Sunshine Hospital
The moment Freya saw Soren standing at the door, her heart skipped a beat—and not the good kind. Her breath stilled in her lungs. Why was he here?
She hadn't planned for this. She didn't want her mother meeting Soren—not now, not like this. Especially when the truth about their relationship was still tangled in silence and shadows. Louisa glanced curiously at the man entering the room, then turned her gaze to Freya, puzzled.
Before Freya could think of an excuse, Soren stepped forward and lowered his head respectfully.
"Ma'am," he greeted with surprising softness.
Louisa blinked. "And who are you? A friend of Freya's?"
Freya felt her throat tighten. Her pulse began to race. But before she could say a word, Soren turned slightly toward her, locking eyes with a slow, dark intensity that made her shiver. Then, without a flicker of hesitation, he looked back at Louisa and said with a smile, "I'm Soren Kingsley… Freya's husband."
Louisa's face paled, her eyes swinging back to Freya in disbelief. "Is this true?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Freya… you got married? Without telling me? You hid this from me?"
Freya stood frozen. Her mind spun. This wasn't how she wanted her mother to find out. Not now. Not like this.
But Soren, of course, didn't wait for her to explain.
"She wanted to surprise you," he said smoothly, his tone warm but calculated. "We've been dating for over a year, and she wanted to wait until after your surgery to share the news. We didn't want to stress you."
Freya stared at him, stunned. The lie slipped from his lips like honey, smooth and unshakable. She couldn't believe how easily he said it, how confidently he wore that mask.
Louisa placed a trembling hand on her chest. "Freya… is that true?"
Freya looked into her mother's eyes—eyes filled with hope, relief, and love. And in that moment, she couldn't shatter her mother's fragile peace. Not after the surgery. Not when any shock might unravel her recovery.
So Freya did the only thing she could do.
She smiled weakly and nodded.
Louisa's face lit up, a quiet happiness easing her tension. "I was always so worried about what would happen to you after I'm gone… But now… I know you're not alone."
After a few moments of light conversation, Louisa drifted into a restful slumber. Freya stepped out of the room with Soren, her body rigid with fury.
The second they were alone, she turned to him, eyes blazing.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she hissed. "Why did you come? Why did you tell her that lie? You had no right!"
Soren didn't flinch.
Before she could continue, he pushed her gently against the corridor wall, not roughly—but firmly enough to steal her breath. His hand rose to her lips, silencing her with a single finger. Her eyes widened in shock, her chest rising and falling with quick, shallow breaths.
His voice dropped, low and cool. "Sweetheart, how many times do I have to tell you? One question at a time."
She struggled under his intense stare, but he leaned closer, his breath brushing her neck.
"And as for why I came—your question is already flawed. You're my wife. That makes your mother my mother-in-law. Am I not allowed to visit her?"
Freya felt her body stiffen. Her heartbeat thundered as he whispered near her ear, "And your scent… I missed it more than I should admit. Being close to you again… I couldn't help myself."
A chill danced down her spine. Her skin prickled with goosebumps, a helpless response to his nearness. But her eyes were filled with something else—fear.
And he saw it.
Just as she began to breathe again, a nurse appeared and called her name. "Miss Freya, the doctor would like to speak with you."
It was all the escape she needed.
She shoved Soren back and hurried down the hall without looking behind. He watched her retreat, his eyes shadowed with something far darker than longing.
---
Bankwood Mansion
In the marbled halls of the Bankwood estate, Richard Bankwood was a storm barely contained. His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw rigid with fury. Helena sat across from him, stiff and quiet—but inside, her own anger simmered.
He snapped, "Do you even realize what you've done? I spent years building this. Years! And you ruined it by throwing her out without my permission!"
Helena narrowed her eyes. "Oh please, don't act like you ever cared for her. You hate her as much as I do. And besides, her refusal ruined our marriage deal."
He exhaled heavily, his anger simmering but no longer screaming.
"That marriage plan was secondary. I didn't keep Freya under this roof all these years out of sentiment. I did it because she holds 10% shares in the company."
Helena went still. "What?"
Richard nodded slowly. "You heard me. Ten percent. Given to her by my father, Henry Bankwood, when she was a child. I only discovered it recently while reviewing old shareholder files."
Helena's lips parted in disbelief. "You're telling me that illegitimate brat has more power in this family than Amelia?"
Richard's eyes darkened. "Exactly. Which is why I tolerated her this long—until I could get her to sign those shares over to me."
He slumped into the leather sofa, a rare moment of defeat in his posture.
"We need those shares. My CEO position depends on it. Shareholders are already starting to sell.
Helena straightened. "Then make her sign. She's still scared of you, isn't she? She won't say no."
Richard gave a slow, calculated nod. "You're right. She won't."
---
Sunshine Hospital – Outside
Soren waited in his car, his gaze fixed on the hospital entrance. He was still burning from the image of Freya pushing him away.
But she had no idea—no clue just how deep his obsession had grown.
Across the street, Freya stepped out of the hospital building after speaking to the doctors and checking on her mother one last time. Just as she was about to head toward the car, she bumped into someone.
"Oh—I'm so sorry," she said, taking a step back.
"No way… Freya?"
She paused, turning toward the man who had spoken her name. He was tall, striking, dressed in a sleek navy-blue suit. His warm smile softened the sharp angles of his face.
"Rex?" Freya whispered, her eyes widening.
He grinned and nodded. "It's been forever."
Without hesitation, Freya threw her arms around him. Rex returned the hug easily, laughing against her shoulder.
"God, how many years has it been?" she asked, pulling back. "You just vanished. No calls. No messages."
"Family business," he replied with a shrug. "Things got busy. My father's been unwell, so I brought him here today. But what about you? Why are you here?"
Freya explained everything briefly—about her mother, the surgery, the stress. They stood in the fading sun, reconnecting over scattered memories and childhood laughter.
But they weren't alone.
Across the road, leaning against his sleek black car, Soren stood watching.
He saw her laugh.
He saw her wrap her arms around another man.
He saw the ease in her smile.
His eyes burned red with fury, his hand tightening around his phone until his knuckles went white. The device creaked under the pressure, veins popping in his wrist.
Because Freya was his.
And no one touched what belonged to Soren Kingsley