The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Checking the wound and finding nothing amiss aside from a slight warmth, Preston lifted his head and said, "You've had too much to drink."

Facing Preston's calm response, Freya cried harder. "Why did you trick me into drinking? Dad always said, girls shouldn't drink too much! You're not a good guy!"

Preston rubbed his forehead, admitting that letting Freya drink to fall asleep was a terrible idea. Finally, he conceded to Freya's accusations and said, "Okay, I'm not a good guy. So, what do you want now?" Freya sniffled, "You... you apologize to me."

Preston silently observed as Freya rambled on.

Seeing her tears escalate, Preston finally compromised, "Okay, I'm sorry."

"That didn't sound sincere!"

"What counts as sincere?"

"Make a contract, saying you'll never bully Freya again or make her join your crazy schemes!"

"Maybe I should offer you compensation, too?"

"Yep!"

"You're not even drunk." Preston stood up, refusing to deal with Freya's tantrum on the couch any longer.

stood up, yelling, "Don't

he moved away too quickly. Almost instantly, Preston turned and caught Freya in his arms. "Done with your

tobacco, and Freya instinctively wanted to push him away but lacked

you're done, go back

Freya's legs were sore, having arrived without

to

"Not really... Ah!"

she could finish, Preston

balance sobered Freya up.

Regardless of Freya's protests,

Being tall, Freya felt

Tel.n

height, her stomach burning.

Preston threw Freya

the bed.

en novelxo

wince, tears blurring her vision as she looked at Preston and said, "Now

two