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."

Handing back the phone, Freya remarked, "But this

everyone thinks Kieran's affection is out of obligation,

"Who says he didn't?"

Ronan stepping in, Eloise would have

Kieran outright rejected

see the video

she

card did he agree."

given Kieran's influence he could have easily protected. Eloise He chose

fell silent for a

wanted to, no matter who came after her, he could have kept Eloise

Yet, he didn't.

she wrong

Freya shook her head.

it matter? Kieran still sided with