The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

"Does it hurt here?" Neil asked, gently probing Freya's back. "Hey, hey, don't move... Stop, stop."

Freya winced in pain. The fall onto the bed and Preston's not-so-gentle push seemed to have worsened her condition.

Neil examined Freya's back concernedly before saying, "It's nothing serious. You just bumped into some bone. You'll be fine after some rest."

"I thought I was a goner at Preston's hands," Freya said, casting a resentful glance at Preston, who stood awkwardly to the side.

Neil adjusted his glasses and chided, "Why on earth were you drinking?"

"I... couldn't sleep," Freya mumbled, embarrassed. She couldn't bring herself to admit her nightmares had scared her awake. It seemed too humiliating.

"I bet Preston led you astray, right?" Neil accused, turning his gaze toward Preston. "You know she's a delicate flower, not as sturdy as the buddies you're used to roughhousing with. If you break her, what are you going to do? Spend the rest of your life making it up to her?"

Freya looked at Neil and asked, "Dr. Anderson, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Does Preston have some health issue?"

"What? Of course not! How could Preston have health issues?"Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

"Then, is he unable to find someone to settle down with?"

"Well... Preston's got the looks and the money, a real catch. But he might be too intense, which scares the ladies away."

"No wonder," Freya nodded in understanding.

Puzzled, Neil asked, "No wonder what?"

"No wonder you're keen on setting me up with Mr. Tyler. You're afraid he'll end up alone."

Freya and Neil didn't notice

100%

Preston's darkening expression the clock struck four in the morning,

and Freya's intoxication began to

fade.

Regret washed over her as she recalled her drunken antics before Preston. 'Freya, oh Freya, you've done it this time. Anyone but Preston would have been fine. After all, Preston will be part of Eloise's team. He's not someone to get close to, let alone offend.'

Meanwhile, back in his study, Preston was deep in thought.

Sitting close by, Neil commented, "Ms.

How could you be rough with such a delicate girl? Hey, Preston, are you

is quite the character.

"She said I had ulterior motives for using her against Kieran."

"What? She knows?" Neil jumped up from the sofa, alarmed. "Or does she suspect our intentions?"

"She thinks my real target should have been Eloise, not her," Preston continued.

Neil grew more anxious as he listened. How could Freya know about Preston's original plans? "And then?" Neil urged.

Preston paused before adding, "She said I'm head over heels for Eloise, doing all this to be with her." "What? That doesn't make sense," Neil exclaimed, utterly confused.

Preston's supposed undying love for Eloise? Where on earth did Freya get that idea?

Preston was as baffled, but Freya's conviction had planted a seed of doubt in his mind.