Freya exited the taxi, a stone's throw from her home. With broad smiles spread across her face, she walked into the driveway, heading towards the front door. She wrapped up work early to tackle her food truck responsibilities. Since Noah's school day wasn't over, she headed home first, planning to pick him up later.As she walked towards the front door, her gaze fell upon Diego who leaned on a sleek, glossy sports car. Its vibrant, crimson-red color gleamed in the sunlight, drawing her attention.She froze momentarily, stunned by the sight of him as he hadn't informed her of his visit beforehand.Diego, sensing her surprise, let out a short silent chuckle, his eyes lit up with joy. He stood up straight and dipped his hands in his pockets, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Hey, beautiful”, he called out, his voice laced with excitement.With uncertainty etched on her face, Freya approached him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a warm embrace. Flashing a warm smile at
Noah and his friends at school had fun in the playground, agilely running around in excitement. The school playground vibrated with energy, children's laughter echoing off the swings and slides. Noah, his messy golden hair ruffling in the wind, chased after his friends in a heated game of tag, their sneakers squeaking on the vibrant rubber surface. Just as he sprinted towards the swings, his gaze suddenly fell upon a figure standing near the fence, partially hidden by the shade of a tall oak tree. His frame and body structure seemed eerily familiar and he couldn't help but take a few steps forward to take a closer look.Just then, his footsteps faltered, and his cheerful grin vanished. It was Desmond.Desmond stood with his arms crossed, watching him with an intense gaze as he leaned on the oak tree. His gaze held a hint of friendliness, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.Noah's feet rooted to the spot, his heart racing with mixed emotions. His friends continued playing, obliviou
Desmond was gone, and he took a huge chunk of Noah's peace of mind with him. The rest of Noah's day at school was ruined, leaving him scared and uneasy.Recess was still ongoing and Noah's friends invited him to play soccer, but he declined, faking a stomach ache. As he sat alone on a bench, his eyes scanned the playground, half-expecting his monstrous father to come back again.The threat lingered, poisoning every moment. Noah felt trapped, unsure who to trust or confide in. Desmond's warning echoed in his mind, sending chills down his spine.His anxiety lingered for days, and he was unable to tell Freya or anyone. Freya seemed stressed. To Noah, it seemed she was mentioned on the news alongside Diego. That was when Noah remembered Desmond's words about putting Diego in a mess of scandals. He didn't want to bother any of them. Besides, he didn't want to put them in trouble as Desmond had threatened to hurt them.Days went by and Noah's anxiety grew, manifesting in restless sleep, dim
Diego leaned back in his plush black leather swivel chair, his eyes fixed on the framed photo of Noah and Freya on his polished mahogany desk. With a deep sigh, he opened his laptop and logged in. His fingers frantically flew across the keyboard, his laptop screen glowing with search results. He sat hunched over his desk, his eyes scanning the screen with laser focus as he scrolled through adoption laws, paternity cases, and custody battles.With uncertainty etched on his face, he glanced through the few promising results which were too feeble to defend his resolve or console him.Files and papers cluttered his desk as well as Post-It notes scribbled with key points and questions. Diego's eyes scanned the information, his analytical mind absorbing each detail, searching for loopholes and strategies.He was fully aware of the consequences of his actions and how delicate the matter was. He could be saving a child's life or causing more harm than good. It had to be one. And he hoped it
Diego stopped by Freya's place after work, his sole intention to shed light on the adoption process, revealing how his lawyer had finalized the necessary documents and the significant role he would assume as Noah's father once the paperwork was officially processed.However, he was aware that Freya might feel betrayed and angry. So he decided to take it easy and not explain everything at once.In the living room, Freya and Diego settled into the couch together, watching TV. Diego wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close while Freya snuggled into his chest, laughing at the sitcom on TV.Just as the show reached its climax, Noah's hearty chuckles echoed from the next room, followed by the sound of toys crashing. The noise diverted their attention from the TV show and they exchanged uncertain glances.“Sounds like someone needs attention”, Diego said to Freya, smiling warmly.“Yeah, typical Noah. Let me go check up on him”, Freya said with a chuckle, starting to rise.“No,
Diego pulled up to Noah's school after work. He opted to drive himself to pick up Noah, without the aid of his driver.As he walked along the hallway heading to Noah's classroom, his heart raced with anticipation. He had been waiting for this moment for what felt like an eternity. The adoption papers were finally official, and he couldn't wait to share the news with Noah.For the first time, he felt like a real father and the thought of picking Noah up after the adoption papers have been made official made his heart swell with pride. Noah was now his son.As he stepped into the classroom and greeted Noah's teacher, Noah’s heart leaped for joy on setting his eyes on him.“Diego!” He exclaimed, sprinting into his arms.Diego wrapped his arms around Noah in a fierce hug, ruffling his hair playfully. Then, Diego sealed their hug with a gentle kiss on the top of Noah's head.“Diego, you won't believe what happened today”, Noah said, his words spilling out.Diego's face lit up with a warm s
Diego and Freya lay entwined in bed, reluctant to succumb to the morning's call. Their bodies relaxed in a tangle of sheets and blankets with Diego's arms wrapped tightly around Freya, holding her close as they savored the morning's warmth together. Freya's chestnut hair spilled across Diego's chest, and her gentle breathing synced with his. Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over Diego's luxurious bedroom. The city outside was slowly coming to life, the distant hum of traffic and chirping birds creating a gentle melody. Suddenly, the shrill ringtone of Diego's phone shattered the serenity and jolted them both awake. With a loud yawn, he groggily reached over to the nightstand, his eyes squinting against the bright light. Freya stirred and stretched her hands, yawning softly. Slowly, she opened her eyes and propped herself up on an elbow, her gaze meeting Diego. Diego squinted at his phone screen and his expression tightened as he
NEWS HEADLINE: Billionaire Diego Hunter Embroiled in Adoption Scandal“...shocking news tonight. Renowned billionaire Diego Hunter has found himself at the center of a highly publicized scandal. Allegations have surfaced that Diego illegally adopted Noah July, the biological son of fellow billionaire Desmond July, without his knowledge or consent”, the news anchor reported.Freya's shoulders slumped and her spirits dampened, her face wiped clean of color. She stole a concerned glance at Diego who sat beside her on the couch watching the news in peak anticipation, his jaw clenched in tension.“...According to reports, Diego adopted Noah with the consent of Noah's mother, Freya July, Desmond's estranged wife. The adoption allegedly took place without Desmond's awareness or involvement and CEO Desmond July fights back with a lawsuit…”The image on the news shifted to a live video of news outlets swarming outside Diego's mansion. Luckily, he was at Freya's house. But he wasn't so lucky be
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