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.]

heart. No wonder she had been waiting in vain for Kieran's car. He had never intended to marry her. This wedding...

it's true! Man, I hit the jackpot! Too bad, Ms. Dawson, you're

...

voice echoed

knew she was just a stand-in for Eloise. She had abandoned her pride to marry Kieran, ignoring the whispers to care for Audrey Sutton and putting

she had finally warmed Kieran's heart, only to realize... it

of regret streaming down her face. If she could live again, she would stay far away from

...

it? She jumped!

if that was

is Mr. Sutton's lapdog. She'd do anything for him, even dance naked in front

...

air. A suffocating sensation overwhelmed Freya. Her head throbbed.

Struggling,

before her was too familiar. It was

back in time?' Freya