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.

gold-rimmed glasses, forcing a polished smile. "Mrs. Shaw, don't worry. Mr. Shaw will return once he handles

employee," Freya murmured, her tone laced

thrown by her

the mall's glittering chandeliers, her voice deliberate. "Being his assistant is one thing. But cleaning up his messes? Tell

bodyguards stiffened; Gerard's

heartbeat, all five men stared at her with something dangerously

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

She gestured to the bags weighing them down. "A single

The blow landed perfectly.

pressed, "Well, anything

of eyes widened in

in ways they

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

black card between her fingers, her voice

hadn't realized Kristian's departure would

now, all she wanted was to drain his

and the

Freya resumed shopping, the card clutched like a

as she sat down to

and hauled her toward the parking area, his grip

door, pain radiating through her.

accusation came like a whip crack, "Why hurt

"You hired that hit-and-run driver, didn't you? I gave you everything you wanted, the

vengeance personified, his eyes

Freya's confusion

could've frosted glass. "You planned this. Picked today

her down.

that seeped into bones and

fury dissolved into something colder, sharper. His absurd accusation had

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

frayed, his

delusional." She didn't flinch, status be damned. "Think. Why would I

exactly why." His voice dropped lower, a blade pressed to her