She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 196

Chapter 196 Everyone's Got To Stumble Before They...

"Why don't you worry about your own mess first?" Kristian said coldly as he strolled toward his car.

"My mess is all cleaned up," Felipe shot back, his usual lazy smirk and gleam of mischief creeping back into

place. "Freya said Farrah's coming back to findin a bit."

After all, he and Farrah were still husband and wife-unlike Kristian and Freya.

Kristian's expression shifted, barely perceptible.

"Are you certain that's what Freya said?"

"She toldback at the hotel, maybe two or three hours ago," Felipe replied plainly, holding nothing back. "She

may have left you hanging, but don't worry-I'd never leave a friend high and dry."

"Are you really that sure Farrah's not coming back just to file the divorce papers?" Kristian cut straight through

the pleasantries.

Felipe's smile stiffened.

Kristian laid it out, sharp and cold. "After everything you put her through, if you were her, would you forgive?"

Felipe didn't need a second to ponder. The answer hit him before he could blink.

All his earlier bravado and teasing spirit drained in an instant. Something about what Kristian said rang painfully

true. If Farrah really was coming back, it was probably to end things for good.

With that gnawing thought, he yanked open the car door and stepped out, intending to storm back into the hotel

and demand answers from Freya.

Kristian grabbed his arm. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm going to ask your ex-wife a few questions," Felipe said, tone turning cold and stripped of humor.

Gone was the man who'd been poking fun at Kristian moments ago-he'd flipped into someone else entirely.

Kristian didn't budge, blocking his path. "It won't do any good."

"I've got to try."

"If you run up there now, all you'll do is walk away with nothing-and maybe a bruised ego if she kicks you out,"

Kristian said evenly. "Think before you act."

But Felipe wasn't about to back down. He needed clarity, and nothing else mattered.

Kristian leaned against the car, calm as ever, and added thoughtfully as Felipe started forward, "Ask yourself—

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Chapter 198 Everyone's Got To Stumble Before They Grow

what do you have over her? What advantage do you actually hold?"

That question made Felipe pause. He couldn't beat her physically. Her background far outshone his. When it

cdown to it, he had no leverage at all.

"You can't rein her in?" he asked, feeling just a little off balance.

Kristian said nothing, climbed into his car, started the engine, and drove off without another word.

Felipe stared up at the hotel one last time, then turned and left.

Originally, he had cto ask Freya when Farrah might return and to find out what she'd been up to lately.

But now, Kristian's words echoed loud in his mind. Asking would be pointless.

Freya wasn't someone who gave in easily. And more than that-she was a force to be reckoned with.

Back at the hotel, Liam had already sent Lionel home.

Most of the guests had gone, but Isaac and Melinda remained, seemingly waiting for Kristian.

Kristian paused, then made his way over with his usual poise. "Why haven't you left yet?"

"You walked Freya and her father back to their hotel?" Melinda asked.

A flicker of emotion passed through Kristian's eyes, but his voice remained gentle. "Yes."

She watched him closely. As his mother, she understood him more than anyone else could.

She said nothing more then-just decided to head hfirst.

During the ride, with Kristian behind the wheel and Isaac and Melinda seated in the back.

Silence hung heavy until Melinda finally spoke, her tone cautious. "Kristian."

"Yes?"

"Are you still planning on going to Alerith?" she asked, beating around the bush. But he understood what she

really meant. "Yes."

"But Freya..." Melinda hesitated. She wanted to talk him out of it, but the words didn't ceasily.

She had seen clearly that Freya was keeping her distance now. The warmth she once had for Kristian had cooled.

If he kept pushing, he might just push her further away.

"I know what I'm doing," Kristian said quietly. He understood what she was trying

to say, but he wasn't ready to give up just yet. Even if Freya acted like he didn't exist, he still wanted to try.

At the very least, he needed to uncover whoever had been pulling the strings behind all the chaos.

And if, after that, she still wanted nothing to do with him, then he'd step away.

Melinda and Isaac exchanged a glance but didn't press further. This was their son's path to walk

That night, it was obvious something was weighing on Kristian. He still behaved the same-gently coaxing

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< Chapter 196 Everyone's Got To Stumble Before They Grow

Lionel to rest early.

But anyone who paid attention could see the storm simmering beneath his calm surface.

After finishing his usual duties and retreating to his room, Lionel, still not asleep, let out a heavy sigh. "I warned

him he'd regret that divorce, but he never believed

me."

"Everyone's got to stumble before they grow," Liam said, ever the optimist. "It might not be such a bad thing."

No one's life was without cracks.

10

Kristian had always stood out in school, racked up awards, and made the company thrive under his leadership.

He had the pedigree, the looks-falling short in love was his one flaw.

"Should we let you stumble too?" Lionel huffed, still emotional over Freya, the daughter-in-law he missed. "At this

rate, Kristian might never remarry. If you don't settle down soon, you'll be stuck managing the company!"

Liam's expression twisted. How had the conversation suddenly shifted to him?

He leapt to his feet. "Oh-just remembered I've got a call to make. Goodnight, Grandpa!"

Lionel let him go without exposing the obvious escape tactic. That brat only knew how to chase after fun,

dodging company responsibilities at every turn. It was all Kristian's fault, always indulging his younger brother.

In the blink of an eye, morning came.

Freya and Hugh had returned to Alerith, easing back into their routines.

Kristian and Gerard had gone abroad for business.

On the plane, Gerard couldn't help but notice that Kristian hadn't said a single word since they met-not because

he was being distant, but because his mind clearly wasn't there.

Gerard couldn't help but wonder what had gone down at the banquet the night before.

Given how critical this trip was, if Kristian wasn't in the right state of mind, it could jeopardize not just the

company's profits-but Gerard's bonus too.

He hadn't stashed away enough for retirement yet.

He said bluntly, "Sir, did you and Ms. Briggs have another fight?"

Freya was the only one who could shake Kristian like this.

Finally, a flicker of expression crossed Kristian's face as he cast Gerard a cutting

glance.

If Gerard couldn't talk properly, he might as well keep quiet!

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