She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 Let's Go Say Hi

To The Folks Next Door

9

"Sure," Kristian agreed, his voice tinged with the usual patience he reserved for Freya's whims.

As Freya continued to quietly eat, her thoughts wandered, puzzling over Kristian's presence.

Kristian couldn't help but grapple with the same question. Even after settling into a private room with his friends-Felipe Yates, always hungry for drama, and Zander- Kristian's mind replayed the earlier scene he couldn't shake off.

The image of Freya and Trent, seated unusually close at an expansive table, nagged at him.

"What's on your mind?" Felipe prodded with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "You mentioned wanting to

discuss something earlier. Why the brooding silence now?"

"It's nothing," Kristian muttered, dismissing the inquiry with a wave of his hand, his brow furrowed in irritation.

Felipe exchanged a knowing look with Zander.

Thriving on the thrill of the intrigue, Felipe couldn't help but stir the pot. “I heard Trent's reputation has been

spotless for nearly three decades-always distant, never tangled up with any woman. Seems like he's not as

aloof as the rumors made him out to be."

“That's for sure,” Zander chimed in, his voice smooth as he took a leisurely sip of his drink, his expression

unreadable.

The mere mention of Trent's name was enough to fan the flames of Kristian's annoyance. He snapped, glaring

at Felipe, "Don't you have anything better to do than dig up gossip?"

"Nope," Felipe retorted, his smile broadening, clearly enjoying the rising tension.

The three had been inseparable since they were kids, which explained why Felipe and Zander could weather

Kristian's storms of temper with such ease.

Kristian, feeling trapped in a maelstrom of emotion, fixed his eyes on Zander. His friend's aloofness pricked at

him, stirring memories of a clip from a reality show he and Freya had once watched. It was enough to reignite

his anger.

"You really think you're not a jerk, huh?" Kristian snapped, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Must be nice, sipping drinks without a care in the world!”

Zander, caught off guard, furrowed his brows in confusion. What did he do to- deserve this?

Felipe slung an arm around Zander and chuckled with a devilish glint in his eye. "Oh, let's not wast

1 on

a cuckold."

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Say Hi To

one to mince words, especially not with them, shot back. "Worry about your own mess, Felipe, At least Freya

jibe struck a nerve. Felipe's mischievous grin stiffened into

his stance. He inquired softly,

called this meeting?" Felipe interjected, his to now tinged with bitterness.

with it then."

deeply, “Look, I need

me, will you?"

the weight of unspoken debts as both men understood

owe anyone

pivoted sharply when one of them voiced

answered with a calm,

his voice laden with a mix

admitted, his tone flat

chimed in with a biting tone,

shattering you?"

slightly as he explained, "It turned out to be nothing but a

set the record straight

than he usually would,

with the divorce, so I need you two to keep an eye on her during this

noted her

for a moment,

acts like you're

your money, not you."

Kristian countered quickly, a protective edge to

see when she starts asking for her share during the divorce," Felipe retorted with a smirk, his words sharp. "People often wear masks of dignity and integrity, but who

be extraordinarily greedy."

frown deepened, a tangible weight of resistance settling into the creases of his

the type to care about money, but a flicker of doubt held him

her

the annoyance prickling under his skin making

increasingly difficult to s.

flavors of his meal.

the

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now and then, his eyes flickered towards the door of the private

anticipation he couldn't quite

with an explanation by now. Instead, thirty long minutes had ticked by without a

sigh, he took another distracted sip from his glass,

across the table, Felipe and Zander exchanged glances,

words until Felipe could no longer bear the heavy air. He rose, casually slipping a hand into his

Kristian's voice was sharp, a flat refusal hanging between them Freya was the one who had every reason

stance, Felipe pressed on, a gentle coaxing to his tone, "Trent traveled all the way from Alerith to Jeucwell; shouldn't we at least

hesitation, a flicker of conflict across Kristian's features before Zander's hand came

on his

reason, Kristian got up from

standing tall, their presence

members-only restaurant