She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Walls, Wheels, and Wounds 268

Chapter 268 Ashley Was

The Least Likely To Betra...

As the elevator doors slid open, Freya stepped out-only to be wrapped in a sudden embrace. "Freya!"

"Mina!"

One after another, the rest of the group gathered around her, encircling her in a collective hug that radiated

warmth.

Freya paused, eyes scanning the familiar faces. "Greta, Riley?"

"Freya! Don't forget about us!" Frederick interjected, clearly miffed that her greeting had stopped short. "Aren't

you worried Cade and Moss might start getting jealous?"

All seven of the group chat Seven Little Warriors had assembled.

Freya frowned, puzzled. "Why are you all here?"

"When your signal vanished, the Captain told us to return to Alerith and wait," Greta, as graceful as ever and

always kind to Freya, explained gently. "He gave his word-he'd bring you back."

"You nearly gave us a heart attack!" someone chimed in.

"No kidding."

"Why did you cut off the signal like that?"

"There were too many hostiles. Butterfly Island was crawling with enemies," Freya answered calmly. "If you had

followed me, I would've been too worried..."

She didn't complete the thought, but the silence that followed said it all.

"It's behind us now. The important thing is you're safe."

"Exactly!"

Ellis, standing just behind them, scanned the group. He could tell Freya still had matters weighing on her mind.

"Alright, that's enough for today," he advised. "Freya needs proper rest. You can all catch up tomorrow."

"Alright." Greta nodded, setting the tone. "We'll come find you first thing."

"But no sneaking into the office."

"Promise you'll spend time with us."

"Don't forget that!"

Each voice joined the chorus, firm yet affectionate.

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smiled faintly, recognizing their concern.

be. Knowing

now.

offered to walk them out, but they

a thousand thoughts, but they all condensed into a few simple words.

a small nod. "You should get some

Ellis replied, his voice

closing it, she glanced back at

Peace, one would think,

yet, since parting ways with Kristian, uncase had taken

but relentless, growing

bridge of her nose, she sighed, bone-tired, her mind

moved deeper into the apartment, something felt

Had someone been here?

approached the sofa, where her phone had rested untouched for two days. Unlocking it, she opened an app and activated the lights every corner of the house

instant, her home shone like

sat calmly on the couch and spoke into the open air. "Will

be so harsh." A voice floated out from the bedroom. It was Natasha. "I was

froze for

Natasha?

aback. "Why are

ask me to get Ashley back to Alerith safely?" Natasha plopped down opposite her. “I dropped

her with

had left with Ashley, Freya and Kristian were

she would make

like that," Natasha sighed. "When I left with Ashley, I saw someone

soft, but edged. "And if I hadn't

that final, desperate moment-without Kristian's

have.

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"No way you wouldn't come back. You're my

Freya said nothing

got up, filled two glasses with water, and handed

"Well... uh..." Natasha faltered.

a brow.

lady, she couldn't help but care more. "You've divorced Kristian. If you have the baby, what if he tries

Freya blinked. "What baby?"

was at a loss for words. There was no need to lie. And no use hiding Natasha mistook her silence for contemplation. "So... do

Brendan out

protested, eyes wide. "Ashley

that had been false, Brendan wouldn't have taken the

I wanted you to find," Freya replied,

to kill Kristian, she began working with me."

head. "But Brendan always said Ashley was the least likely to