As Jasper vanished down the corridor, the tears Freya had been fighting finally broke free.
She forced herself up, winding as she grabbed a broom and mop to tackle the mess of shattered ceramic and coffee.
A few sympathetic coworkers came to help, their eyes full of pity.
“I dearly heard ber sey with ice, no sugar. How’s she flipping this on you? Did you tick her off somehow?” one whispered.
“Like she needs a reason?” another muttered. “Everyone knows she’s a total princess. Throws a fit over nothing. Half our dirde can’t stand her, but with Jasper in her pocket, nobody dares say boo.”
“Man, I’ve never seen him this crazy about anyone. Freya, just watch your back. We’re regular folks–we can’t compete with trust fund babies. With Jasper backing her play, we just have to eat whatever crap they serve us.”
Treya appreciated their support, but their words left her emotionally tangled.
Once, when a dient tried blaming her for their own mistake on a contract, Jasper had stood rock–solid behind her. He’d believed in her completely, fighting until her name was cleared.
But now? Mia drops one casual lie, and he doesn’t even fact–check or let her explain. He just assumes she’s at fault.
After years of dedication, handling countless fires for him–didn’t she deserve that basic trust?
Or in his world, did right and wrong not matter as long as Mia was happy?
The thought left her heart feeling like raw hamburger.
It took forever to clean everything before dragging her battered body home.
She had barely stepped out of the shower when her phone lit up with Jasper’s name.
“Bring over some Advil and heating pads.”
She threw everything together ASAP and headed to his penthouse.
In just days, the once sleek space had transformed completely. The cherry tree his grandfather planted–gone, replaced by tulips. The black and white furniture he’d always preferred–swapped for pink and yellow pieces he used to mock. Display cases now showcased jewelry, designer bags, and gifts…
Pure Mia, through and through.
Freya took it all in silently before knocking on the bedroom door.
Jasper opened it, grabbed the stuff, and finally glanced at her face.
With the coffee cleaned off, her injuries looked brutal, making him pause.
8.799
Chapter 3
“Jesus. Have you had that checked out?”
Freya just shook her head.
He rubbed his temple, his tone softening slightly.
“Look, Mia was just feeling like garbage. She wasn’t gunning for you specifically, so don’t take it personally, I’ll add what I docked from your pay to your Christmas bonus. Get those wounds looked at–if they’re bad, take a few sick days. I’ll sign off on it, no red tape.”
“That won’t be necessary. At the end of this month-”
Freya tried telling him about her resignation, but he cut her off, shoving a card into her hand.
“Just do what I’m telling you. I need you to put together a welcome–back thing for Mia, so rest up and heal.”
The words died in Freya’s throat.
She nodded, took the card, and turned to leave.
As the door swung shut, she caught Mia’s voice.
“Babe, is that tea ready? Can you come rub my stomach?”
“Coming right now. Just lie still and don’t move, okay?”
Hearing his tender tone, Freya smiled bitterly.
Her own cramps were brutal too–she’d actually passed out at work multiple times and been rushed to the ER.
When he found out? Just a signed time–off form. No visits, no tea, no heating pads.
Back then, she’d told herself he was swamped with work.
Now she got it–he just didn’t give a damn.
After leaving, Freya hit up urgent care for basic treatment.
She crashed at home for a few days before getting bombarded with party specs from his assistant.
Everything from floral arrangements to dessert selections to server uniforms came with ridiculous requirements.
With just three days to pull it off, Freya pushed through her exhaustion to make it happen.
After running herself ragged, the party kicked off at 7 PM sharp.
Mia floated in wearing some couture masterpiece, immediately becoming the room’s center of gravity.
Guests swarmed her with compliments, feeding her ego.
“It’s been ages, but you’re still that same knockout, Mia. Even a ‘casual‘ welcome–back party looks like the Met
Won’t Land
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Chapter 3
Gala–clearly Jasper’s still completely whipped!”
“Remember college when some poor schmuck asked Mia out? Jasper literally got the guy transferred! He shredded love letters on sight, and when people talked smack about Mia, he put those dudes in the hospital!”
“Everyone knows Mia’s his kryptonite–the one he can’t resist! Look at that ice she’s wearing–gotta be worth a couple million! And that dress is one–of–a–kind. Jasper’s always been ‘price is no object‘ when it comes to keeping
Mia happy!”
