Chapter 135: The Breakup Fee

The evening after Freya spoke with Adrian, Louis came home carrying a folder.

Freya eyed it suspiciously. "If that's another conspiracy archive, take it back outside."

"It's not."

He placed it on the table.

Inside were financial documents.

Freya's suspicion increased. "That is somehow worse."

Louis explained that several frozen Stone family assets had been released after investigators determined they were unrelated to Adrian's disputed transactions. Combined with Northstar's growth, his personal finances were now considerably stronger than when Freya first woke up.

"Congratulations," she said cautiously.

Louis slid one document toward her.

It transferred a substantial sum into an account solely under her control.

Freya stared at the number.

"What is this?"

"Your breakup fee."

She looked up so quickly he almost laughed.

"Excuse me?"

Louis leaned back. "You stayed with me when you believed I had thirty thousand dollars and no career. According to your original plan, you expected to help me rebuild and eventually leave with compensation."

Freya's face became hot. "I told you that in confidence."

"You told me during your transmigration confession."

"Same thing."

Louis pushed the document closer. "So I'm paying it."

Freya narrowed her eyes. "Are you divorcing me?"

"No."

"Then why would I take a breakup fee?"

"Because it's yours whether you leave or stay."

Freya understood then. This was not payment for loyalty. Louis wanted to remove money as a chain between them. If she stayed, it would never be because she lacked the means to go.

The gesture touched her more than she wanted to show.

She closed the folder. "Fine. I'll accept it."

Louis looked mildly surprised.

"But," she continued, "I'm investing part of it."

"In what?"

"My publishing studio."

Freya had been considering creating a small company to manage her books, audio rights, translations, and future adaptations. She no longer wanted writing to remain merely the emergency profession she brought from her previous life.

Louis nodded. "Good."

"And I'm keeping my own accounts."

"Obviously."

"And this doesn't mean you get to call it a breakup fee again."

"What should I call it?"

Freya thought. "Compensation for emotional distress caused by a secretly-not-bankrupt husband."

Louis laughed.

She looked at him across the little table where they had once eaten cheap breakfast while both pretending their marriage was simple.

Her original plan had finally come true in the most ridiculous possible way.

She had helped the bankrupt tycoon rebuild.

She had received the money.

The only problem was that she no longer wanted the breakup.

Freya later reviewed the transfer with her own accountant before signing anything. Louis did not object. In fact, he seemed pleased that she refused to accept even a generous gesture without independent advice. Their marriage had moved a long way from the days when money passed from Louis to the original Freya without conversation.

Freya later reviewed the transfer with her own accountant before signing anything. Louis did not object. In fact, he seemed pleased that she refused to accept even a generous gesture without independent advice. Their marriage had moved a long way from the days when money passed from Louis to the original Freya without conversation.

Freya later reviewed the transfer with her own accountant before signing anything. Louis did not object. In fact, he seemed pleased that she refused to accept even a generous gesture without independent advice. Their marriage had moved a long way from the days when money passed from Louis to the original Freya without conversation.

Freya later reviewed the transfer with her own accountant before signing anything. Louis did not object. In fact, he seemed pleased that she refused to accept even a generous gesture without independent advice. Their marriage had moved a long way from the days when money passed from Louis to the original Freya without conversation.