Chapter 179:
The clock had already swept past eleven-thirty at night.
Exhaustion overtook Freya, and she succumbed to sleep in the passenger seat. Despite their strained relations, she harbored a deep-seated trust in his ability to ensure her safety.
She was a creature of habit, usually retiring by 10 PM, and even on late nights, she never pushed past 11. The unusual hour, combined with the day’s tensions and not having prepared for bed, was simply too much for her.
“Freya…” Kristian’s voice broke the silence as he tried to initiate a conversation.
After a few attempts, he realized she was deep in slumber.
Slowing the car, he glanced at his sleeping wife. The sight softened his troubled heart, and a wave of tenderness washed over him.
For a fleeting moment, he wondered if perhaps this uneasy peace was enough.
Eventually, the car rolled into an apartment complex around one in the morning.
Kristian intended to gently wake her and escort her upstairs. He whispered her name softly, but she remained enveloped in sleep. Resolving to take care of her, he parked the car and, with careful arms, lifted her and carried her up to her apartment, holding her close all the while.
If it were any other day, Freya would have stirred awake by now. Instead, she remained in a deep slumber, her body surrendering to complete exhaustion. At the door, Kristian pressed Freya’s limp finger against the lock, granting them access.
He carried her up to the second floor. Unfamiliar with the layout, he methodically opened doors until the second room revealed Freya’s personal belongings scattered about.
With gentle movements, he removed her shoes and eased her onto the bed. Just as his fingers reached for her collar to help her change, her eyes snapped open. Her hand darted out, gripping his wrist with surprising strength.
𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖈𝖐𝖊𝖉 𝖘𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖈𝖊: ⳑ𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗍𝖊𝗅𝘀․𝗰𝗈𝗺
“It’s me,” Kristian murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Recognition flickered in her eyes before they fluttered closed again, her consciousness slipping back into the realm of dreams.
Kristian’s brow furrowed as he observed this reaction. Had something in her past conditioned her to this defensive awakening?
Her response seemed less like normal waking and more like an instinctive safety check—a survival mechanism that needed confirmation of security before allowing her to drift back into vulnerability.
After changing Freya into her nightclothes, Kristian settled beside the bed, watching her peaceful form.
The realization struck him that despite their connection, he knew precious little about her history or the experiences that had shaped her.
His phone vibrated against his leg, interrupting his thoughts.
The screen displayed a message from Gerard, “Are you free now?”
Kristian tucked the blanket around Freya’s shoulders before slipping out with his phone, careful not to disturb her rest. He descended to the living room, flicked on the lights, and initiated a call.
Gerard perked up instantly at the connection. His employer was still awake.
“Good evening, Mr. Shaw,” he said promptly, a hint of nervousness coloring his tone.
“What is it?” Kristian’s voice remained measured, betraying no emotion.
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.
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