Chapter 25

AIDEN

“How did you get hurt?” the Elt doctor asked, feeling along her spine. Despite knowing it was to check for internal injuries, I disliked another man touching her like that. I was probably unhinged to feel jealous over a checkup, but that’s exactly how messed up I was whenever Freya was concerned.

It wasn't hard to imagine how much worse it would be if I saw her hurt. I wanted to tear that bastard limb from limb and feed him to the stray dogs.

My eyes moved to Gia, who sat beside her mother, looking ready to burst into tears. Her small, scared appearance punched me in the gut. It made me want to find that bastard in the middle of the night and deliver his punishment personally.

I forced a deep breath to control my impulses and avoid storming out. Those plans weren't off, just postponed…

…quite understand her reason for shielding Noah. I—

“I fell,” Freya muttered, stealing a glance at me from the corner of her eye. Even though I didn’t quite understand, I preferred it that way.

Handing him over to the police would be an easy way out for him. I would be the one dispensing punishment. When I was done with him, he would wish we had never crossed paths.

“You fell?” The doctor stared at Freya with a calculating stare. He exchanged a look with the nurse before focusing back on Freya. I could sense how this looked from their perspective.

“You can talk to me privately, if you want.” He trailed off, waiting for her decision. He insinuated I hit her and offered her privacy to ask for help. The nurse standing beside him shot me a nasty glare. I raised an eyebrow at her, not amused in the least.

“Oh, no! It’s not what you’re thinking. He didn’t abuse me or anything,” Freya rushed to explain, which wasn’t very helpful. She still sounded guilty. The doctor still looked suspicious as he reluctantly nodded.

“Okay. Well, would you mind taking your coat off?”

“Sure.” The moment she took her coat off, angry red bruises on both wrists and her right upper arm glared back at me. I clenched my jaw, a fresh surge of fury washing over me.

“You do know that you don’t have to be afraid, right? I can help you,” he said, staring at her with utmost seriousness, like he was some sort of hero who would rescue her from my “abusive” hands. In any other circumstance, I would have appreciated his concern, but his accusation wasn't helpful.

“I wouldn’t hit her, for God’s sake!” I gritted out. I have never hit a woman in my life, and I wasn’t planning on starting anytime soon.

“That’s what every abusive partner says,” he retorted without sparing a glance. I clenched my jaw, annoyed by his assumptions and even more irritated that we were discussing this in front of my daughter, who already looked afraid.

Freya cleared her throat. “Dr. Garcia, I appreciate your concern,” Her eyes met mine before returning to the doctor’s. “Actually, you’re right. I didn’t just fall. But it’s not him.”

Both the nurse and the doctor looked stunned. They were probably not used to victims confessing without extensive probing. It was the fact that their assumptions were wrong, even though I doubted they believed her completely.

They nodded reluctantly. “Well, whoever it is, you should file a complaint.”

“I will.” Liar. Freya would do no such thing. I could smell that lie from a mile away. The doctor nodded, letting it go.

“Does it hurt anywhere else?”

“No.” If that didn’t sound relieving, I don’t know what did.

“You seem fine except for a small concussion. Just get plenty of rest. And use the painkillers if you need them.”

Freya pulled her coat back on and stood up.

“Thank you, doctor.” She smiled politely. I picked Gia up; she readily snuggled into me. She was seeking comfort, and I was glad she trusted me enough to find it with me.

FREYA

Chapter 25

Gia had fallen asleep sometime during the ride. She was sleeping on me, snoring softly. My poor baby was exhausted from the day’s events. She had experienced something no child should ever have to, and my heart felt heavier with every passing second.

The ride back to Aiden’s house was eerily quiet. We were both lost in thought. It had become our pattern. Every time I glanced at him tonight, his eyes were fixed on the road. I knew he was aware of my gaze; it seemed deliberate, almost as if he couldn’t bear to look at me. This sudden repulsion confused me.

The ding of the elevator broke my thoughts. I stepped inside. His penthouse looked the same as last time; nothing had changed. Aiden carried a sleeping Gia to a room, and I followed. I wasn’t aware of the surprise to come.

The room was in shades of pink, with a swing in one corner, a climbing wall, and a ball pit in another. There was a colorful workstation and a small lounge area. It definitely didn’t match the taste of an adult. Aiden had designed the room for Gia. My breath hitched at the realization.

He had been preparing for Gia’s visits.