Chapter 2
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,” another voice chimed in. “Everyone knows Mr. Sutton’s heart belongs to Ms. Harwood. What is she, then? Nothing but a desperate hanger-on! If it weren’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!” Johanna continued, yanking at Freya’s neckline. “Why are you dressed so modestly? A woman has to be more appealing to catch a man’s eye!”
Freya paid Johanna no mind, her gaze sweeping across the ballroom. The guests filled the room, mingling under the dim lights, all vying for a moment with one man.
Kieran stood in his sleek black suit, his demeanor icy. His face, a masterpiece of chiseled perfection, was devoid of warmth, exuding an aura that said, ‘Keep out.’ His proud nose and thin, cold lips seemed sculpted.
“Men are always ruled by their penises,” Johanna declared, her voice animated as if she were the one engaged to Kieran. “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—a shotgun wedding! Imagine being the lady of the Sutton family, basking in endless luxury!”
Hearing that, Freya scoffed. ‘Endless luxury?’
In her past life, she had given 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.
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, from 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, Freya 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 of 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 said, her face bearing a faint, demure smile that quickly disarmed 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 her grip on Freya’s dress.
Chapter 3