Chapter 400

“Naylor? Who the heck is Naylor?” Freya shot Luna a puzzled look as they sat across from each other in the school cafeteria, amidst the hum of student chatter and the clinking of cutlery.

Luna, fiddling with her phone, replied nonchalantly, “Oh, that’s one of our seniors.” Handing her phone over, she added, “Apparently, they moved overseas after Naylor’s death. Now, the rumors from the Marshall family… but the Marshalls don’t live in Echo City anymore. Heard forums are alive with gossip about Eloise, claiming she, Naylor, and Kieran grew up together. The rumor has it that Eloise and Naylor got carried away, and she ended up pregnant. They were planning a shotgun wedding, but then Naylor tragically died in a car accident, and soon after, Eloise had a miscarriage. The reason Kieran’s been so devoted to Eloise all these years is because of a promise he made to Naylor on his deathbed. There’s nothing romantic between them.”

As Freya scanned the information on the phone, she saw photos of Eloise and Naylor entering a maternity store, the images clearly several years old, hinting at a story from a bygone era. Could the rumors actually be true? A frown creased Freya’s brow. If so, why had Kieran abandoned her to rush to the airport for Eloise in the past?

“Reya? Reya?” Noticing Freya’s dazed expression, Luna asked, “What’s up? You look so out of it.”

“It’s nothing.” Handing back the phone, Freya remarked, “But this doesn’t prove Kieran doesn’t care for Eloise.”

“True, but everyone thinks Kieran’s affection is out of obligation, not love. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he shield her from trouble?”

“Who says he didn’t?”

If it weren’t for Ronan stepping in, Eloise would have graduated smoothly. “Didn’t you see the video on the forum? Kieran outright rejected Eloise. Only when she played the Naylor card did he agree.”

Luna sighed, “For once, I thought the guy had some integrity, albeit not much. But given Kieran’s influence, he could have easily protected Eloise. He chose not to, and I bet she could’ve graduated without a hitch otherwise.”

Freya fell silent for a moment. Indeed, if Kieran had wanted to, no matter who came after her, he could have kept Eloise safe. Yet, he didn’t. Was she wrong about Kieran? Freya shook her head. What did it matter? Kieran still sided with Eloise in the end.

After a sip of water, she said, “I’ve got plans tonight. Happy graduation, Luna.”

“Happy graduation!”

Leaving school behind, Freya returned to the Dawson residence. She had been away for a few days, nursing her injuries, turning the Dawson household upside down in her absence. Upon her return, Johanna greeted her with uncharacteristic warmth.

“Freya, I heard about your accident. Why didn’t you stay home to recover? Let me see where it hurts.”