Chapter 156:
At the sound of her voice, Kristian turned to her, feeling stung by her cold attitude.
He approached with measured steps, his penetrating gaze fixed upon her. “If you promise to cease targeting Ashley, you won’t need to apologize this time.”
He couldn’t explain his sudden leniency. He simply couldn’t bear the thought of those pure eyes filling with tears.
Freya stared in bewilderment, momentarily speechless. She genuinely suspected Kristian might be experiencing some mental illness. His emotional fluctuations were unpredictable, changing faster than the weather in spring.
“What’s happening with you?” she questioned.
“This isn’t a joke,” Kristian responded, his tone maintaining its characteristic coldness despite his heart experiencing unusual emotional turmoil. “Throughout our marriage, everything was fine before Ashley’s return. I never anticipated such dramatic changes in you.”
Freya countered sharply, “You’re the one who’s transformed.”
“Freya.” Kristian’s voice deepened with disapproval. How could she display such ingratitude?
“Don’t you realize that since Ashley returned, you’ve abandoned your basic judgment?” Freya genuinely admired his handsome features, and for their sake, she reminded him, “Previously, you maintained a clear mind and analyzed situations thoroughly. Now you make decisions purely on emotional grounds.”
Kristian’s gaze intensified, his expression growing increasingly frigid. He replied casually, “When only A, B, and C are present and C dies, isn’t it natural for A to suspect B?”
“What if D was the real killer?” Freya challenged, recognizing his implication. “B knows their innocence, yet they don’t suspect A either.” These straightforward words created an impasse between them.
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Freya continued earnestly, “These past twenty days have exhausted me, and I have no desire to continue arguing about Ashley. Whether you accept it or not, I didn’t commit those acts.” Conflict avoidance formed part of her nature.
Being repeatedly thrust into confrontational situations, doubted, and interrogated would deplete anyone’s resilience.
Witnessing her sincere expression, Kristian wanted to trust her.
Yet remembering her behavioral shifts after his mention of divorce prevented him from trusting her fully. He struggled to distinguish between her honest statements and potential deceptions.
Despite two years of marriage, he remained unaware of her acquaintance with Trent, her connections to the Briggs family, or her concealed expertise in hacking. She had withheld so much; how could trust flourish?
“If you had remained your former self, I would believe you,” he stated gravely. “However, throughout our two-year marriage, have you ever demonstrated complete honesty with me?”
Freya fell silent momentarily.
Meeting his gaze directly, she asked, “Are you questioning my feelings for you?”
“Should I not?” Kristian’s genuine emotion prevented calm reasoning when confronting her deceptions. “Beyond the name Freya Briggs, does anything authentic about you exist?”
“Get out.” Freya realized for the umpteenth time that Kristian had lost his rational faculties.
No matter how calmly or logically she attempted to communicate, he invariably managed to infuriate her. How had she previously failed to recognize this frustrating potential within him?
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