Chapter 20:
Though initially frustrated, Kristian’s gaze landed on Freya, whose presence clearly brought joy to his family. A subtle, warm feeling stirred within him, a sense of contentment he hadn’t recognized before.
In the early days of their marriage, his grandpa could barely hide his indifference toward Freya. His parents, while courteous, hadn’t been particularly warm towards her either.
In the circles of wealthy families where social standing was paramount, such reservations were typical. Yet, since Kristian and Freya had already sealed their bond through marriage, the family maintained a veneer of civility, carefully masking any overt disapproval.
Over time, as more interactions wove the fabric of their relationships, Lionel gradually warmed up to Freya. He often called Kristian, inquiring if Freya might be free to join him for afternoon tea or a casual outing.
With Kristian buried in his work at the company, he encouraged direct communication between them. Though he remained largely in the dark about the specifics of their conversations, it was clear their rapport had blossomed significantly.
Winning over Lionel was no trivial feat; his approval could not be swayed by simple flattery or adept social maneuvering.
Throughout the course of the dinner, Freya’s charm and wit brought a lightness to the atmosphere, making the meal an enjoyable affair.
She was keenly aware, however, that certain pressing issues lingered on the horizon, topics too delicate to broach amidst the shared meal and unspoken tension.
As the meal drew to a close, Melinda, with a poised and sophisticated air, turned to Kristian. “Kristian, head to the kitchen and slice up some fruit for Freya—don’t delegate it, do it yourself.”
𝓒𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴 𝓬𝓸𝓹𝓲𝓮𝓼 𝗵𝓮𝗿𝗲: gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⩶𝗰𝗈𝗺
Kristian shot Freya a sideways glance, his voice barely more than a whisper. “Okay.”
The moment he was gone, Lionel and Melinda shifted their focus towards Freya.
Isaac Shaw, Kristian’s father, subtly perked up his ears, his eyes still seemingly buried in the folds of his newspaper.
“Freya, be honest with me,” Melinda began, her tone gentle yet laden with unspoken implications. “Is there a particular reason you two haven’t started a family yet?”
Caught off guard, Freya faltered, her words trapped in her throat.
Seizing the moment of her hesitation, Melinda pressed further, her voice laced with concern, “Is it possible that Kristian is facing some health issues?”
“No,” Freya answered, her voice barely above a whisper, confusion and discomfort swirling in her expression.
“You don’t have to cover for him,” Lionel interjected, his sharp suit adding to his authoritative demeanor that combined kindness with a solid, unyielding presence. “No children after all these years does suggest that perhaps Kristian is the one with issues.”
Freya found herself rendered speechless.
Kristian walked back in with the fruit, only to freeze mid-step, at a complete loss for words.
Isaac, without lowering his newspaper, raised an eyebrow and fixed Kristian with a piercing, meaningful gaze. “Kristian, are you impotent?”
.
.
.