The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Listening to the chorus of agreement around her, Kara almost believed it herself.

She totally forgot about her real-life situation, like she was really about to become Kieran's fiancée soon. But then Kara remembered how Kieran had disregarded Eloise's feelings for Freya, sending waves of anxiety through her once more. Could it be... Kieran had truly fallen for Freya?

No, if it were Eloise, she wouldn't have said a word.

But why Freya?

Freya was just a fallen Ms. Dawson, someone whose family was barely holding on, not much better off than her, a country bumpkin who'd come from nowhere.

If Freya could usurp Eloise's place and steal Kieran away, then she could just as easily snatch the title of Mrs. Sutton from Freya.

The next morning, Freya got up at the crack of dawn to head to Summit University.

Today was exam day, and most students had arrived early. As soon as Freya stepped into the exam hall, she felt every gaze land on her.

Those looks were filled with contempt, scrutiny, and disdain.

Who didn't know that Freya had gotten a backdoor entry into a private exam hall thanks to Mr. Sutton?

Even though the results didn't come out right away, everyone was convinced Freya must've cheated.

under their collective

in the back row, surrounded by members of the student council whispering about Freya's

All because of

sly tricks she used. I despise

this wasn't aware that their words had struck Eloise

Eloise's face darkened.

gloomy look, they figured it was 'cause she didn't crush

your grades, you could totally crush her. If this

and you don't

does, then we'll report

but

we're graduating anyway, we're not afraid of her! Why should she blatantly cheat? Such

would agree, she suddenly said,

that, the few around her

"Ellie... what's wrong?"

them asked

want to focus on my exam. I couldn't

had exposed

would be closely watched during the exam, all because of Kieran. Especially since today's paper