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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faintly, recognizing their

that assurance, they finally let her be. Knowing

now.

offered to walk them out, but they

Ellis remained-tall, broad-shouldered, and watching her with quiet intensity. He had a thousand thoughts, but

nod. "You should

will," Ellis replied,

door, and stepped inside. Just before closing it, she glanced back at him one last time -then shut

custody. Peace, one would think, should

parting ways with Kristian, uncase had

growing by the

her nose, she sighed, bone-tired, her mind already

moved deeper into

Had someone been here?

approached the sofa, where her phone had rested untouched for two days. Unlocking it, she

her home shone

calmly on the couch and spoke into the open air. "Will you come out on your own, or

out from the bedroom. It was Natasha. "I was

for

Natasha?

aback.

get Ashley back to Alerith safely?" Natasha plopped down opposite her. “I dropped her off and figured you might be returning, so I came to

her

with Ashley, Freya and Kristian were still in a precarious situation. How

known she would make it

saw someone rounding up Brendan men. That's why I stayed. I had

edged.

desperate moment-without Kristian's

have.

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wouldn't come

Freya said nothing

with water, and handed one to Natasha

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

arched a brow. "Spit it

was a pretty lady, she couldn't help but care more. "You've divorced Kristian. If you have the

Freya blinked. "What baby?"

if it were obvious-at Freya's belly. "That one." Freya was at a loss for words. There was no need to lie. And no use hiding Natasha mistook her silence for contemplation.

out of the picture, she

"Ashley told me herself-and I

false, Brendan wouldn't

out was exactly what I wanted you to find," Freya replied, a lesson

Kristian, she began

"But Brendan always said Ashley was the least likely