The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Neil gave Preston an eyeroll, then huffed out a sigh, "Okay, okay, I'll go get the groceries. You two have your chit-chat." With that, Neil grabbed his car keys and headed out the door of the Tyler family home. "Leaving so soon?"

Freya tried to watch Neil as he left, but Preston stepped right in her line of sight, blocking her view.

"Where's that ointment I gave you?" he asked.

"It's been in my pocket the whole time."

As she spoke, Freya pulled out the ointment.

Preston took it from her and said, "Come here."

Although Freya was puzzled, she followed Preston into the living room. He motioned for her to sit on the couch and then began to apply the ointment to the back of her hand. "Ouch-"

Freya winced and inhaled sharply from the pain - Preston was being a bit too heavy-handed.

Preston looked up at her, and his movements softened unconsciously.

He had never applied ointment for someone else before and hadn't realized his own strength at first.

be as delicate as

"How's that?"

Freya replied, "It doesn't hurt anymore, but it feels

hand back,

let go of Freya's wrist. He just shrugged, "Can you

suppose... It's

alone in her apartment, she always took care

opening the caps

part

as he applied the ointment, perfect and

Freya was lost in thought, Preston

intended her

the

truthfully, she was

bruises from

e police station.