more painful than words could convey.Freya's heart sank, and her face reddened in anguish. The sight of Diego's helpless state stole Freya’s breath, but it was Noah who let out a soft, broken cry.His grip on her hand
As Freya settled back into her seat, trying to focus on the relief of Diego’s survival, Desmond’s phone suddenly buzzed, shattering the deafening silence.Desmond pulled his phone out, glanced at the screen, and furrowed his brow, making a show of standing up and stepping away.“Yeah?” he answered, his voice pitched just loud enough for them to hear. Freya and Noah exchanged uncertain glances before returning their gazes to Desmond once again.A short moment passed before Desmond nodded, his expression shifting to what Freya recognized as his version of “concern.” “What? Now? Alright, I’ll handle it.”He ended the call abruptly and slipped the phone into his pocket, turning back toward Freya and Noah. Then he gave a small, almost theatrical sigh.“I’ve got to go. Work emergency,” he said, the words almost too casual for the supposed urgency in his tone. “I’ll have to leave. Keep me posted on Diego.”His voice carried that familiar blend of arrogance and feigned importance, which trig
The waiting room was quiet except for the faint hum of the fluorescent lights and the occasional rustle of papers at the reception desk. The atmosphere was still, the kind of quiet that felt heavy and unnatural.Freya sat stiffly in one of the hard plastic chairs, her hands gripping the edge of her seat. Her eyes kept darting to the double doors of the emergency unit at the far end of the room, every nerve in her body tense. Diego’s life was behind those doors, and the uncertainty was suffocating.She felt like she was holding her breath, afraid to let it out in case it broke the fragile silence. Her emotions were spilled all over, tears welling up in her eyes. She had promised herself she wouldn't shed tears anymore and that Diego was going to survive. However, the feeling of self-pity washed over her as she reflected on all she had faced alongside her loved ones in just one day.Noah sat beside her, his small legs swinging just above the floor. His face was pale, his usual spark di