The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

In the dead of night, Freya was jerked awake by a nightmare. In her dream, she got kidnapped and boarded the ship again. The salty sea breeze and the kidnapper who pinned her down were all too vivid. When Freya opened her eyes, she was in cold sweat. It was unsettling, feeling as if the ordeal had happened to her all over again.

Realizing it was all a dream, Freya rubbed her temples, fatigued. Suddenly, the lights in her room flickered on.

Freya shot up in bed, exclaiming, "Who's there?"

Preston was standing at the doorway.

Upon recognizing him, Freya sighed with relief and said, "What are you doing standing at my door in the middle of the night? You scared the life out of me."

"Scared? What were you screaming about then?"

"Screaming? What did I scream?"

the next

her nightmare? The thought made Freya feel somewhat exposed, and she cautiously asked, "Did I

relief, glad she hadn't revealed

have heard

just a bad dream. I dreamt of something evil chasing me, so I kept shouting for help. Sorry for disturbing your rest, Mr. Tyler." "Can you

had this second chance at life, Freya had been haunted by nightmares, fearing she'd wake up back on that dreadful

she was staying at Preston's place. After these dreams, Freya found it harder and harder to fall back

suggested, "If you can't sleep, get up. I know something that might

was curious but

Preston to his study, bracing

going to make me practice handwriting, are you? I can refuse, right?" She half-joked, hoping for an alternative to the

replied nonchalantly, "A drink might help. It makes sleep come