The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

"Naylor? Who the heck is Naylor?"

Freya shot Luna a puzzled look as they sat across from each other in the school cafeteria, amidst the hum of student chatter and the clinking of cutlery.

Luna, who was fiddling with her phone, replied nonchalantly, "Oh, that's one of our seniors."

Handing her phone over, she added, "Apparently, he's from the Marshall family. But the Marshalls don't live in Echo City anymore. Heard they moved overseas after Naylor's death. Now, the forums are alive with gossip about Eloise, claiming she, Naylor, and Kieran grew up together. The rumor has it that Eloise and Naylor got carried away, and she ended up pregnant. They were planning to make it right with a shotgun wedding, but then Naylor tragically died in a car accident, and soon after, Eloise had a miscarriage. The reason Kieran's been so devoted to Eloise all these years is because of a promise he made to Naylor on his deathbed. There's nothing romantic between them."

As Freya scanned the information on the phone, she saw numerous photos of Eloise and Naylor entering a maternity store, the images clearly several years old, hinting at a story from a bygone era.

Could the rumors actually be true?

A frown creased Freya's brow.

If so, why had Kieran abandoned her to rush to the airport for Eloise in the past?

"Reya? Reya?" Noticing Freya's dazed expression, Luna asked, "What's up? You look so out of it."

the phone, Freya remarked, "But this doesn't prove Kieran doesn't

is out of obligation, not love. Otherwise, why wouldn't he

"Who says he didn't?"

stepping in,

Kieran outright rejected

you see the video

she

card did he agree."

much. But given Kieran's influence he

silent for

Kieran had wanted to, no matter who came after her,

Yet, he didn't.

she wrong

Freya shook her head.

still sided with Eloise