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 voice trembling with

my house. I go where I please!" Leland's outburst sent the maid reeling, her body shaking like a leaf in a

bruised arms was all Freya needed

Kieran to see the chaos Johanna

approached the maid, her movements gentle as she helped her to her feet. The marks of abuse were evident, a silent

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 to a

me leave!" Her pleas were

upstairs. Seeing her son's swollen face, she instantly surmised

she rounded on Freya. "How dare you strike your brother? Have you lost your mind? What's your point with all this, calling off the engagement

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