Chapter 159:
Freya returned the greeting with a brief nod.
Though her interactions with Liam had been sparse, meeting only a handful of times through the years, his presence was memorable. Much like Kristian, Liam possessed a distinctly striking allure. The dinner that evening progressed with an air of restraint, the usual chatter dampened by unspoken tensions.
Liam made a few light-hearted attempts to lift the spirits at the table, but Lionel’s usual warmth and smiles were conspicuously absent.
As the meal came to a close, Lionel set his fork down with a definitive clink and turned to Freya, his eyes a complex tapestry of emotions, his voice raspy with strain. “Freya… are you truly set on divorcing Kristian?”
“Yes…” Freya spoke, but the rest of her words lingered unspoken.
“I can’t bear the thought of losing you,” Lionel admitted, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ll be dearly missed.”
“You can still visit, or call me, anytime you need,” Freya offered, her tone soothing.
Lionel leaned forward, his desperation clear. “But can you reconsider the divorce with Kristian?” His voice grew heavier, laden with a sorrow that seemed to age him in the moment. “If you stay, I promise Kristian will treat you right, and I’ll make sure Ashley is out of the picture.”
“Grandpa!” Kristian cut in, his displeasure evident.
“Shut up!” Lionel shot back sharply, his patience frayed.
In his view, Kristian was a worthless fool, who couldn’t even protect his own marriage.
“Lionel, forcing us won’t patch up what’s already torn apart,” Freya replied, her resolve firm. “I don’t love him anymore. A divorce is the healthiest choice for both of us.”
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“She’s right,” Liam chimed in, his eyes briefly meeting Kristian’s as he spoke. “Grandpa, making her stay where her heart doesn’t belong will only wound her deeper.”
Lionel’s expression hardened as he glared at Liam, irritation flickering in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Kristian’s gaze turned icy, a heavy, unspoken pressure emanating from him as he stared at Liam, clearly displeased by the interference.
“Why don’t you join me for a while, Freya?” Liam insisted, offering her a knowing glance that silently promised an escape. “I have some friends I think you should meet. Even after the divorce, it’s important you keep building your career.”
“Sure,” Freya agreed, her voice carrying a note of relief, eager to step away from the tension.
Kristian’s jaw clenched at her response. She agreed? His mind raced with suspicions. Was she even aware of the kind of people Liam was eagerly setting her up with?
“Grandpa, I’m going to take Freya out for a while,” Liam declared, giving Lionel a conspiratorial wink. “You and Kristian can have some time to yourselves.”
Lionel nodded, his expression solemn. “Alright.”
Kristian’s throat tightened, words eluding him as he struggled to respond.
His brow furrowed subtly, a shadow of concern crossing his features.
Something about this evening was unsettling. Considering Lionel’s protective nature, it was peculiar for him to simply stand by and watch Liam whisk Freya away, particularly at such a crucial moment—their impending divorce looming like a storm cloud.
“Feel bothered?” Lionel’s voice cut through the tension, unexpectedly gentle.
.
.
.