The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

At Summit University's sprawling campus, Freya stepped into the restroom to inspect the bright red handprint on her face in the mirror. She clicked her tongue as she muttered, "That hard of a slap? Serves her right to get expelled." Jenny's expulsion was all but a done deal. A slap in exchange for Jenny's expulsion seemed like a fair trade to Freya.

After assessing the damage on her face, Freya turned to leave the restroom, only to bump into Kieran. Her pupils instantly narrowed at the sight. How did she run into Kieran outside the ladies' room?

Instinctively, Freya wanted to pretend she hadn't seen him, but Kieran wasn't about to let her slip away.

"Why didn't you tell me you got slandered?"

Kieran's words halted Freya in her tracks. Outside, she saw a glaring caution tape stretched out, completed with a "Do Not Disturb" sign.

Turning with a forced laugh, Freya said, "Mr. Sutton, fancy seeing you here. I didn't notice you just now."

"Not a coincidence. I was waiting here for you on purpose."

Kieran had instructed Jarrett to relocate everyone from this floor to ensure privacy.

He stepped toward Freya and pressed, "You haven't answered my question."

"Mr. Sutton, we've called off our engagement, meaning there shouldn't be anything between us anymore. Being slandered is my business. I don't need to inform you, right?" Freya backed away, eager to put as much distance between them as she could. "Is that so?"

"Yes." Freya nodded earnestly.

As Freya thought Kieran was merely stirring trouble out of boredom, he suddenly stepped closer.

This move put Freya on high alert. Her brow furrowed as she asked, "What are you doing?"

"Why are you avoiding me?"

Memories of that night flashed in Freya's mind- Kieran grabbing her wrist, pinning her against the wall, and kissing her fiercely.

Then, Freya said, "Mr. Sutton, I'm not avoiding you. I don't see a reason for us to meet."

"Is your injury healed?"

"No."

"Then, according to the agreement, I'm still your guardian until it does."

"Guardian? You?" Freya almost laughed out loud at that.

Kieran, her guardian? The same Kieran who in the past life had handed her to kidnappers, watching her die, was claiming to be he guardian? What kind of joke was this?

"Is that a problem?" Kieran stated calmly, "I've given it some thought

haven'treated you well beforeeso you have such a poor impression of me."

"And your point?"

"I'm thinking about changing the way I treat you," Kieran said, expecting to see a flash of delight or surprise cross Freya's face.

Instead, she impassively extended her hand, saying, "Sorry, no need."Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.

With that, Freya turned to leave.

Kieran called out, "Freya!"

"What now?" Freya turned back, her tone impatient, "I'm having trouble moving around, Mr. Sutton. Could you tell your people not to tape off areas around restrooms? It makes it hard to walk."