She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 69

Chapter 69 Was Ashley Deceiving Him

If it were any other day, Freya would have stirred awake by now.

Instead, she remained in a deep slumber, her body surrendering to complete exhaustion.

At the door, Kristian pressed Freya's limp finger against the lock, granting them access.

He carried her up to the second floor. Unfamiliar with the layout, he methodically opened doors until the second room revealed Freya's personal belongings scattered about.

With gentle movements, he removed her shoes and eased her onto the bed. Just as his fingers reached for her collar to help her change, her eyes snapped open.

Her hand darted out, gripping his wrist with surprising strength.

"It's me," Kristian murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Recognition flickered in her eyes before they fluttered closed again, her consciousness slipping back into the realm of dreams.

Kristian's brow furrowed as he observed this reaction. Had something in her past conditioned her to this defensive awakening?

Her response seemed less like normal waking and more like an instinctive safety check-a survival mechanism that needed confirmation of security before allowing her to drift back into vulnerability.

After changing Freya into her nightclothes, Kristian settled beside the bed, watching her peaceful form.

The realization struck him that despite their connection, he knew precious little about her history or the experiences that had shaped her.

His phone vibrated against his leg, interrupting his thoughts.

The screen displayed a message from Gerard, "Are you free now?"

Kristian tucked the blanket around Freya's shoulders before slipping out with his phone, careful not to disturb her rest. He descended to the living room, flicked on the lights, and initiated a call.

Gerard perked up instantly at the connection.

His employer was still awake.

"Good evening, Mr. Shaw," he said promptly, a hint of nervousness coloring his tone.

is it?” Kristian's voice remained measured, betraying

me to investigate Miss Bradley's illness and I've completed

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69 Was Ashley

his occasional impertinence. "The findings differ somewhat

positioned himself by the floor-to-ceiling window,

and treatments for stomach cancer abroad," Gerard explained, carefully framing the information. "However, domestically, there are

hand as realization dawned:

are typically maintained for two years," Gerard offered diplomatically, seeking to avoid uncomfortable conclusions. "She might

word, Kristian terminated

called him. She had mentioned receiving her diagnosis report just one day before their breakup.

their separation,

many institutions didn't purge their systems immediately after this period elapsed. Retention periods were

thought materialized

motive would drive her to such deception? If she desired his companionship, why initiate their

swirled through his

a message to Gerard, "Is your

the swift reply. "To eliminate any possibility of error, I conducted three separate verifications, with identical results each time." Kristian absently rubbed his phone, his mind formulating a

hesitated to doubt Ashley's integrity. Learning from Liam that Ashley remained awake, Kristian initiated a call. She answered immediately, her voice trembling with emotion. "Kristian..." "Why haven't you gone to bed?" he inquired, his

don't understand my own behavior earlier. I truly never intended to

now," Kristian replied, his lips parting slightly. "Once your health improves, I'll arrange

Ashley's body tensed involuntarily.

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68 Was

hung precariously in the balance "Oh, plow

eyes betraying a flicker of concern "Having you examined would alleviate my

subtle investigation had

early, Kristian ended the call and stretched out on the

recollection X only to sitting in Kristian's passenger seat, succumbing to fatigue, and leaning against the

Then consciousness had returned.

and prepared to slip her feet into slippers when she

pajamas

understood Kristian had