Sophie tried calling Hudson over and over again but it all went to voicemail. She sent him messages but no reply.

Her frustration boiled over. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Freya—her sister—had no right to take what was hers! Hudson was hers, her fiancé, the one she had claimed for herself.

In a fit of desperation, Sophie stormed out of the house and drove straight to Lane Construction company.

“I need to see Hudson Lane! Now!” she barked at the receptionist. “It’s urgent!”

The young woman looked uneasy. “I’m sorry, Ms. Sophie, but Mr. Lane isn’t seeing anyone right now.”

“I don’t care! I will see him. He’s my fiancé!” Sophie snapped, her voice rising. “I won’t leave until I see him!”

The receptionist pressed a button under her desk. “Security, please escort Ms. Sophie out.”

Sophie’s face turned red with fury. “You can’t—he has to see me! I—”

Two security guards stepped forward, gently but firmly taking her by the arms. “Please, Ms. Sophie, you have to leave.”

Sophie struggled, but it was no use. She was escorted out of the building, her heels clacking angrily as she stomped back to her car. Her chest heaved with rage.

This isn’t over, she seethed. Nothing’s over until I get what’s mine.

Back at the John residence, Sophie called a family meeting, storming into the living room with Freya calmly seated on the sofa, her posture composed, hands folded neatly.

“I want them divorced!” Sophie barked, pointing at Freya. “Hudson and Freya! They need to get divorced immediately!”

Freya’s voice was calm, almost chilling in its steadiness. “No. I’m not going to get divorced. I’m already married to Hudson. That’s final.”

Sophie’s hands shook with rage. “You—you can’t do this! You promised! You can’t—he’s mine!”

Freya met her gaze evenly. “He was mine in the first place, I only took back what you owe me”.

“Owe you?” Sophie scoffed

“Yes…Owe me” She unfolded her arms and placed them on her thighs “ An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth…Chad for Hudson”

Sophie screamed in disbelief “ Mom…Dad??”

“That's enough Sophie” their father said “ You knew you were engaged to Hudson but you still went ahead to start a relationship with another man…worse still your sister's. Imagine if the Lane family had found out…it would have said badly of us”

Sophie sobbed, she looked at their mom expecting her help but Mrs John shook her head, she wasn't in support of what Sophie had done.

“I also won’t be giving up my shares or the CEO position. If you want them, you’ll have to earn them.” Freya voiced.

Sophie’s face twisted in disbelief. “Earn them? What do you mean ‘earn them’? You gave everything to me before! I can’t believe you’re doing this. How dare you go against me?”

Their mother, seated on the sofa, gasped softly. “Freya…are you okay? You seem so different from your usual self”

“I’ve changed mom,” Freya said simply, her tone unwavering. “I won’t give away what belongs to me. Not my shares, not my position, and certainly not Hudson. If Sophie wants any of it, she’ll have to work for it herself.”

Sophie’s voice rose, cracking with desperation and fury. “This isn’t fair! You can’t go back on your word! You promised me those shares! You promised!”

Her father’s expression was tight, frustrated but calm. “Sophie… there’s nothing we can do. Freya has every right to her position, and Hudson… there’s nothing we can do about him either.”

Sophie whirled toward him, rage and panic colliding in her expression. “Nothing you can do? Do you even hear yourselves?! This isn’t how it’s supposed to happen! Freya! I—”

Freya rose, walking towards Sophie. Sophie stepped back instinctively.

“It's all my fault little sis” Freya said tucking Sophie's black hair behind her ears, just as Sophie had done before she pushed her off the roof . “I spoilt you too much and you ended up like this…but you don't have to worry” she leaned in closer and whispered in Sophie's ear “ I am going to correct that”. Then Freya walked up the stairs and to her room.

Sophie stood in that spot for a moment, her chest heaving, eyes wild with anger and disbelief. She looked to their parents, searching for support, but their expressions were unreadable,quiet, resigned, and a little fearful of the new Freya.

“This isn’t over,” Sophie hissed, her voice trembling. “It’s not over.”

Freya smiled from up the stairs, Sophie's world would crash and burn to the ground

Freya folded the last blouse into her suitcase and zipped it shut. Her movements were calm, almost too calm, the room silent except for the soft sound of her breath.

It’s right that I leave, she thought. I’m his wife now. And if I stay here with Sophie… I might end up doing something I can’t take back.

She lifted her bags, turned toward the door—

And it swung open.

Sophie walked in first, eyes widening when she saw the luggage. Chad followed behind her, wearing his usual smug expression.

“Freya?” Sophie blinked. “What are you doing? What’s all this?”

Freya didn’t bother hiding it. “I’m moving out.”

Chad let out a sharp laugh. “Of course you are. Running away after stealing your sister’s fiancé, hmm?”

Freya didn’t answer.

Sophie stepped forward, voice trembling with fake concern. “Freya… you can’t be serious. That picture you posted—was that actually real? You married Hudson?” Her voice cracked in disbelief. “Tell me it’s a joke. Please.”

Freya stared at her blankly. “It’s not a joke. I married him.”

Sophie staggered back a step. “No… no, that’s not possible. Hudson is mine. He’s my fiancé—”

“You took Chad,” Freya said flatly. “So I assumed you didn’t want Hudson anymore. It was only right that someone married him in your place.”

Chad barked a laugh. “Listen to her. Acting innocent. You married him because you’re jealous. Because Sophie chose me instead of you. Pathetic.”

Freya tilted her head. “Jealous? Of what?”

“You know what I mean,” Chad said, stepping closer with that same arrogant smirk. “You couldn’t handle Sophie being better than you, so you ran to her fiancé like the cheap slut you are.”

Sophie slapped his arm lightly. “Chad! Don’t say that—”

“What?” Chad snapped. “It’s the truth.”

Freya’s eyes sharpened. “If anyone is a slut, it would be Sophie.”

Sophie’s head snapped up. “Freya!”

Freya continued calmly, “I was only following in her footsteps.”

A stunned silence.

Sophie’s mouth fell open. “How dare you talk to me like that?! I’m your older sister!”

“Then act like one,” Freya replied without blinking.

Chad scoffed. “Look at you. Acting bold because you married into money? You think Hudson actually wants you? You think he won’t throw you out when he gets bored? Don’t fool yourself. You’re nothing, Freya. Absolutely nothing.”

Freya didn’t flinch. Not once.

Sophie grabbed Chad’s arm but kept her eyes on her sister. “Freya… why are you even leaving? Where are you going?”

“To my husband’s house,” Freya said simply.

Sophie’s voice trembled. “So what, you’re really doing this? You’re really leaving me for him?”

Freya lifted her bag. “You left me first.”

That hit Sophie harder than any insult.

Sophie’s eyes filled with anger. “How could you do this to me? How could you take him?!”

“You didn’t want him,” Freya said. “You chose Chad.”

Sophie pointed a shaking finger at her. “That doesn’t matter! Hudson is mine! He was mine! You had no right—”

Chad interrupted, smirking. “Relax, Sophie. Let her go. She’s embarrassing herself.”

Freya walked toward the doorway.

Sophie moved in front of her. “No! You’re not walking out of here without explaining yourself properly! You owe me that!”

Freya stared at her. “I don’t owe you anything.”

And she pushed Sophie gently aside.

Sophie gasped as Freya brushed past her.

Chad snapped, “Watch where you’re going!”

Freya didn’t turn around.

Sophie shouted after her, voice breaking, “Freya! Freya! You can’t do this! You can’t just take everything from me!”

Freya paused at the door… just for a heartbeat.

Then she walked out.

Sophie froze, breath shaking, eyes filling with rage that seemed to burn her skin.

“Chad…” she whispered. “She—she can’t get away with this. She can’t.”

Chad wrapped an arm around her shoulders with a smirk. “Calm down, baby. Let the loser leave. Hudson won’t keep her long. He’ll realize what she is.”

Sophie shoved him away hard. “Shut up!”

Chad stumbled back. “What is your problem?!”

“You think this is funny?!” Sophie screamed. “You think I’m just going to let her walk away with everything?! Hudson, the position, the shares—everything? Chad, she took everything from me!”

Chad raised his hands mockingly. “Oh, so now it’s my problem too?”

“It is your problem!” Sophie snapped. “You pushed her. You insulted her. You made it worse!”

Chad scoffed. “I didn’t marry Hudson. She did. Blame her.”

Sophie’s face twisted with fury. “I will. I’ll blame her. And I’ll make her regret every second of it.”

“Oh? What are you gonna do?” Chad crossed his arms. “Cry until she gives him back?”

Sophie glared at him with pure hatred. “No. I’m going to destroy her. Completely.”

Chad swallowed. That tone wasn’t dramatic—

it was dangerous." You don't n

Sophie stormed out, breathing hard.

You will pay for this, Freya, she thought viciously.

I won’t let you live peacefully. Not after taking him from me. Not after taking everything.

Chad watched her go, shaking his head with amusement. “Crazy family,” he muttered.

Meanwhile, Freya’s steps were steady as she left the building.

She didn’t look back.

She didn’t have to.

The war had already begun.

The gates of Hudson Lane’s mansion opened without a sound.

Freya’s car drove in slowly, stopping in front of the grand entrance. Staff lined up almost immediately.

“Welcome home, Mrs. Lane,” one of the maids said respectfully.

Freya paused for a second at the title. Then she stepped out.

“Thank you,” she replied calmly.

The mansion was exactly what she expected—huge, polished, expensive. Marble floors, tall columns, fountains glistening under the sun. Everything screamed power.

And then she saw him.

Hudson Lane.

He stood at the entrance like he owned the world—which he practically did. Tailored suit. Hands in his pockets. Dark hair neatly combed back. That faint, knowing smile on his lips.

Like he’d been waiting.

“Freya,” he said smoothly. “You’re finally here.”

“Hudson.”

She kept her voice neutral.

His eyes scanned her slowly, not in a disrespectful way—just observant. Assessing.

“You look better than you did this morning,” he said lightly. “Marriage suits you.”

Freya ignored that. “I just want to settle in. Show me to my room.”

He raised a brow. “Your room?”

“Yes.”

“No,” he said simply. “You’ll be staying with me.”

Freya’s fingers tightened slightly around her bag. “That wasn’t part of—”

“It was,” he cut in smoothly. “You just didn’t think it through.”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Three wishes, remember?”

Her jaw tightened. “I remember.”

“This is the first.”

She stared at him. Calm outside. Irritated inside.

“You move fast,” she said coldly.

He smiled faintly. “I don’t like wasting time.”

There was a brief silence between them.

“Fine,” she said at last. “I’ll stay.”

His eyes warmed with amusement. “That wasn’t so hard.”

He reached for her waist casually—not possessive, just confident—and guided her inside.

Freya didn’t resist. But she didn’t soften either.

The mansion interior was even more overwhelming. Crystal chandeliers. Rare artwork. Polished floors that reflected every step.

Hudson walked beside her like he was giving a private tour.

“You’re very quiet,” he commented. “Most women would be impressed.”

“I’m not most women.”

“I noticed.”

They stopped in front of a large double door.

Freya looked at it. “Guest room?”

He opened it.

“No. Our room.”

She stepped inside—and paused.

It was massive. A king-sized bed. A private lounge area. A balcony overlooking the gardens. Everything carefully designed.

She turned to him. “This is unnecessary.”

“Marriage usually is,” he replied casually.

She crossed her arms. “We’re married on paper. Don’t mistake this for anything else.”

Hudson leaned lightly against the wall, studying her.

“You’re very defensive.”

“I’m being clear.”

“I like clarity,” he said. “But don’t worry. I’m not forcing you into anything.”

His gaze lowered slightly, teasing. “Unless you forget our deal.”

Freya’s eyes hardened.

“I won’t.”

He walked closer, slow and deliberate. Not touching her. Just close enough to make his presence known.

“You’re colder than I expected,” he said quietly. “Most women would at least pretend to be nervous.”

“I don’t pretend.”

“That’s what makes this interesting.”

She met his gaze without blinking. “Don’t misunderstand. I’m here because of an agreement. Nothing more.”

He smiled again—wider this time.

“You keep saying that like you’re trying to convince yourself.”

Freya didn’t react.

Hudson stepped past her, opening the walk-in closet. “Left side is yours. I had clothes prepared in case you came unprepared.”

She stiffened slightly. “You’re very confident I would come.”

“I knew you would.”

“And if I didn’t?”

He looked over his shoulder. “You’re not the type to run.”

For the first time, something flickered in her eyes.

He noticed.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” he added softly.

Freya turned away instead of answering. “I’ll follow the rules of the deal. But don’t test my patience.”

Hudson chuckled under his breath.

“There it is.”

“What?”

“That fire.”

She faced him again. “Don’t mistake composure for weakness.”

“Oh, I won’t.” His voice lowered slightly. “I married you because you’re not weak.”

The room went quiet for a moment.

Freya looked away first.

“Is that all?” she asked coolly.

“For now,” he said. Then, after a pause: “Try not to look so miserable. You live in a mansion now.”

“I didn’t marry you for comfort.”

“I know.”

His expression shifted just slightly—less teasing, more calculating.

“You married me for war.”

She didn’t deny it.

He walked toward the door.

“Unpack,” he said casually. “Dinner is at eight. Sit beside me.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“It is,” he replied calmly. “If we’re playing this game, we play it properly.”

She exhaled quietly. “Fine.”

He smirked.

“And Freya?”

She looked at him.

“You can be cold to everyone else.”

His gaze sharpened slightly.

“But don’t be surprised if I enjoy melting that ice.”

She didn’t respond.

Didn’t blush.

Didn’t flinch.

“Goodnight, Hudson.”

He laughed softly.

“I didn’t say I was leaving for the night.”

Her expression didn’t change. “Then don’t linger.”

That made him smile wider.

Now this, he thought, is going to be interesting.

He finally stepped out.

Freya closed the door and stood still for a moment.

Her new home.

Her new battlefield.

Hudson Lane wasn’t simple.

But neither was she.

And she had not come here to lose.