She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Walls, Wheels, and Wounds 68

Chapter 68 Slap Kristian

Twice

Freya's words sliced through the tension, sharp and resolute. "I don't accept it,” she declared, her voice laced

with a finality that brooked no argument.

Beside her, Liam stood firm, his voice echoing her determination. "Nor do I," he stated, his tone just as

unwavering.

Across the room, Ashley's eyes brimmed with tears, her gaze locked on Kristian, pleading silently for his support.

Yet, Kristian's expression remained impassive, a sharp contrast to the indulgence he had previously shown her.

Had Trent been at Freya's side today, perhaps Kristian might have harbored sdoubt, swillingness to

entertain Ashley's lies.

Trent's presence always got under his skin. But today, without Trent, the truth seemed clearer.

Desperate, Ashley's voice trembled as she addressed the room, seeking any foothold in the slipping sands of

Kristian's favor. "What will it take for you to accept?" she implored, her eyes scanning their faces for a sign of

relenting. "Tell me, and I'll do it."

Freya met her gaze, her eyes steely. "If you truly wish for forgiveness," she began, her voice cold. "Then keep

your distance from Kristian. Vanish from his life, and never cross his path again. Do this, and perhaps | might

forgive you."

Stunned, Ashley bit her lip, the sharp pain grounding her swirling thoughts. "But..."

Freya wasn't finished. Her challenge hung in the air, heavy and ominous. "Why? Can't you do it?" she scoffed

disdainfully. "Or perhaps, if that's too much, prove your sincerity. Slap Kristian-twice. Maybe then, I'll believe your

regret."

Under the weight of Freya's words, Ashley clenched her fists beneath the blankets, her nails digging into her

palms. A deep-seated hatred for Freya simmered within her, threatening to boil over.

Yet, with a tremble in her voice, she persisted, "Ms. Briggs, | must admit, this mess is my doing. Kristian

shouldn't be blamed..."

Freya's response was swift, her tone icy. "I know," she said, eyes glinting with cunning. "And I'm asking you to

slap him-not to punish him, but to serve as a sharp reminder that he should be more cautious about the people

he surrounds himself with."

Kristian remained a silent, brooding figure in the backdrop.

Liam arched an eyebrow, intrigued by the unfolding . 0.0%

Ashley, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, bit her bottom lip, the picture of someone wronged and

sorrowful

The sharp crack of her own slap echoed as her hand struck her face, leaving angry red marks on her pale skin.

It was a desperate, theatrical gesture meant to garner Kristian's forgiveness and shift his displeasure towards

Freya.

"What are you doing?" Kristian's voice was sharp, his eyes narrowing in confusion and concern.

Choking back a sob, Ashley responded, her voice laden with self-reproach, "I acted on impulse, selfishly so. |

can't bear to slap you, nor can | bear the thought of leaving your side. All | can offer is my deepest apologies and

do whatever it takes to earn Ms. Briggs's forgiveness."

If she were keenly aware of Liam's significance to Kristian, she would have tactfully kept him out of the fray.

Nevertheless, she believed Freya was out of her league.

"That's enough." Kristian finally spoke, his voice tinged with exasperation. "Let's put an end to this."

"That's hardly enough," Liam chimed in, his tone casual yet cutting, "If someone can make false accusations and

then escape with minimal consequences-merely shedding a few tears, admitting their mistake, and staging a

self-punishment-are we not setting a precedent that mistakes can be simply cried away?"

"And what do you want?" Kristian's stare was penetrating, a clear warning flashing in his eyes as he faced Liam,

signaling him to tread carefully.

Restraint was never Liam's strong suit; he always pushed limits.

With a mischievous gleam in his eye, he insisted, "Why not make her kneel down for a while as punishment?"

He grinned, adding, "Just for half a day, to let off ssteam."

Ashley's heart pounded furiously in her chest as she looked up. Could Kristian actually consider such a

suggestion?

"Liam!" Kristian's voice carried a stern warning.

"Con, your bias is showing," Liam noted, throwing a casual arm over his shoulder. "Tell me, if your wife had

falsely accused Miss Bradley, would you let her off the hook so easily?"

Kristian's jaw set firmly. He didn't need a moment to ponder; he knew the answer was a resounding no.

Meanwhile, Freya, having grown bored with the unfolding , decided it no longer warranted her attention.

As long as Kristian didn't wrong her directly, she was content to remain uninvolved.

She turned to Liam, her expression indifferent. "I'm leaving."

"I'll give you a ride," Liam offered quickly.

"No, thanks," Freya declined curtly.

With a dismissive flick of her hair, she strode past Kristian and Ashley, treating them as worthless pests.

Kristian's heart constricted, his thoughts a swirling chaos, yet his feet moved of their own accord, trailing behind

Freya.

27.1%

Chapter 68 Slap Kristian Twice

Standing by the doorway, he turned to Liam, his tone firm. "Keep an eye on Ashley. | won't be long."

Liam offered no reply.

By the tKristian caught up to Freya, they had already made it outside the building.

"Freya!" he called out, seizing her arm, his voice a tense whisper.

She halted, facing him with a serene expression. "What is it?" she demandéd. "I'm sorry about today," Kristian

stammered, the cold air biting at him, an uncomfortable shiver running down his spine. "Ashley doesn't normally

act like that. She might be dealing with past traumas that led to her outburst today." "Are you apologizing on her

behalf? Who are you to her now?" Freya's voice was steady, her gaze piercing.

Kristian faltered, words failing him as they lodged in his throat.

Freya wasn't about to waste her breath on him. "Leavealone, Kristian." Her tone was laced with frustration.

She felt slighted, and rather than seeking the truth, Kristian had blindly sided with Ashley.

And now, instead of holding Ashley accountable, here he was, offering excuses for her. Liam had seen it clearly.

Kristian's heart harbored a bias, always tilting in Ashley's favor. "Freya," he began again, desperation edging into

his voice.

"| said leavealone," she snapped, her patience worn thin. "Please, just hearout," pleaded Kristian,

unaccustomed to the iciness in her demeanor.

Their eyes locked-hers clear and unyielding. Her silence was loud and clear, a silent message that Kristian felt

deeply.

"Where was your calm and rationality when | really needed you to hearout?” She pressed, her voice laced

with a steely resolve.

In that moment, a sharp pang of anguish gripped his heart, as if a heavy stone were pressing relentlessly against

his chest.

Attempting to shift the heavy air between them, he pulled out his car keys. "Let