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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recognizing their

that assurance, they finally let her be. Knowing

now.

to walk them out, but they waved

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

gave a small nod. "You

Ellis replied,

and stepped inside. Just before closing it, she glanced

custody. Peace, one would think, should

with Kristian, uncase had taken root in her

relentless, growing

bone-tired, her mind already circling around Kristian and

deeper into the apartment,

Had someone been here?

two days. Unlocking it, she opened

her

into the open air. "Will you come out on your own, or shall I call security

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

froze for a

Natasha?

stared, taken aback.

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

eyed her with

Freya and Kristian

known she would make

look at me like that," Natasha sighed. "When I left with Ashley, I saw someone rounding up Brendan men. That's why I

edged. "And if I hadn't

moment-without

have.

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wouldn't come back. You're my invincible

Freya said nothing

glasses with water, and handed one to

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

brow. "Spit

since discovering her mentor was a pretty lady, she couldn't help but care more. "You've divorced Kristian. If

Freya blinked. "What baby?"

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

With Brendan out of the picture, she no

way!" Natasha protested, eyes wide. "Ashley told me herself-and

had been false, Brendan wouldn't have taken the

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

her to kill Kristian, she began working with me." Natasha

"But Brendan always said Ashley was the least likely to