All Chapters of Betrayed: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

1 week later Freya has finally recovered from her illness and is now eagerly selecting gifts for the children in the hospital. Both my brothers and my parents each sent her a get-well-soon gift, which means she has to bring toys to the sick children in the pediatric ward of the hospital. When we arrive at the hospital, we are greeted by the staff as always and push the cart of toys down the halls onto the elevator to the pediatrics floor. “Good afternoon, Ms. Russo and Freya,” the head nurse says with a smile. Nurse Gladys is a lovely woman with tight spiral curls of brown hair and brown eyes who has been a nurse for over thirty years. “I was wondering when we’d be seeing the two of you this month.” “Freya was ill recently, so we needed to wait until the doctor cleared her to come around other kids,” I quickly explained. “I’m glad you are feeling better, Freya. Look at all those toys you brought today,” Gladys cooed. “W

I wake up to Freya’s screams calling for me. I jump out of bed and race across the hall to the room she’s in. “I’m here,” I tell her as I wrap her in my arms. Her cries became muffled instantly. “You fell asleep in the car, and Anton brought you up to this room. Take a look around; he made it special for you.” She lifts her head and looks around the room. “Are we going to live here now?” “For a little bit until I can find a new house,” I answer honestly. “You’ll be safe and well cared for here. That’s what matters most to me in this entire world.” “Mommy, why did Daddy say I was wasting money by giving gifts to the other kids?” “I’m not sure. I think it’s possible your Daddy forgets how much money I make and that I have strict rules for all my bank accounts. I’m looking into things, baby, but remember you did nothing wrong. You didn’t lie, and you were spreading cheer with money your uncles gave you specifically fo

Thursday began as the other days have this week since Lincoln crushed my daughter's heart: breakfast, then our morning routine. The day proceeded with an update from my lawyer telling me that because Lincoln and I signed a no-contest form in our prenup, the judge has signed off on our divorce, and I will have the papers delivered to my office tomorrow. Hudson is being the always overprotective brother and uncle who sends unnecessary items to Anton’s house, which are just piling up in a spare room, not being used or touched. My daughter and I don’t need material things; she needs a father who actually loves her and will always put her first. My own parents keep calling and offering different houses they will buy for us, but they are too far away from Freya’s school and my company. Gideon is the only one out of my family who simply calls and texts to check in. He knows my firm standing on not over-spoiling Freya, and he respects it. Being my little brother, he is a bit scared of

Two weeks later Lincoln has tried to reach out three times since his birthday, and Freya only sent him a message last night reminding him about her art show. She has declared that if he doesn’t speak to her at the art show, then she’s going to tell him that she no longer wants him as her daddy. She says this is his last chance to be her daddy. Anton’s right; she’s entitled to feel the way she does. As long as we are not telling her to do it, there’s nothing wrong with her making that choice. “Alright, I’m prepared to be amazed, Princess,” Gideon states, rubbing his hands together in the front seat of the car as we pull into the parking lot at the school. “Which one do you think is your best piece?” He always looks like a little kid when he’s entertaining Freya. His brown eyes take on a playful glint. “I’m not telling. You have to guess, Uncle Gideon,” Freya said with a laugh. She picked out her most colorful dress to wear and aske

Valerie I exit the court, with an easy win. Lincoln didn’t even bother showing up, and the judge was disgusted with his disregard for her time. She reviewed all my evidence and granted me full custody without prejudice. I climb back into the car and turn on my phone as the driver begins to drive towards my office. When my phone begins to sound with notifications, my heart jumps in my throat. The last message to come in is from Anton: ‘Freya got hurt at school. Come to the hospital.’ “Take me to the hospital,” I order my driver. Thankfully he was at a turn and could easily change directions. I put my phone on silent not wanting to deal with anything else until I’m sure my daughter is safe. I call Anton as soon as we arrive at the hospital and he tells me they moved Freya to the pediatric ward and are waiting for test results. I enter her room, and my knees buckle when I see her hook to monitors, with her chin covered in a bandage.