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

murmured, her tone

blinked, thrown by

up his messes? Tell me, Gerard-have you ever

stiffened; Gerard's

heartbeat, all five men stared at her

be the price of marrying into wealth-knowing her husband had left her for another woman while she was

them down. "A single one of those could

The blow landed perfectly.

"Well,

of eyes

in ways they couldn't

off playing hero for his darling, let's put

the black card between her fingers,

hadn't realized Kristian's departure would still claw

all she wanted was

the bodyguards

their shock, Freya resumed shopping, the card clutched like a

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

wrist and hauled

pain radiating through

accusation came like a

hired that hit-and-run driver, didn't you? I gave you everything you wanted, the house, the car, the money. What more do

like vengeance personified,

Freya's confusion was

glass. "You planned this.

your hired man ran her down.

frost, the kind that seeped into bones and

His absurd accusation had an ironic effect-it drained her

in derision. "How poetic. Turning betrayal into some grand

control frayed, his shout

status be damned. "Think. Why would I trash my fresh start-my freedom-over someone like

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