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.

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

Freya murmured, her

thrown by her

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

stiffened; Gerard's smile

heartbeat, all five men stared at her with something dangerously close

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

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

The blow landed perfectly.

pressed, "Well, anything

eyes

in

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

between her

surprised her. She hadn't realized Kristian's departure would still claw at

was to drain his account

the bodyguards

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

sat down to eat, he appeared like a storm,

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

against the car door, pain radiating through her.

came like a whip crack, "Why

suppressed rage. "You hired that hit-and-run driver, didn't you? I gave you everything you wanted, the house, the car, the money. What more do you want? Why did you

like vengeance personified, his

did I—" Freya's confusion was

His voice could've frosted glass.

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

that seeped into

His absurd accusation had an ironic effect-it drained her rage,

curling in derision. "How poetic. Turning betrayal into

control frayed, his shout raw

"Think. Why would I trash my fresh start-my freedom-over

dropped lower, a