?Chapter 1196:

    Freya hesitated.

    Saying yes might mean Ellis showing up at her door in a few days, dragging her back to the base for more training. But saying no would mean dealing with a walking, breathing third wheel.

    “Just say what you’re really thinking,” Ellis said, tossing the decision her way. He emphasized his next words with pointed weight. “I’ll go with whatever you say.” Freya pressed her lips together, still a little hesitant. “Would it be too much to kick him out?”

    “It wouldn’t. You know exactly how he was raised.”

    “Then…”

    “Then it’s settled!” Kendra jumped in, sealing the deal for her.

    Freya let out a slow breath and gave Ellis a telling nce. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him there—but clearly, Kendra didn’t.

    Ellis offered a faint, crooked smile, spinning his phonezily between his fingers. He unlocked it and typed a message. “Freya, you will pay for this.” Freya stared nkly. How could someone be this petty?

    Half an hourter, Kendra, seeing Ellis still loitering around, couldn’t help herself. “Aren’t you leaving?”

    “Dad messaged me. Told me to stay and keep an eye on you two,” Ellis replied without a hint of shame. “He’s worried about losing you.” Both Freya and Kendra fell silent.

    In the end, Ellis stayed.

    That night, after dinner and some rest, Ellis—fresh from a hot shower—strolled into Freya’s room wearing a bathrobe and climbed straight into her bed, not bothering with an invitation.

    “Weren’t you the one who said it was dangerous for us to sleep together?” Freya asked, her tone edged with unease, her voice just shy of steady. “Why are you…”

    Ellis turned onto his side, his gaze fixed on her. “I came here to settle the score.”

    Freya didn’t reply.

    “Tried to kick me out?”

    “No.”

    “Avoided me?”

    “I didn’t.”

    “Then what is it?” Ellis pressed, leaning in closer.

    “You’re horrible,” Freya murmured, her voice soft, slightly drowsy, and almost childlike. “You scared me.”

    Ellis let out a suddenugh. “Didn’t think you’d ever admit to being scared.”

    “You’re horrible,” Freya repeated, half pouting.

    “How exactly am I horrible?”

    “You used to make me do leapfrog and weighted runs all the time.”

    “Since we got together, have I punished you even once?” Ellis pinched her cheek gently, his tone teasing. “Have I?”

    Freya answered seriously, “It’s psychological trauma from before—it has nothing to do with now.”

    .

    .

    .