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?"

from the next room, begging someone

in her sleep about her nightmare? The thought made

was a relief. Freya sighed with relief, glad she hadn't revealed more

I have heard something else?" Preston

was just a bad dream. I dreamt of something evil chasing me, so I kept shouting for help. Sorry for

since she had this second chance at life, Freya had been haunted by nightmares, fearing she'd wake

nightmare, likely because she was staying at Preston's place. After these dreams, Freya found it harder and harder to

can't sleep, get up.

Freya was

his study, bracing herself for what he might

I can refuse, right?" She half-joked, hoping for an alternative to the hours of writing practice she'd

might help. It makes