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.

forcing a polished smile. "Mrs. Shaw, don't worry.

loyal employee," Freya murmured, her

blinked, thrown

cleaning up his

bodyguards stiffened; Gerard's smile

stared at her with something

marrying into wealth-knowing her husband had left her for another woman while

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

The blow landed perfectly.

pressed, "Well, anything

pairs of eyes widened in

mind worked in ways

his darling, let's put his money to better use."

her fingers, her voice

She hadn't realized Kristian's departure would still claw

all she wanted was to

and the bodyguards

by their shock, Freya resumed shopping, the

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

react, he seized Freya's wrist and hauled her toward the parking

against the car door, pain radiating through her.

like a whip crack, "Why hurt

you? I gave you everything you wanted, the house, the car, the money. What more

like vengeance personified,

Freya's confusion

His voice could've frosted glass. "You planned this.

be distracted while your hired man ran her down. You

Arctic frost, the kind that seeped into bones and made spines

His absurd accusation had

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

Briggs!" Kristian's control frayed, his shout raw with

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

why." His voice dropped