The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

After Freya walked away, a few people snickered, "What's with the attitude? Just wait until she sees Mr. Sutton not proposing to her. She'll be scampering into the water to pick up the ring like a puppy." "Exactly, everyone knows Mr. Sutton's heart belongs to Ms. Harwood. What's she, then? Nothing but a desperate hanger-on! If it wasn't for Audrey taking a liking to her, would Mr. Sutton even spare her a glance?"

...

Whispers and pointed looks filled the room.

Meanwhile, Freya returned to the ballroom, drenched from head to toe.

Her stepmother Johanna hurried after her. "Freya! Where have you been? Why are you all wet? You do realize it's your engagement party, don't you? Go find somewhere to dry your clothes, quick!"

"And another thing! Why are you dressed so modestly? A woman has to be more appealing to catch a man's eye!" Johanna yanked at her neckline with force.

Freya paid Johanna no mind, her gaze sweeping across the ballroom. The guests filled the room, mingling under the dim lights, all trying to get a moment with one man.

Kieran stood in his sleek black suit. His demeanor was icy. His face was a masterpiece of chiseled perfection, his eyes devoid of warmth, exuding an aura that said, 'Keep out.' Following his gaze downward was a proud nose and thin, cold lips as if sculpted.

"Men are always ruled by their penises. After the engagement, you'll be Mr. Sutton's fiancée. Your job is to keep him happy and bear his child as soon as possible for a shotgun wedding! Imagine being the lady of the Sutton family, basking in endless luxury!" Johanna grew more animated with each word as if she was the one getting engaged to Kieran.

Hearing that, Freya scoffed. 'Endless luxury?'

In her past life, she gave her all to Kieran for three years, only to be kidnapped on their wedding day and tormented for three endless days and nights!

The first day, she desperately hoped Kieran could save her, only to realize he had no intention of marrying her. He was too busy rushing to the airport to welcome Eloise back home.

That very day, Kieran exchanged vows with Eloise at what was supposed to be their wedding venue.

She had waited for nothing, only to discover that this wedding was meant for Eloise all along.

Kieran ignored her plight on the second day, claiming she had fled the wedding!

Knowing she was kidnapped, he only cared about his sweet time with Eloise.

On the third day, Kieran refused to pay the ransom and was eager to register his marriage with Eloise, wanting nothing to do with her.

Those three days were absolute hell, starting with hope and plummeting into the despair she felt now.NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.

Today was supposed to be their engagement party. Yet her attire, her entire look, was a mirror image of Eloise's. Everyone in Echo City knew Eloise was Kieran's true love, and Freya was a cheap substitute.

Freya vividly remembered, in her past life, when she appeared before Kieran dressed like this, he didn't hide his disdain, saying, "Imitation is pathetic. Ellie would never stoop so low!"

Eloise, the orphan of the Harwood family, and Kieran had been childhood sweethearts. If not for the strained relations between their families, making the Harwood family unable to support the Sutton family, and Audrey's dislike for Eloise, Kieran would have married Eloise long ago.

Kieran had always preferred gentle and pure women like Eloise. Unfortunately, she bore a slight resemblance to Eloise. So, Johanna had always pushed her to imitate Eloise in order to win Kieran's heart.

She had tried to please Kieran for three months. The whole Echo City knew she shamelessly chased after the opportunity to become a Sutton, yet Kieran acted as if she didn't exist.

It was only because Audrey liked her that Kieran, under Audrey's pressure, chose to engage her. But the humiliation at the engagement party and Kieran's abandonment of her for Eloise, including the three years of being used and ultimately discarded, cut her deep like a knife. Remembering her tragic fate in the past, Freya decided to let go. If Kieran loved Eloise, she would step aside!

"Johanna, I'd like a moment alone with Mr. Sutton." Freya's face bore a faint smile, as demure as ever, quickly disarming Johanna.

Seeing Freya wanting to speak with Kieran, Johanna couldn't agree fast enough. "Of course! Of course! After all, we're going to be family."

Johanna smiled from ear to ear, promptly releasing the grip on Freya's dress.