The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Chapter 2

After Freya walked away, a few people snickered, "What's with the attitude? Just wait until she sees Mr. Sutton not proposing to her. She'll be scampering into the water to pick up the ring like a puppy." "Exactly, everyone knows Mr. Sutton's heart belongs to Ms. Harwood. What's she, then? Nothing but a desperate hanger-on! If it wasn't for Audrey taking a liking to her, would Mr. Sutton even spare her a glance?"

...

Whispers and pointed looks filled the room.

Meanwhile, Freya returned to the ballroom, drenched from head to toe.

Her stepmother Johanna hurried after her. "Freya! Where have you been? Why are you all wet? You do realize it's your engagement party, don't you? Go find somewhere to dry your clothes, quick!"

"And another thing! Why are you dressed so modestly? A woman has to be more appealing to catch a man's eye!" Johanna yanked at her neckline with force.

Freya paid Johanna no mind, her gaze sweeping across the ballroom. The guests filled the room, mingling under the dim lights, all trying to get a moment with one man.

his eyes devoid of warmth, exuding

always ruled by their penises. After the engagement, you'll be Mr. Sutton's fiancée. Your job is to keep him happy and bear his child as soon as possible for a shotgun

that, Freya scoffed.

three years, only to be kidnapped on

had no intention of

Eloise at what was supposed to be their wedding

that this wedding was meant for Eloise

ignored her plight on the second

only cared about his

to pay the ransom and was eager to register his marriage

hell, starting with hope and plummeting into the despair

party. Yet her attire, her entire look, was a mirror image of Eloise's. Everyone in Echo City knew Eloise was Kieran's true love, and

remembered, in her past life, when she appeared before Kieran dressed like this, he didn't hide his disdain, saying, "Imitation is pathetic. Ellie

family, and Kieran had been childhood sweethearts. If not for the strained relations between their families, making the Harwood family unable to support the Sutton family, and Audrey's dislike for Eloise, Kieran