LOGINCHAPTER TWO
Freya’s POV I rolled on the bed and moaned out in satisfaction of the comfy bed but it was interrupted with me landing on a huge back. I opened my eyes widely, my eyes scanning my environment and who was beside me. I stood up almost immediately, suddenly getting alert of whatever might be happening. I stared at the huge perfect body in front of me and a loud scream wanted to escape from my lips but I quickly used my hand to cover my mouth in fear. What happened yesterday? My mind drifted back to the scenario of yesterday and with no doubt, it was obvious I was the one who initiated all of this. I was drunk and a wreck of emotions. Shit! Rushing into the bathroom and getting dressed into my clothes, I packed my bags as I adjusted my hair without checking the mirror. It would be shameless right now for him to wake up and meet me here then tag me as a slut. What was I even thinking? I shouldn't have done this. Perhaps I should have headed home straight. As I got out of the hotel, I hopped on a cab, notwithstanding the eyes that peered at me like I was some ghost or beast in the day. My hand slowly massaged the business card that was plastered in my hand. Perhaps it's good to have his business card. A loud beep on my phone made me jolt back to the reality that my mom would have been worried sick about me since I called yesterday to inform her of a shocking news. Perhaps it might not have come out as shock to her when it comes to Bryan getting married to another woman but more shocking that my best friend is the woman he's getting married to. All of these didn't just make sense to me. It didn't. I just need someone to talk to and clear out my mind. The cab highlighted and I paid the cab man before getting out and facing the reality that I had to move on without the people I called from my companion. “Freya!" I heard my mom concerned tone as I got into the living room. She rushed into me, giving me a hearty hug. “I have been worried sick since yesternight. I called many times that I can't even count but you didn't pick. I am happy you're here.” She blurted out, her eyes holding a lot of emotions that I couldn't fathom. “I….I ..I didn't know you called yesternight.” I tried to bring out words but it seems like they weren't making any sense. I sighed and decided to heed to the sitting room but my mother dragged me back with a calm face. “She is here.” She said and I gaze up at her in confusion. “Who? Who is here?” I asked, making her give an uncontrollable sigh. “Rachelle is here, Freya, but I want you to take things easy as your favorite cake. Don't rush words, even though it might seem harder than reality.” She comforted and o nodded in response before making my way into the room. Even though I gave a reassuring smile that I had things all sorted out, it wasn't even up to my face. I can see the dangerous smirk I had on like I would murder someone very soon. “Freya” I heard my friend scream as I brought out a pretentious smile. “Elle, why are you here so early, you didn't tell me about your arrival.” I retorted and she gave me a surprise stare. “No, no, no. Don't tell me you actually forgot.” She said unbelievably and I rolled my eyes at her expression, trying to wave out the thought of my best friend being a backstabber. It shouldn't just have come from her at all. “Spill, Rachelle and stop making this a big deal. You forget things and so do I.” I replied nonchalantly but she ended up yelling. “But this isn't like a usual thing to forget, you told me to meet you this morning at your house and then we can go shopping for your night date with Bryan. Why are you such a joykill? Hun.” She blurted out and I Sighed. To think she even expected me to carry on with this date thing, when she was already married to Bryan, was something I couldn't fathom. How cruel was she? Because this wasn't the Elle I know, one year or two years ago. I stared at her fingers and I realized the ring wasn't on her hand. Of course, why would she bring it here? It was another topic to discuss entirely. “Oh, I just had a lot of things on my mind that I forgot. The new job I took in. They get the best out of me.” I explained, a wide smile across my face. “When you get married to Bryan, I am sure he won't want his wife to be a workaholic who works just to earn a living. Let's get you shopping then your date with Bryan is going to be fired.” She said with a little giggle and I smirked. At some point, I felt like strangling her to death. I just wanted her dead. But my mom's words kept ringing in my head. “I am not going, Rachelle. I am better off not on a date or dress than to still get cash from you. It is a crazy stunt.” She stared at me in awe for a while before rolling her eyes. “Freya, this is what I don't like about the Freya part of you. You get to change plans all day.” She rolled her eyes in anger and a smile appeared on my face. Can I really get along with the plan? Their plan? I just wanted to question them, which wasn't possible now. I headed up to my room and cleaned up myself, getting ready for the shopping.Chapter 60 — Freya’s POVWounds and WhispersI woke up cold.Not freezing.Not shivering.Just… cold in that hollow, internal way that sleep sometimes leaves behind when rest never really comes.For a moment I didn’t move. My cheek was pressed against the couch cushion, my neck stiff, my limbs heavy like they belonged to someone else. The room was dim with early morning light, pale gold slipping through the curtains and stretching across the floor in thin lines.My journal was still tucked loosely against my chest.I blinked slowly, staring at nothing.Then I felt it.That familiar sensation.Being watched.I lifted my gaze.Brandon stood near the doorway.He must’ve been there for a while, because he didn’t react when I looked up. He was just… watching me. Quiet. Still. Careful.Too careful.“Morning,” he said softly.His voice sounded like it was afraid to be loud.I pushed myself upright. “Morning.”He rolled closer, slow and deliberate, like he didn’t want the wheels of his chair
Chapter 59 — Brandon’s POVThe Wrong TargetsThe first thing I heard was running.Not casual footsteps. Not servants moving through halls.Running.Urgent. Uneven. Alarmed.I was halfway down the corridor before I even realized I’d stood up. My leg protested sharply, pain flaring like lightning through bone and nerve, but I barely felt it. Pain had become background noise lately — constant, dull, ignorable.The voices ahead sharpened.“…guest room—”“…wake him—”“…don’t tell—”My chest tightened.Not fear.Instinct.Something was wrong.And whenever something went wrong in this house lately, it always circled back to one person.Freya.I rounded the corner just as one of the junior staff nearly collided with me.“S-sir!”“What happened?” My voice came out calm. Too calm.The kind of calm that made people nervous.He swallowed. “Mr. Bryan, sir. He was found with a lady in the upstairs guest room where we laid him to rest .”Every muscle in my shoulders went rigid.“With who?” I asked.
Chapter 58 — Freya’s POVPoisoned IntentionsI woke up tired.Not the kind of tired sleep fixes.Not the kind coffee touches.Not the kind a quiet morning cures.This was the kind of tired that lived in your bones.The kind silence creates.I lay there for a long time staring at the ceiling, listening to the soft hush of the curtains shifting in the breeze. My body was awake, but my thoughts lagged behind, heavy and tangled like they didn’t want to face the day.Because facing the day meant facing everything.Brandon’s careful kindness.Miya’s watchful presence.Rachelle’s smile that never reached her eyes.Secrets no one would name.Truths no one would say.It all pressed down on me at once.I felt like I was drowning in things no one else could see.When I finally turned my head, Brandon was already awake beside me, propped up against the headboard. He looked like he’d been watching me for a while.“Morning,” he said softly.I nodded. “Morning.”He studied my face.Concern. Always c
Chapter 57 — Brandon’s POVThe Quiet Before the StormI knew she was gone before I opened my eyes.You learn the rhythm of someone you love.The sound of their breathing.The warmth they leave behind.The weight of their presence even when they aren’t touching you.And when it’s missing…you feel it instantly. I could feel it all over me. I miss Freya. My eyes opened slowly.The room was dim, washed in pale morning light. The blankets beside me were undisturbed, cold. The chair where she’d been sleeping lately sat empty.My chest tightened.Again.I stared at the ceiling for a long moment, listening.Nothing.No soft footsteps.No kettle whistle.No quiet humming like she used to do when she thought I was asleep.Just silence.I pushed myself upright, ignoring the dull protest in my leg, and reached for the wheelchair beside the bed. The metal felt cold beneath my palms as I eased into it, moving carefully so I wouldn’t make noise.Not because I wanted to sneak up on her.Because I
Chapter 56 — Freya’s POVTangled in ShadowsThe house no longer feels like home to me. It looks familiar—same walls, same staircase, and those soft curtains that used to glow warmly in the evening light. But something inside it has changed, or maybe something inside me has. Brandon’s dinner still lingers in the air—warm spices, melted butter, the faint sweetness of candles he lit. The table was set just right, plates half-eaten, glasses barely touched—everything about it felt perfect. Careful. Thoughtful. Gentle. And that’s where the difficulty lies. It feels like he’s really trying, but trying too hard—like when someone apologizes without saying sorry. I stood at the kitchen counter, looking at the sink, my hands resting on the edge, my reflection faint in the dark window above. Behind me, I could hear Brandon shifting slightly in the living room. Even that sound feels different now—measured, controlled—like he’s afraid of disturbing something fragile, maybe even me. A f
Chapter 55 — Brandon’s POVSlipping Through My FingersYou might not notice when someone starts drifting away from you at first. At the beginning, it’s just small things—things that seem insignificant or easy to explain. It’s natural to want to justify them. I saw the changes in Freya gradually. She smiled less, but not obviously—still when people spoke to her or when she handed me water, yet the sparkle in her eyes was fading. Once I saw it, I couldn’t unseen it. It hit me on the third morning after our talk about Miya. Freya was sitting by the window, sunlight shining on her, making her look almost unreal—like a painting come to life. She was reading on her phone, looking so calm, too calm. When I reached for her hand, she gave it without hesitation, but she didn’t intertwine her fingers with mine like she always did. My heart clenched. I told myself I was imagining it, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t.The Quiet ChangesFreya stopped reaching out without thinking, and that







