With that, the conversation came to a quiet close.
It was clear to everyone that the discussion about collaboration was just a facade.
They all recognized that Kristian’s casual mention of visiting the Briggs Group was nothing more than empty talk. In the ruthless world of business, nothing was set in stone until it was inked on the contract.
Once they had departed, Ethel wasted no time. She whipped out her phone and rapidly fired off a series of messages to Freya.
“Did you really marry Kristian just for his looks? He hardly seems to care about you.”
“I can’t stand the thought of him as my brother-in-law.”
“He’s absolutely unworthy of you!”
Within moments, Freya’s inbox already held a string of messages from Ethel.
Though Ethel knew little else, the cold indifference in Kristian’s eyes whenever he glanced at her sister spoke volumes. There was not a trace of love or warmth.
Had her sister not concealed her true identity, Ethel might have even thought that Kristian was only after her wealth.
Freya’s phone buzzed incessantly with Ethel’s rapid messages. She chose not to look at them just yet, knowing Kristian was still nearby.
“Can you handle yourself in a fight?” Kristian inquired, his figure looming over her as he stood by the car.
Freya struggled to engage in a meaningful dialogue with him. “I could take you down without breaking a sweat,” she declared with a smirk.
Both Kristian and Gerard were momentarily stunned into silence.
“Does the thought of Ethel introducing you to a dozen men make you feel more secure?” Kristian had been seething ever since Ethel had made that suggestion.
Freya’s intention was clear; she wanted to rile him up. “Precisely,” she replied coldly.
Kristian’s fury was palpable.
In his anger, he lashed out with words he might later regret. “Do you actually believe those affluent men would give you a second glance? Your past role as a bodyguard for the Briggs family is irrelevant. It’s a pipe dream to think you can ascend above your station.”
Kristian’s tone was biting. “Even if those affluent men notice you, it would merely be due to the Briggs family’s influence.”
He was all too familiar with the ways of this elite circle. If Freya were to immerse herself in it, she would be the one to suffer.
“I married a rich man once, why not do it all over again?” Unperturbed, Freya retorted. “Perhaps if I get married a few more times, my value might eventually eclipse yours.”
“Do you really believe anyone else would take an interest in you the way I did?” Kristian’s voice dripped with iciness.
Freya nodded, her voice steady. “It’s not beyond the bounds of possibility.”
“You certainly think highly of yourself,” Kristian retorted with a smirk. His voice took on a darker tone as he admitted, “I was only drawn to you because you reminded me of Ashley.”
A heavy silence fell over Freya.
Kristian, unable to contain his frustration, declared bitterly, “Had it not been for your resemblance to her, you wouldn’t have caught my eye a second time.”
Freya’s response was icy. “I dare you to say that again.”
It was one thing to suspect the truth, quite another to hear it confirmed. Being a mere substitute was not to her liking.
“The only reason I married you, cared for you, and stayed by your side is because you reminded me of Ashley.”
Suddenly, a loud bang erupted.
“Sir!” Gerard cried out, his voice laced with alarm.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Freya swung her fist, striking Kristian squarely in the face.
Had she not considered the risk of breaking his nose, she might not have restrained her punch at all.
“Do you think such words make me feel lesser, distressed, or somehow indebted to Ashley for my life?” Freya challenged, her tone devoid of sympathy as she spoke over Kristian’s groans.
Holding his throbbing cheek, Kristian sat stunned, speechless from the impact.
“Shouldn’t you feel that way?” Kristian grimaced in agony, his reply frosty as he struggled to maintain composure.
“You’re utterly delusional.” Freya’s anger was palpable, her voice laced with frustration as she shot back. “Why should I feel lesser and distressed by your blunders? Without Ashley Bradley, I would only thrive.”
“Just try and see.” With a venomous tone, Kristian’s anger boiled over, his words cutting deeply. “See if anyone else, apart from me, would offer you so much in a divorce. You really should know your place. I acknowledge your skill, yet the world teems with skilled individuals. In business, interests reign supreme. They’ll safeguard their wealth by prenuptial agreements, and if you part ways, you’ll be left with nothing.”
After striking him, a wave of calm washed over Freya. “Got it all out?”
“You are not Ethel; the Briggs family is no safety net for you,” Kristian sneered.
“My memory is just fine,” Freya snapped back, her tone stern. “I’m not looking to marry for a divorce payout.”
Kristian’s face softened momentarily, caught off guard.
Unyielding, Freya continued, “It doesn’t matter to me if he secures his wealth before we wed. I seek a partner who genuinely loves me, values our life together, and aspires to foster a loving home. Just because that’s how you live doesn’t mean everyone else does.” The last flicker of warmth in her heart died out completely then. “Not all men are fboys like you.”
Without pausing for his reaction or a reply, she turned on her heel and strode away.
Kristian remained rooted to the spot for what felt like an eternity, stunned and haunted by her departing words.
She had spoken of her longing for someone who truly loved and valued her.
Abruptly, a tide of disquiet overwhelmed him, as if something precious had slipped through his fingers, possibly forever.
“Sir, are you alright?” Gerard’s voice broke through the silence, hesitant and laced with concern.
The confrontation with Freya had been intense; she had even struck his boss.
.
.
.
The pain was more than physical.
Silently, Kristian slid into his car, slumped back into the seat, and shut his eyes.
The air inside the car grew thick with tension.
With no destination given, Gerard simply let the car drift through the streets.
After a stretch of time, Kristian’s eyes flickered open, veiled in a deep, unsettling darkness. He murmured, “Gerard.”
“I’m listening.”
“Do you think she’s right?” Kristian inquired, his voice tinged with suspicion.
Gerard paused, his words teetering on the brink of agreement. “Well…”
“If she truly didn’t care about the money, why then did she demand such a hefty sum in the divorce?” Kristian pressed, his demeanor growing increasingly frosty.
Trying to rationalize her actions to himself, he added, “Her intentions seem noble on the surface, but deep down, isn’t she just another opportunist?”
Gerard felt compelled to defend her. “I wouldn’t say she is like that, not at all.”
“She must be quite persuasive to have even swayed you,” Kristian remarked, his tone sharp, his skepticism about Freya deepening.
Feeling slightly cornered yet maintaining his composure, Gerard explained, “Under the law here, assets acquired during the marriage are considered joint property. It’s perfectly normal for her to claim half.” He cautiously omitted the fact that even Kristian’s brother sided with Freya.
“I never laid claim to her assets,” Kristian countered coldly.
“That was your decision,” Gerard pointed out.
Kristian’s voice chilled the air further. “Gerard!”
“Sir, there’s something you might not want to hear.” Bracing himself, Gerard continued, determined to offer a different perspective, “The truth is, you were unfaithful. She showed considerable restraint by not leaving you destitute.”
Kristian’s face soured at the accusation. “Since when have I been unfaithful?”
Gerard maintained a fixed gaze on the road, opting to remain silent.
Kristian’s irritation was mounting by the second.
At that moment, Gerard’s phone started ringing.
Glancing at the caller ID, he twisted around slightly and said, “It’s Miss Bradley on the line.”
“That’s on you,” Kristian retorted with a scowl, his mood souring further. “Haven’t you figured out that I’m not supposed to contact her now?”
Gerard nodded slightly, deciding to return the call later, and focused back on driving.
Meanwhile, Freya made her way back to the hospital.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.