hapter 20Michael's povI couldn't shake off the memory of that kiss with Freya. It was the same feeling I had expected to experience with Emma, but never did. I was perplexed by my reaction - I wasn't even attracted to Freya, yet her kiss had left me feeling lost.As I recalled her tears, I felt a pang in my chest. It was my first time seeing her so close. Her delicate features, long lashes, and brown irises had touched something within me. And those soft, moist lips... it was as if she had invited me in."Michael, you're so stupid," I muttered to myself, pushing the thought away. I stood up, grabbed my laptop, and focused on more pressing matters. Our company's annual event was approaching, and I hoped Grandfather would finally announce my official inheritance rights.I decided not to return to my mansion that night. I knew Alexis and Raymond would be lurking around, but I was confident I could handle them. After all, they wouldn't dare misbehave on my own property.However, my com
Chapter 20Freya's POVThe night dragged on, and I didn't get a wink of sleep. Being in Ambrose's mansion felt like residing in the devil's lair. I stepped out of my room, constantly glancing at the clock. It was already past 8. I needed to get to Michael's place as soon as possible.If he discovered I hadn't spent the night at the hospital, he might send his secretary to tail me. That was a complication I didn't need, especially with Waylen still missing. "Freya, you're awake?" Ambrose's familiar cold voice cut through the air.I turned to face him. "What are the cops saying?" I asked, frustration and confusion etched on my face.Ambrose's expression remained impassive. " Where was the last time you saw Waylen?" I pressed, impatience creeping into my voice.Ambrose's words dripped with sarcasm. "Are you nervous because you should be with your husband? Come on, Freya. Your husband will understand if you tell him you were searching for your missing child."I clenched my fists, tempted
Chapter 21Emma's POVI had just received a message from Alexis; Michael's mansion was empty, and it was time to keep a close eye on things. As the only one who could gather the information I needed from Michael, I had a crucial role to play. After all, I was Emma."Is he back yet?" I asked Alexis thirty minutes later, arriving at Micahel's abode."No, not yet," Alexis replied. "But why are you really doing this? You love Michael."I paused, momentarily silent. "That's exactly why I'm doing this. Because I love him.""Here, we forged a key to his room," Alexis said, handing me the key. "Be quick, Emma, and don't leave anything behind."I nodded, taking the key, and slipped into Michael's room. The familiar scent enveloped me, and I felt a rush of memories. Nothing had changed about him.My gaze fell upon my portrait, slightly cracked but still proudly displayed on the glass table. "Oh, Michael," I whispered, a mix of emotions swirling within me.This discovery only confirmed the lies
Chapter 22Micahel's POV"Micahel, I'm so hurt," Emma said, her voice trembling with anger and desperation. "I need you to divorce that woman now! I'll do everything to make sure Grandpa hands over the inheritance to you, even without getting married." Emma said, emerging into the hallway few minutes after Freya had left.I glared at her, my voice icy and controlled. "Why did you do it?"Emma's eyes widened, blinking rapidly as if she was taken aback by my response. "What are you talking about, Micahel?" she asked, her voice sugary sweet, feigning innocence."Why did you come into my home, invading my privacy by raiding my room and..." I paused, my voice trailing off, uncertainty washing over me. The truth was, I didn't know whom to support in this situation."...fighting my wife?" I said. Emma's smile was instantaneous, her eyes sparkling with amusement."Your wife?" she repeated, her tone laced with sarcasm. "C'mon Michael, drop the act. She's your wife, but you have none of her bel
Chapter 23Freya's POVI was surprised by Ambrose's sudden agreement to let me leave after our journey to the station. I had been preparing myself to gather information about him, but it was as if he could read my mind.Sleep eluded me while I was in his home, a place I could only describe as the devil's lair.When I finally returned home, I was looking forward to a quiet nap. However, my expectations were shattered when I saw Emma approaching my room, as if she had some business there. I suspected that Alexis might have helped her get in.Emma's insults cut deep, striking not only me but also my pride. Her words ignited a fire within me, and I could barely contain my anger. I was eager to unleash my fury upon her.She scratched me with her nails, but I refused to let go of her clothing, tearing it down to her cleavage. Initially, I didn't want to attack her, knowing Michael would never take my side over hers.Michael's words still lingered in my mind, "It was never your fight, Emma h
Chapter 24Ambrose's POV"How's Waylen doing?" I asked, gulping down the vodka as I stared into Raymond's eyes."Ambrose, the little boy won't stop crying. And here's something strange he's never done in a while," Raymond said, pausing as I became curious. "He said he wants to meet his mom. He wants her to cuddle him. He doesn't want the nanny from Australia; he said he needed his mom."I laughed loudly, taking another sip of vodka. "Of course. How do you expect me to believe that crap? How can a three-year-old boy say such weighty words?"Raymond's expression turned serious. "Perhaps if you acted more like a father to the poor child, you'd know what he's capable of. Why do you have to lock him up like that?"My fist clenched, and I closed my eyes, controlling my wrath. "Freya is that little boy's mother," I confessed, not beating about the bush.Raymond tried to deny it, but I cut him off. "You're aware of it. You're just pretending you're not. You're smarter than I am, Raymond."He
Chapter 25Ambrose's POVI stood confidently, my eyes locked onto the three main investors from Michael's company. "Do you really think Michael's company event will hold without you all?" I asked, my voice firm but laced with a hint of urgency. "Michael's relying on each and every one of you to fund his company. SMITH Tech Inc.'s very existence is nothing without your investment."Their expressions revealed a glimmer of conviction, but I knew I had to push harder. I paused, scanning the room as I addressed each investor by name. "Mrs. Sarah, Mr. Ben, Mr. Roosevelt..." My gaze lingered on each face, ensuring I had their undivided attention."SMITH Tech is on the brink of bankruptcy," I continued, my tone serious and somber. "You won't put all your investment in a place that will yield nothing." My words were so weighty that the whole room was filled with tension.The only woman among them, Mrs. Sarah, became visibly anxious the moment she heard the word "bankruptcy." Her eyes widened,
Chapter 26Freya's POVA week had suddenly passed since Waylen was found. Somehow, I felt there was something fishy about his disappearance, but I waved it off. As long as my boy wasn't hurt.Grandpa had gone for a trip days ago. Hence, I had dodged a way to escape the lunch date that Ambrose had pestered me about. My relationship with Michael hadn't been intimate, but we were far from enemies now. Though we barely talked.I wore a little piece of clothing after a night shower. "Hey, girlie... you're good?" I smiled, staring at Naomi's message. I've really missed my best friend. Going to the cinemas, dates, and even covering each other's shifts.[C'mon, when would you invite me over to your place? Or aren't you allowed to bring in anyone?"] [Of course not. I just felt you wouldn't wanna come. You know... you might actually feel uncomfortable..."] I read my messages and deleted them suddenly. Then I sent another one; [You can come visit after your shift. Since my mom is okay now.][Is
Chapter 74Freya's POVI had received the message from Ambrose that my mom had regained her consciousness. I closed my eyes in shame after Ambrose ended the call. If only Michael had given me an audience. But then, he even had to go as far as placing a strict order never to let me find a decent job. But then, I still needed to do everything possible right here in Ambrose's apartment.As I walked down the hallway, one of the cooks from his mansion approached me. "You've been lurking around the premises. Boss said you leave immediately you're done with your duties."I cursed her from within, feeling a surge of anger. "I'm... waiting for my son to...""He doesn't even recognize you as his mother. You should be ashamed of yourself as a mother. How dare you run back to the boss the moment Mr. Michael discarded you?" She asked rhetorically, her voice dripping with disdain.I snapped, my anger boiling over. "I don't think I owe you any explanation." I turned to walk away, but she grabbed my
Chapter 73Michael's POVI lost it all in me, hearing Ambrose's words that Freya had returned to him. My heart felt like it was being squeezed out of my chest. I couldn't imagine a world where Freya would give all of her commitment to Ambrose. I couldn't imagine a world where Freya would become Ambrose's ally. The past weeks without her had been so challenging that I'd always drive to her home secretly every night, just to make sure she was okay. But then, she was with Ambrose? I couldn't take in all of Ambrose's insults anymore."What did you say? Who's involved in whose accident?""Have you always been this greedy and self-centered? To think that you'd hurt your family this much?" I fired, my face probably whitened from the annoyance I was feeling at that moment. Ambrose began to laugh, a never-ending laugh that made my inner mind boil with anger and resentment. I'd never thought a day would come when I'd have to resent a member of the family to death."You killed her with your car.
Chapter 72Ambrose's POV"How dare that old freak!" I fired, throwing my phone against the entrance wall as I heard Grandpa's words. Was he really serious about keeping Michael as the beneficiary; after everything I've done to make him unworthy?"Are you okay?" Freya asked, approaching me. I narrowed my gaze, looking deeply into her as I kept wondering what her stay would make me. I have to make use of this moment."Waylen is asleep. He needs to see his mother when he wakes up. I have something urgent to do," I said, taking a few steps as I turned back at her; "Don't you lurk around my home." I warned, walking swiftly without having a look at the broken phone...........It took a few minutes before I stopped at Jason's apartment. I laughed, a deep mocking smile, wondering why Michael would abandon his mansion and rest his head in a small duplex like this. He sure does have low taste."What do you want?" Jason's words came out, opening the gate, and I glared at him with a mixture of a
Chapter 71Freya's POVMy hands shivered as I held onto Naomi's letter firmly. Tears kept falling from my lashes as I was about to open it when my mom's voice caught me off guard."You know, you don't have to force yourself to open it. When you feel it's the right time, you'll definitely see what's contained in it. My child, you need to give yourself a break. You've been in tears since the incident," my mother said, as I nodded slowly, my face fixed on hers as I wondered how I was going to live without her. Ambrose had threatened me with her life."What do you plan to do, my child?" my mother finally asked, as I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath."He's divorcing me already; there's nothing left for me to do, Mother. Michael hates me now," I whispered."Baby, you love him. I know I flared up, realizing the fact that you got into a fake marriage just to save me. But then, my child has found happiness in that man. I can't let you give up now," my mother said."Mother! It's not going t
Chapter 70Ambrose's POV"Oh, my sweet loving Freya. If only you knew how much of your mother's life you have saved. I want you to be more specific, Freya. What do you want to do for your man?" I asked, whispering as I rested behind my car, giving her a full scrutiny."I already asked you. What do you want me to do for you? Cook for you, clean for you? I'll definitely not work my ass for you. I won't be your dog, just like Alexis and the rest of them," she spat, as I laughed. I was surprised by her confidence. For a while, I felt she only became this proud due to Michael's connection with her. But then, she was no longer with Michael. She was more or less a hopeless person; how dare she speak with so much pride?I still had a lot of things to do with Freya. I needed her to explore all of my plans."Do you really want me to beg you?""You have no right to threaten my mother's life, else I'll be forced to report you to the cops," her words made me laugh loudly. I had almost forgotten m
Chapter 69Freya's POVI already had my body covered with eggs as everyone fought to make a video of me. "Fuck you, whore! Gold digger!" they had called me. I couldn't contact anyone through my cellphone as I wandered around the city, looking terrible.The pain I was feeling within was far more than the eggs and objects that were being thrown at me. I could remember the look Michael had given me, and I knew he would never forgive me for everything."Michael," I whispered, as I used the last strength in me to place a knock on the door."My child," my mother called in a broken voice. Her expression probably revealed that she must have heard about everything. But then, I wondered how she knew; my mother never listened to the news nor used a big mobile phone."Mum," I called, forcing a smile, trying to be happy."My child, you can cry it out, baby. I know everything that happened, baby girl.""Mom," I cried, hugging her tightly. "It hurts so much, Mother. Michael... Michael.""Shh... save
Chapter 68Emma's POVI couldn't be happier to see all of my plans working out. The pain and tears in Freya's eyes couldn't be satisfying enough. The fact that Michael felt totally betrayed couldn't stop my whole inside from jubilating with joy.I thanked Naomi for the job well done. But then, the timid girl would probably have been on her way out of the country. Poor Freya."Michael, are you okay?" I asked, watching him drink champagne from the bottle. I felt so torn within me to watch him depressed over what had happened earlier? I thought he once said he'd be fine without Freya."Baby, are you okay? Come on, everyone has left. You should probably leave too. I can drive you home, baby," I said, taking a seat beside him as I placed my hand on his."I don't need you by my side. It's late; you should leave. I can drive myself," he spat, his words coming out like venom.I needed to use this opportunity to stay closer to Michael. I needed Michael to see that I was ten times better than F
Chapter 67Freya's POVThe sudden photos of Ambrose and I left me stunned. They were pictures that I alone had kept in my safe box. I could remember how I wanted to get rid of them countless times, but somehow, my mother had urged me to keep them, in case my son demanded proof before accepting me as his mom.But then, why did the pictures from my closet become revealed to the press? There was no way my mom, Naomi, could do this. But then, I couldn't bear to see Michael this way as I kept mute, not finding suitable words to say."Is Waylen your son?" a reporter asked. And I knew I couldn't run from this question. Waylen was my weakness. I'd always prayed to reveal our relationship to the world, but why did it hurt this way?I could see Michael's trust for me, but then, I couldn't forgive myself for hiding the truth from him this much."Michael, I..." I called,"I trusted you, Freya," he said, as the words cut through my heart."She's a whore," some of the people who had gathered began
Chapter 66Michael's POVI darted my gaze from my phone to Freya. I couldn't believe what I had seen. My grip on the phone tightened, but then I managed to keep my emotions and anger in check. I would never believe anything that hadn't been confirmed by Freya. There was no way she could do this to me."Michael, what's going on?" she asked, as reporters flocked in. I didn't remember inviting these reporters. Someone must have framed Freya and planned it perfectly for today's event."Freya, what's this?" I asked, showing her the pictures containing intimate moments with her and Ambrose, with the headline: [Billionaire Michael Smith, guilty for stealing brother's lover.] Everyone's faces were fixed on Freya and me. I didn't want this precious moment to be ruined this way, but I'm afraid nothing could be done, for Grandpa had also joined the onlookers."Freya?" I asked, hoping she'd defend herself and prove them wrong. There was no way Freya must have met Ambrose."Miss Freya Rogers, do