?Chapter 683:


    She had so much bottled inside her, aching to be spoken aloud, but at that moment, the words simply wouldn’te.


    Isaac and Melinda were genuinely kind people. If she were to bring them such grim news, wouldn’t that be too cruel?


    “What’s wrong?” Isaac’s voice filtered through again, steady and gentle. “Could I meet with you?”


    Her voice trembled with hesitation. “This isn’t something I can exin over the phone.”


    Isaac was a perceptive man. The tone of her voice, the phrasing—he pieced it together quickly. “Did something happen to Kristian?”


    At those words, a knot rose in Freya’s throat.


    She couldn’t even understand why that one sentence hit her so hard.


    Struggling to keep herposure, she managed a faint, “Yes.”


    “Where are you?”


    “In Jeucwell.”


    “Send me the address. I’lle over.”


    “Okay.”


    Once the call ended, Freya sent him the address.


    Isaac lingered in the backyard for a moment, then turned and went back inside. In the kitchen, he sliced up a te of fruit with methodical precision and carried it out with his usual quiet grace.


    Lionel remained unimpressed, grumbling, “Get out of here. Don’t get in our way.”


    “I’ve got something to take care of. I’m heading out,” Isaac said, picking up a piece of fruit and offering it to Melinda. “Coming with me? Or would you rather stay and watch TV with Dad?”


    “Just go ahead,” Melinda replied, unbothered as always by his ns. Isaac paid Lionel no mind. As was his habit, he gave Melinda a light kiss on the cheek and headed out.


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    She epted it withoutment, her eyes glued to the television drama.


    Lionel shot Isaac a disdainful nce, then turned his attention back to the screen.


    Neither of them noticed anything out of the ordinary.


    Isaac walked to the garage, got into his car, and drove himself to the address Freya had sent.


    They had arranged to meet at a quiet café.


    Freya arrived first. She stared at the item in her hand, heart pounding.


    Though her face remainedposed, her insides were in knots.


    After twenty minutes, Isaac arrived.


    He entered wearing a sleek ck overcoat, his short hair and tall frame exudingposed authority.


    The moment he stepped in, his eyesnded on Freya, seated quietly in a corner. She looked the same as ever, only a little more worn around the edges.


    Seeing her like that, Isaac had a sinking feeling that things were worse than he’d feared.


    When Freya looked up, she saw Isaac walking toward her.


    She rose, meaning to greet him, but the words caught in her throat.


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