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
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