15

Freya’s face crumpled at Grace’s sharp declaration.

The older woman’s voice had cut through the dining room like a whip, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Silence blanketed the table for a long moment, broken only by the faint clink of silverware as servants hesitated in the doorway with the next course.

“Grandmother, you’re being cruel,” Richard said, his voice tight with frustration. “Freya is not a mistress. She’s my girlfriend, and she’s here because I chose her. It's time you all realise Kendra and I are done, we're divorced and her chapter is closed.”

Grace lifted her chin, her pearl necklace gleaming under the warm lights. “Closed for you, perhaps. But blood and loyalty run deeper than papers signed by lawyers.”

“Kendra was more than a wife to this family. She was the glue that held your ambitions together without demanding the spotlight. And you...” she turned her piercing gaze fully on Freya, “...you watched it all from the shadows, smiling in her face while stabbing her in the back.”

Richard opened his mouth to say something but she raised her hand to shut him up.

“I'm disappointed in you and your actions Richard. I expected more than this from you! And to me a snitch remains a snitch, no matter how pretty the dress or sweet the words are.”

Freya’s lower lip trembled, but she forced a composed smile, dabbing at the corners of her eyes with her napkin.

“Mrs. Grace, I respect your feelings. I truly do.”

“You don't respect her feelings, I really thought everything my brother claimed to own belongs to him but Kendra gave him all and you as a friend, still had the audacity to betray a woman who gave it all to a man and never asked for anything but to be loved!” Sofia shook her head, she doesn't like Kendra neither does she support her brother's actions.

“Sofia, Kendra was my friend, and I have never wanted to hurt her. But love doesn’t follow rules. Richard and I...we connected on a level that was missing in his marriage. He needed someone who put him first, who celebrated his wins without turning them into negotiations.”

Evelyn, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. “Connected. That’s a polite way to describe sneaking around while my son was still legally bound. Tell me, Freya, did the guilt ever keep you up at night? Or was the thrill of stolen moments enough to silence it?”

Freya swallowed hard, her fingers twisting the stem of her wine glass. “I felt terrible, Mrs. Thompson. I did. There were nights I cried, knowing I was betraying someone I cared about. But Richard was drowning in expectations, in Kendra’s expectations. She wanted perfection, control and I gave him freedom and the real support he needed.”

Richard nodded emphatically, his jaw set. “It’s true. Kendra was always so… contained. Even when I tried to open up, she had her walls. Freya sees me. She fights for me.”

Sofia let out a soft, incredulous laugh from her seat, “Fights for you? By destroying her best friend’s life? That’s not support, brother. That’s opportunism. And now you parade her here like some trophy while the whole city gossips about your divorce. The video of Kendra slapping you is still trending, you know. How do you think that looks for the family name?”

“Mind your own damn business, Sofia,” Richard shot back, his eyes flashing. “You’ve never had a real relationship in your life. What would you know about love anyway?”

Victor cleared his throat loudly, “Enough mother, please let's talk about real matters.”

“This is also real, you can’t permit your son to marry her, what does she have to offer?” Grace eyed Freya. “Nothing but pure betrayal, I can assure you.”

“Mother, what is done is done, I think you should just forget it and let's move forward. What has Kendra offered other than connections and her father's company?”

“Evelyn, do you even want to talk?” Grace said she never expected her to suddenly change tone.

Richard held Freya’s hand tightly, he knows she's just keeping her anger.

“Kendra gave your son support, the support this family needed, and if you want to talk about grandchild, let me remind you that your son told her he never wanted a grandchild!” Grace muttered.