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.

polished smile. "Mrs. Shaw, don't worry. Mr. Shaw will return once he

employee," Freya murmured, her tone

thrown by

"Being his assistant is one thing. But cleaning up his messes? Tell me, Gerard-have

bodyguards stiffened;

stared at her with

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

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

The blow landed perfectly.

"Well, anything

eyes widened

worked in ways

darling, let's put his money to

card between her fingers, her voice

sting surprised her. She hadn't realized

all she wanted was to drain his account

the

by their shock, Freya resumed shopping, the card

But as she sat down to eat, he appeared like a storm, his

Freya's wrist and hauled

radiating through her.

like a whip crack,

trembled with suppressed rage. "You hired that hit-and-run driver, didn't you? I gave you everything you wanted, the house, the car, the

vengeance

did I—" Freya's

frosted glass.

her down. You know I'd die before letting her

was Arctic frost, the kind that seeped into bones and

His absurd accusation had an ironic effect-it

lips curling in derision.

Kristian's control frayed,

status be damned. "Think. Why

exactly why." His voice dropped