Memories.

Freya sat next to the fireplace that night , her thoughts were making her head ache un bearably. She was still trying to process the information she'd been given. She looked at the envelope in her hands and frowned. Alec must already know about her background and yet he still cares about her.

' Gwendoline Prudence Barkley '

She read the name out loud as if she'd never heard it before. Her...she was ' his ' daughter. The man who'd taken away a part of her heart. He'd taken her away...Alison. She crumpled the envelope and threw it into the flames. She watched it burn and the flames rose...just like that horrid night.

" Please let her go!" Freya begged with all the breath in her lungs. Her throat was dry from all the screaming but she didn't care. Her beautiful daughter was being held at gun point and there was nothing she could do.

" First , tell me where Denis is..." He squeezed her tiny neck and she shrieked in pain. " Or I'll be forced to do something we'll both regret."

" Marcus! " Ryan came down the stairs casually. He had a smile on his face despite the situation. " I see you've met the family. "

Freya couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. She blinked a few times and rose to her feet.

" Ryan he has Alison ! Do something! " Her voice broke and she started to sob. " He'll hurt her. "

Ryan walked past her and sat on his favorite chair. He crossed his legs and looked at his daughter. Her big eyes were teary and she was trembling with fear.

" I'm here for Denis. Your men took him. " Marcus spat. He had to take care of his men. They all were family to him.

" Well , he got involved in things he shouldn't have but if you want him back , it'll be my pleasure. " Ryan snapped his fingers and two men dragged a body and threw it at Marcus' feet. It was Denis. His face was deformed and dried blood covered his entire body.

Freya's mind nearly blew up. What was Ryan doing? This man came here for Denis , alive. He didn't come for a dead body. She prayed he didn't take out his anger on little Alison.

" You just made a big mistake , Reinster. A very big mistake. " Marcus clenched his teeth and a tear drop escaped his hazel eyes.

" Please ! She's just a kid ! Please don't do anything stupid! " Freya begged.

" Give me my daughter and leave or else I won't let the rest of your gang see the sunrise tomorrow. " Ryan frowned.

" Ryan ! " Freya was confused. Was he trying to make the situation worse? Didn't he realize their daughter was in danger?

Marcus let out a low and painfully slow chuckle that made the hair on her back stand. Like a flash of lightning , nearly a dozen men raided their living room and bullets started to fly. Freya lay flat on the ground and struggled to see through the chaos.

" Set it on fire!"Marcus' voice echoed in the chaos. It was like a nightmare was unfolding before her eyes. Bright red flames started to rise. They consumed nearly half the living room in a few minutes. Marcus stood on the other side with Alison in his arms. The flames made him look like the devil.

" Alison! " Freya screamed and tried to ran past the flames but Ryan held her back. " Please give her to me! "

" Mummy!Mummy! "Alison cried and struggled to free herself from Marcus' grip.

" I beg you...please give her to me." Freya's eyes were red from crying. She felt helpless.

Alison looked up at Marcus and cried. " Please , let me go to my mummy. "

Marcus looked at her for a while and he slowly loosened his hold. She grinned excitedly and slowly started to walk towards Freya.

Freya was over joyed. She was terrified that she'd never be able to hug her little bundle of joy. Ryan loosened his grip and she was able to kneel down and spread her arms. Alison smiled as she walked to her mother but then she suddenly stood still. Her big eyes widened for a moment. She looked at her mother and smiled as she fell to the ground.

Freya didn't understand what was going on for a while. Her arms stayed spread , waiting for Alison. She elevated her gave to see Marcus standing there with a gun in his hand. Then slowly , her mind took in what happened. Alison had been shot.

" Alison!" Freya screamed and fell back into Ryan's arms. Her strength drained out of her body. Her vision blurred but she was able to see Marcus lifting a tiny body. Blood covered her white dress and she wobbled lifelessly.

" Alison..." She closed her eyes and darkness engulfed.

" Freya...Freya..." Ryan patted her shoulder and she looked up at him.

" Ryan , what do you need?" She was still emotional. She could never heal from the wound of losing a child.

" It's getting late. Let's go to bed. " He helped her up.

Freya was torn. She didn't know whether it would be right to tell Ryan about Gwen. She knew Ryan could be quite dangerous but she also knew that Alec was no less. He wouldn't let anything happen to Gwen. She didn't know whether to avenge her daughter or protect her son's heart.

Ruth placed her head on his shoulder and slept peacefully. He'd been talking to her for a long time and she finally fell asleep. His throat was parched. Yes he was talkative , but he didn't talk so much before.

" We look so good together. " He chuckled as he smiled proudly. It was like a romantic movie. Stuck in an elevator , lights off , scared girl , brave handsome tall man...he was grinning idiotically. His happy time was interrupted when the elevator door slowly came open.

Ruth rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and looked around. She gave a sigh of relief. Finally they could get out!

" Let's go. "

When they got into her apartment , they were both exhausted. It was past midnight and they were sleepy.

" Are you still hungry?" Derek yawned and threw himself on her couch.

" All I need is some sleep right now. " Ruth sat next to him and put her arms around him and closed her eyes.

" Sorry for the intrusion , love birds. " Richard came out of the kitchen. A glass of champagne decorated his palm and he smirked. " I'm sorry for having a but of your diner. I got hungry waiting for you. Truth be told , it was delicious."

" What do you want Richard?" Ruth rolled her eyes. She was tired and just needed some shut eye. Derek ignored Richard and shut his eyes.

" I'm here to talk about something. " He sipped his champagne.

" Revenge. "