The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Chapter 9

Once a towering symbol of affluence and wealth, the Dawson family had crumbled under Leland's reckless gambit.

Before Freya stood her 18-year-old renegade so-called brother, a blaze of fury in her eyes as she lifted her hand and delivered a resounding slap.

The strike sent Leland reeling with disbelief etched across his face. "You, you hit me?"

The Freya Leland knew was gentle, her voice always laced with a softness, making her an easy target. Yet she stood her ground, her hand still stinging from the contact.

Freya fumed. "Damn right, I hit you! What gave you the audacity to barge into my room?"

Dawson, I'm so sorry! It was my fault for not stopping Mr. Dawson!" The maid quivered near the doorway, her

please!" Leland's outburst sent the maid reeling, her body shaking like a leaf

all Freya needed to

heart had been too entangled with Kieran to see the chaos Johanna and her son had wrought upon

The Dawson family is hardly yours to claim, Leland." Freya approached the maid, her movements gentle as she helped her to her feet. The marks of abuse were evident, a silent testament to her suffering. Freya snapped, "The Dawson name may carry weight, but we're not above the law. Since when does

maid's eyes as Freya defended her. She had longed to escape, trapped by Leland's threats, his misuse of his status as the Dawson heir to silence her, to keep her bound

leave!" Her pleas were a heart-wrenching symphony

Johanna hurried upstairs. Seeing her

fury was palpable as she rounded on Freya. "How dare you strike your brother? Have you lost your mind? What's your point

words. Leland isn't my father's biological son. He's of age, yet he breaks