She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 145

Chapter 145 A Deal

"First, figure out who was behind those incidents," Freya began, ticking the challenges off one by one. "Second,

beatin marksmanship."

Kristian didn't find either of those demands particularly daunting. "And the third?"

"I haven't decided on that yet," Freya replied, her eyes settling on him with quiet calculation. “Once you've

handled the first two, I'll let you know. But letbe perfectly clear-if you don't outdoin every one of them,

don't ever botheragain."

"Deal," Kristian said without missing a beat.

Freya felt a quiet wave of relief wash over her. For the first tin days, she could finally enjoy a sliver of peace.

She glanced at her watch. It was already past ten. "Can you open the door now so | can go home?" she asked,

pronouncing each word with care.

"You're staying here tonight," Kristian said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll handle the second task

first thing tomorrow morning."

He turned, grabbed a bag, and handed it over. "Here's something to change into."

Freya was at a loss for words. She wanted to refuse, but after a moment's hesitation, she figured it wasn't worth

the fight.

She took the bag from him and walked to the room he'd indicated. Once inside, she locked the door, shrugged

off her coat onto the bed, and picked up the pajamas before stepping into the bathroom.

Kristian heard the soft click of the lock. For a moment, he couldn't decide whether to admire her caution or feel

disheartened by how wary she still was around him.

Meanwhile, Freya stood under the shower, letting the water run over her.

Her mind drifted back to the conversation with Kristian earlier. Thoughts began to coalesce. She hadn't originally

intended to investigate those incidents-they were petty and tedious.

But when she considered them through the mastermind's eyes, she realized she couldn't simply turn a blind

eye.

Kristian's sudden reappearance in Alerith, followed by his repeated run-ins with her, was bound to catch the

attention of the person pulling strings from the shadows. It was only a matter of tbefore she was dragged

into trouble again It was a headache she hadn't asked for.

Elsewhere, in a dimly lit basement across the sea, a woman lay sprawled on the cold concrete floor. Her hair was

a mess, her face bruised and streaked with angry red welts.

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Her eyes were shut, and her body was restrained by iron chains-around her neck, wrists, and ankles.

All around her, lifeless snakes lay scattered like discarded threats.

Footsteps rang out, echoing through the basement.

The sound made the woman in white flinch uncontrollably. It was a reflex born of relentless torment-a deep,

primal fear triggered by that sound.

A man stepped into view, dressed in a sharp suit, his very presence radiating menace.

His pale skin gave him a sickly, almost unnatural look.

"Wake her up," he ordered, flicking ash off his cigarette with practiced ease.

His eyes moved to the corner where Ashley lay in chains.

One of his men immediately splashed a bucket of ice-cold water in Ashley's face.

The freezing jolt yanked her back to consciousness. She gasped, jerking upright as the icy water soaked through

her clothes, sending shivers down her spine.

The man took a long drag from his cigarette, then flicked it to the ground and crushed it beneath his heel. He

stepped closer, his face as striking as Kristian's, yet carrying a completely different air-cold, venomous, and

calculating

"Have you made up your mind?" he asked, crouching before her. He lifted a hand and lightly tapped her cheek.

Ashley flinched hard, her whole body quaking with dread.

It wasn't just his words-it was the unshakable terror he inspired.

"All you have to do is take Kristian's life," he said, his voice slow and deliberate. "Do that, and I'll let the past

stay buried. I'll even shower you with wealth- everything you've ever craved."

Ashley only wanted him dead!

Her fists clenched at her sides. Every inch of her body throbbed with pain-a constant reminder of the hell she'd

been through since falling back into his grasp.

She had failed before, and because she'd begged him to spare her family, he'd found new ways to make her

suffer every day.

More than once, she'd wanted to end it all. But she couldn't do it. Why should she die while he went on living?

The man seemed to savor the fury and madness in her gaze. His smile curled wider. "You wantdead?" he

asked, as though reading her mind.

Ashley's pupils shrank in panic. A chill surged down her spine, freezing her where she sat.

"You'll never make that happen," he said, his large hand cupping her wet, trembling face.

His touch was warm, but to Ashley, it felt like poison.

"You really think just because your grandma and brother are under protection, you can defy me?" His thumb

brushed across her cheek as he spoke, voice low and dangerous.

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Ashley didn't say a word, but her chest tightened with fear.

"They might be under guard,” he continued, drawing out the words, "but if | want them gone, no one can stop

1. me. Got it?"

"Why me?" Ashley's voice was ragged, her eyes bloodshot from exhaustion and despair.

"Because you were Kristian's first love," he said, lifting her chin. He didn't are about the hatred burning in her

eyes. "If you go near him, he won't question it. He'd never believe someone as weak and pitiful as you could kill

him."

Freya would be the better choice, Ashley thought bitterly. But she couldn't say that aloud. Not after everything

she had done to Freya.

Even after all that, Freya had stepped in to help her. She couldn't drag her into this nightmare.

"That's not true," Ashley said, holding back tears. "After what happened last time, he doesn't trustanymore."

"Just do as you're told," the man snapped, his tone sharp and dismissive.

Ashley bit down on her lip, her entire body racked with pain. She looked up at him and said, "Murder is still a

crin our country."

"Once it's done, I'll have you brought back here," he said, his voice smooth and convincing. “No charges. No

prison. You'll live in peace."

Ashley didn't buy a word of it.

Murder wasn't something you could just erase.

And besides, she didn't have it in her.

Last time, she'd been forced to approach Kristian and try to tear his marriage

apart. That alone had wrecked her conscience.

But she'd done it to protect her family. She hadn't had a choice.

This twas different. It felt like she was sacrificing someone else's life to save

her own family's. If she did it, her family would never forgive her-and neither would she.

"Well?" the man asked, lifting an eyebrow when she stayed silent.

Ashley's voice cout steady, even though her body trembled. "I won't do it."

"Is that right?" He didn't sound mad-just amused. "Then maybe I'll pay your brother and grandmother a visit.

| wonder how they'll feel, knowing you played the mistress and tore another family apart."

"Don't you dare!" Ashley hissed.

"Up to you,” the man said, straightening to his full height.

As he walked away, he added over his shoulder, "Three days. That's all you get.

Obey, or stick to your

conscience."

And with that, he left her there-shackled, shattered, and once again swallowed by

the suffocating shadows of

that basement.

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