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.

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

murmured,

thrown by

is one thing. But cleaning up his messes? Tell me, Gerard-have you ever seen a man ditch

stiffened; Gerard's

five men stared at her

into wealth-knowing her husband had left her for another woman while she was expected

gestured to the bags weighing them down. "A single

The blow landed perfectly.

pressed, "Well,

pairs of eyes widened in

worked in ways they couldn't

playing hero for his darling,

black card between her fingers, her

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

was to

and the bodyguards

by their shock, Freya resumed shopping, the

down

could react, he seized Freya's wrist and hauled

pain radiating through her.

a whip crack,

everything you wanted, the house, the car, the money. What more do

looked like vengeance personified,

Freya's confusion

frosted glass. "You planned this.

ran her down.

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

accusation had an ironic effect-it drained her rage,

curling in derision. "How poetic. Turning

control frayed, his shout raw with

damned. "Think. Why would I trash my fresh start-my

why." His voice dropped lower,