All Chapters of SHATTERED AND TEMPTED: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

FREYAI went to Luna’s room and crawled into her little bed, careful not to wake her. She was curled under her blanket with her pink teddy bear, breathing softly and evenly.I sat there in the dark, staring at her sleeping face, wondering if she had any idea about her father and the woman she cared about so much. Did she sense it somehow? Or was she just blissfully innocent? I pressed my face into the pillow beside her, trying to hold back the tears, trying to stay quiet so she wouldn’t wake, but my heart wouldn’t stop racing.I can boldly say this is one of the most messed up nights I have ever had in my entire life. I used to think the night I lost my father was the worst. Or those nights I would go extra with new lingerie, feeling ready, feeling horny, hoping my husband would finally touch me… only for him to give me a quick kiss and whisper that “work had been stressful.” I thought those moments hurt, but this is worse. This is horrible in a different kind of way.I lay beside Lun

FREYAI sat on the floor for…. I don’t even know how long. The only difference between me and someone unconscious was that I still knew I was sitting. I was aware of my body touching the tiles, but nothing else. My eyes were open, but they weren’t seeing anything. It felt like someone stuffed cotton inside my ears. Everything around me was muted and far away, like I was trapped underwater.I didn’t even hear footsteps. I only felt a hand on my shoulder, and I jolted so hard the breath caught in my throat.When I looked up, it was Rebecca. Luna’s nanny.She had that look. The one people give when they already know something went wrong, but they are scared to ask.“Are you okay?” she asked quietly.“I’m fine,” I said, even though my voice didn’t sound like mine. I pushed myself up from the floor. My legs were stiff, like they forgot how to be legs.Rebecca stretched my phone toward me. “It has been ringing for a long time. That is why I came to get it for you.”“Thank you.”I took it f

STEVE POVThe text hits at 2:29pm.“What happens if I come tonight?”I stare at it until the screen dims. Tap it back on. Still there. Ten seconds after I sent “Door locks at 8:15. Don’t be late.” My thumb is still hovering like she might text back.I lean back in my office chair. Leather creaks under my weight. The gym's quiet this time—only the low hum of the AC and the occasional clang from someone setting up downstairs. But still my pulse is still louder than both.She sent it at 2:29.Middle of the fucking afternoon.It means she’s been sitting with my card all day.Probably turning it over in her hand, wondering if I’m crazy or just a salesmanFuck.I shift in the chair. When my head flashes back to her face. I walk up to that house this morning and hand the flyer to the woman at the door—Rebecca, the nanny or maid, whatever she is.But the instant she takes it, she glances at the house, then mutters under her breath, low but clear enough:“Right timing. Just when the boss com

Freya POV I looked up at his face. His Storm-gray eyes locked on mine, intense, unblinking, like he was memorizing every millimeter of my face. And for the second time, it’s just like my pain personally offended him.And in that instant something inside me cracked open.Just this once, I thought. I want to feel like a woman again. Desired. Seen. Commit a sin and pray not to regret it.After all, after tonight I would file for divorce. I would pack Luna’s things and mine, leave this city, run my business remotely, and leave the house that still smelled like Mark, leave the woman who had quietly taken my place in my daughter’s stories and my damn husband’s bed. I will go for a clean break. A new start somewhere the neighbors didn’t know my shame.And right now, just one reckless night with the man who looked at me like I was worth ruining for… it didn’t feel like betrayal anymore. It felt like survival.I lifted my chin, met his gaze, and let another tear fall on purpose.“Yes,” I whi

FREYA’S POV“Freya…” Mark called out.I stopped halfway up the stairs, but I didn't give him the satisfaction of looking back. I squeezed my fists until my nails dug into my palms, trying to keep my breathing steady. I took another step, ready to walk away and end this, but then he screamed.“FREYA!”The volume of his shout made me jump. I quickly looked up, staring at the thin line of light under Luna’s bedroom door at the top of the landing. If this shit woke her up, I was going to lose it. She shouldn't have to hear her father sounding like a monster.I slowly turned to face him. He looked pathetic standing in the middle of the living room, but his ego was as loud as his voice.“Divorce,” he muttered. He rubbed a hand over his face, pacing like a caged animal. Then his face did that thing—that twitch—where shock curdled into a nasty sneer in a split second. A dry, jagged laugh broke out of him."Divorce? Are you serious right now? Over one fight?" He shook his head, looking at me l