The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

"I must have been mistaken."

"Now that the engagement's off, whatever she does is none of your business. Do I need to spell that out for you?"

"Got it," Kieran mumbled but wasn't listening. He quickly made up an excuse and left the grand living room. Jarrett hurried after Kieran.

With a grim expression, Kieran said, "Call home. Have Nancy check if Freya is there."

"Mr. Sutton, Freya wouldn't just be out and about after the accident. Perhaps you were mistaken?"

"Just call! I need to know where she is."

"Yes, Mr. Sutton. Jarrett promptly dialed Nancy's number.

After a moment, Nancy answered, "Secretary Jarrett, what's the matter?"

"Is Ms. Dawson at home right now?"

"Of course, she's here. Ms. Dawson said she felt unwell after lunch and went to lie down."

Hearing this over the phone, Kieran snatched the phone and asked, "What time did she go to sleep?"

"Um... around noon. Ms. Dawson also mentioned not wanting to be disturbed."

"Go check on her now to see if she's in her room."

"O-Okay." Nancy hesitated but ascended the stairs, cautiously pushing open the bedroom door on the second floor.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

The curtains were drawn, darkening

the room a bit. There were faint movements on the bed, and Nancy quietly closed the door, whispering into the phone, "Mr. Sutton, I

checked, and Ms. Dawson is asleep in her bed."

At that, Kieran frowned. A shadow of doubt crossed his mind. Could he have been mistaken?

Twenty minutes later, outside the Sutton Mansion, Freya glanced

toward the Sutton home, sneaking in while Nancy was busy in the kitchen

and unaware of her presence.

en

Freya had arranged pillows and a mechanized doll under the covers in the second-floor bedroom.

Knowing Nancy had presbyopia and couldn't see in dim light, Freya hoped her deception wouldn't be discovered.

Before Freya could breathe a sigh of relief, Nancy's puzzled voice came from downstairs, "Mr. Sutton? What brings you back so early?" When hearing that, Freya's face paled. She quickly stripped off her clothes and dived under the covers, turning off the mechanized doll.

In no time, Kieran had opened her bedroom door. Click. Kieran turned on the room's light.

Blinded by the sudden light, Freya

rubbed her eyes, shielding them

from the brightness, and grumbled,

"Who is it? Didn't I say not to disturb me while I'm sleeping?"

Spotting Kieran at the door, Freya stopped in her tracks, asking in a puzzled tone, "Kieran? You're back already?" Kieran's gaze was icy as he approached the bed without a word. Before Freya could react, Kieran flung back her covers.

In the next second, an awkward situation unfolded before his eyes.

Upon seeing that, Kieran's dark expression vanished, replaced by a flush of embarrassment.