The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Chapter 12

That afternoon, Audrey's call reached Freya.

Freya was well aware of Audrey's disdain for Eloise. Eloise was an orphan from the Harwood family, notorious for her overbearing pride.

Despite controlling all of the Harwood family's assets, thanks to a longstanding feud between their families, Audrey's grudge against her was undeniable. She viewed Eloise as pretentious, hence her reluctance to let Kieran be with her.

In contrast, Audrey considered Freya the ideal match for the Sutton family's leading lady in temperament and education. She thought Freya was well-mannered, presentable, and from a clean background. Audrey's affection for her was merely a play for benefits. By this time, Freya had been chauffeured to the Sutton family's estate. As soon as Freya entered the hall, Audrey greeted her with a smile, "Freya, come here."

Audrey patted the couch beside her. Freya nodded and went over, quickly noticing Eloise standing opposite Audrey.

as beautiful as ever, with an ethereal air about her, always appearing aloof

holding a cup of steaming coffee, her hands reddened by the heat,

wrapped around Eloise's wrist. Eloise's suicide attempt

tightly sealed the news to protect Eloise from Audrey's wrath. But Johanna seemed to have a death wish by running straight

Kieran was at fault for what happened at the engagement party. I've given him a piece of my mind, so let's not hold any grudges," Audrey said, her face a mask of kindness as she held Freya's hand. "You're to be

for your kindness, Audrey, but that

I called you here to clear the

was Kieran and Freya's engagement party, yet you deliberately staged a drama to lure Kieran away. Are you still harboring hopes of becoming the Sutton family's lady?" Audrey's voice was

pale and her hands trembled as she clutched her coffee cup. "I was just... in a bad place. Ms. Dawson, I'm sorry." Eloise's head was bowed, a flicker of defiance in her eyes. Even then, Eloise stood tall, refusing to admit

knew Eloise's character well. Eloise was always the tragic heroine, forever aloof and superior, looking as if the