She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Why Hurt Ashley

Gerard Todd, Kristian's ever-dutiful assistant, hesitated for a moment before asking, "Sir, should I go ahead and book a restaurant?"

Kristian massaged his temples, irritation flashing across his face. "No need."

He knew Freya was venting her frustration. If splurging eased her temper, so be it -he'd let her spend freely.

The moment the words left his mouth, his phone vibrated. Another alert flashed- over thirty million had just vanished from his account.

Gerard averted his eyes, while the four bodyguards stood stiffly, arms laden with shopping bags like silent, overburdened mules.

Freya strode out of the jewelry boutique and casually handed her latest purchase to Gerard, whose hands were conspicuously empty. Just as she turned to

continue her spree, Kristian's phone rang.

His posture shifted instantly. The tension in his shoulders eased, his frown softening as he glanced at the caller ID. Long fingers cradled the phone, his voice uncharacteristically tender as he answered. "Hello, Ashley."

Gerard and the bodyguards exchanged startled glances. Had their boss forgotten Freya was standing right there?

"Ashley was in a car accident on her way to a hospital follow-up. She's

unconscious—still in surgery," the voice on the line blurted, frantic. "Please come. She kept calling your name before they took her in."

"Send the address. I'm on my way." Kristian's chest constricted, the words sharp with urgency.

He ended the call, his gaze flickering to Freya.

An explanation hovered on his lips, but he swallowed it. Instead, he turned to Gerard and the bodyguards. "Stay with her. Buy whatever she wants. If it doesn't fit in the car, have it delivered by this afternoon."

"Yes, sir," the five men chorused.

Without another word, Kristian strode off, leaving Freya and the others in his wake.

An uncomfortable silence settled over the group.

Shaw, don't worry.

murmured,

blinked, thrown

studied the mall's glittering chandeliers, her voice deliberate. "Being his assistant is one thing. But cleaning up his messes? Tell me, Gerard-have you ever seen a man ditch

bodyguards stiffened; Gerard's

men stared at her with something

be the price of marrying into wealth-knowing her husband had left her

bags weighing them down. "A single one of those could cover your salary for

The blow landed perfectly.

pressed, "Well, anything you'd

eyes

in

off playing hero for his darling, let's put his

the black card between her fingers, her voice

hadn't realized Kristian's departure would still claw

all she wanted was to

the bodyguards

resumed shopping, the card clutched

linger at the hospital all day. But as she sat down to eat, he appeared like

anyone could react, he seized Freya's wrist and hauled her toward

against the car door, pain radiating through her. She winced.

accusation came like a whip crack, "Why hurt

didn't you? I gave you everything you wanted, the house, the car, the money.

vengeance personified,

I—" Freya's

glass. "You

ran her down. You know I'd die

was Arctic frost, the kind that seeped into

accusation had an ironic effect-it drained her

met his gaze, lips curling in derision. "How poetic. Turning betrayal into

Kristian's control frayed, his shout

flinch, status be damned. "Think. Why would I

voice dropped lower, a