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, | 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 cfind you first thing."

"But no sneaking into the office."

"Promise you'll spend twith us."

"Don't forget that!"

Each voice joined the chorus, firm yet affectionate.

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Freya smiled faintly, recognizing their concern. "I promise."

With that assurance, they finally let her be. Knowing she was safe was enough for

now.

Freya offered to walk them out, but they waved her off.

After they left, Ellis remained-tall, broad-shouldered, and watching her with quiet intensity. He had a thousand

thoughts, but they all condensed into a few simple words. "Go srest. It's all over now."

Freya gave a small nod. "You should get ssleep too."

"I will," Ellis replied, his voice low.

Freya turned, opened her door, and stepped inside. Just before closing it, she glanced back at him one last t-

then shut it gently.

Brendan was in custody. Peace, one would think, should follow.

And yet, since parting ways with Kristian, uncase had taken root in her chest-

quiet but relentless, growing by the hour.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, she sighed, bone-tired, her mind already circling around Kristian and Lawrence.

As she moved deeper into the apartment, something felt off.

Had someone been here?

She 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 with one tap.

In an instant, her hshone like midday.

She didn't move deeper in. Instead, she sat calmly on the couch and spoke into the open air. "Will you cout

on your own, or shall | call security to drag you out?"

"Don't be so harsh." A voice floated out from the bedroom. It was Natasha. "I was only hiding to surprise you."

Freya froze for a beat.

Natasha?

She stared, taken aback. "Why are you here?"

"Didn't you askto get Ashley back to Alerith safely?" Natasha plopped down opposite her. “I dropped her off

and figured you might be returning, so | cto wait."

Freya eyed her with suspicion.

When Natasha had left with Ashley, Freya and Kristian were still in a precarious situation. How could Natasha

have known she would make it back?

"Don't look atlike that," Natasha sighed. "When | left with Ashley, | saw someone rounding up Brendan men.

That's why | stayed. | had a feeling you'd return."

Freya's tone was soft, but edged. "And if | hadn't cback?"

At that final, desperate moment-without Kristian's intervention-she might not

have.

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Natasha didn't flinch. "No way you wouldn't cback. You're my invincible mentor, remember?

Freya said nothing

She got up, filled two glasses with water, and handed one to Natasha before sitting down with hers.

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

Freya arched a brow. "Spit it out."

"Have you given any thought to... you know, the baby?" Natasha scratched her head, hesitant. Ever since

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

the baby, what if he tries to take it from you?"

Freya blinked. "What baby?"

Natasha pointed-casually, as 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. "So... do you want to keep

it?"

"I'm not pregnant," Freya said flatly. With Brendan out of the picture, she no longer needed the ruse.

"No way!" Natasha protested, eyes wide. "Ashley toldherself-and | even checked!"

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

"What you found out was exactly what | wanted you to find," Freya replied, a lesson laced in every word. "As

for Ashley-after Brendan sent her to kill Kristian, she began working with me." Natasha stared at her, utterly

stunned.

Everything she'd believed suddenly turned on its head. "But Brendan always said Ashley was the least likely to

betray him..."

That was why he flew into such a rage when he discovered her phone system had been fortified by K. He

couldn't stomach her betrayal.

"He was wrong." Freya said coolly. "Ashley was the most likely. But without the

strength to fight back and under constant threat, she stayed put.”

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"What happened between them?" Natasha asked, curiosity piqued.

She didn't usually poke around in Brendan's private affairs. Unless assigned, she

kept her nose out.

Freya didn't elaborate. "I don't know."

"That doesn't make sense. Knowing Brendan, if he realized Ashley turned on him,

he wouldn't have let her walk free." Natasha's eyes widened with realization. "When you askedto take

Ashley away, didn't that raise

a red flag?"

"He couldn't see it," Freya said.

"Why not?"

Freya didn't answer.

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Snapisi AUG Romey Was The Least Lively To Betray itim

To Brendan, Freya was still K, operating under Ellis's orders

And in their line of work, duty reigned above all else—obedience, protection, and protocol Sagicon had no place

when the rules were clear.

"Thanks for helping with Ashley," Freya added, still mentally wading through thoughts of Kristian and Lawrence.

"Given that you didn't cross any major lines- and even saved someone in the end-1 won't turn you in. But next

tyou go rogue, don't expect mercy,"

"How can you be so cruel to me?"

Freya didn't answer,

"I'm still your apprentice, aren't 1?"

Silence again.

"I'm clearly attractive-don't | even get a second glance?" Natasha kept prattling

Anyone who knew her would be stunned to see this side of her.

Freya stood and walked toward her study. But just before diving into her work, she

turned and said, "Beauty,

Natasha, can be a dangerous thing."

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