The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Chapter 1

Snap! A loud slap echoed across the room, landing harshly on Freya Dawson's face, followed by the frantic tearing of her beautiful wedding dress.

"Damn it! The big boss of the Sutton Group can't even fork over five million for ransom? I've been busting my ass for days haven't gotten anything out of it. I'll make you pay!" As the kidnapper spoke, he pinned Freya down relentlessly. Gazing at Freya's soft, smooth skin, the kidnapper showed no mercy, ripping off the last piece of fabric that preserved her dignity. "But hey, getting to fuck Kieran Sutton's wife, the top socialite of Echo City, isn't a bad deal, after all!"

"No... please, I'm Kieran's wife! The lady of the Sutton family! Please let me call him. He'll pay the ransom!" Freya struggled desperately, hope and pleading in her eyes.

But her hopes were shattered by a cold statement. "Quit dreaming! Mrs. Sutton? You're nothing but Kieran's leftover trash! Kieran just married Eloise Harwood yesterday! Why would he think of you?"

Hearing that, Freya turned pale.

She thought, 'Kieran married Eloise? No! That can't be true! Our wedding was supposed to be just three days ago! I wouldn't have been kidnapped if I hadn't waited in vain for Kieran's wedding car. I have only been missing for three days. How could Kieran marry Eloise?' Freya retorted, "No... you're lying!"

"Am I? Take a good look!" The kidnapper grabbed a remote from the floor, turning on the TV.

On the screen, Eloise, wearing a wedding dress, was standing at what was supposed to be her wedding venue with Kieran.

[Ms. Dawson jilted. The Sutton Group's CEO welcomes his true love back home, exchanging vows at the wedding venue, promising a lifetime.]

been waiting in vain for Kieran's car. He had

Ms. Dawson kept her first night for Kieran. It turns out it's true! Man, I hit the jackpot! Too bad, Ms. Dawson, you're not even worth five million in Kieran's heart! If you play nice, maybe I'll leave

...

kidnapper's voice echoed in her

complete joke. Everyone in Echo City knew she was just a stand-in for Eloise. She had abandoned her pride

warmed Kieran's heart, only to realize... it was all for someone

tears of regret streaming down her face. If she could live again, she would

...

you believe it? She

that eager? Even if that was Mr. Sutton's ring, to dive in after

lapdog. She'd do anything for

...

the air. A suffocating sensation overwhelmed Freya. Her

cough..." Struggling, Freya

It was her engagement party

I traveled back