Beauty was the Ashford family law, and Freya Sinclair was beauty come to life—until an accident stole that title from her. Sold to the Ashfords for a bag of chips, Freya was forced into a marriage with their heir, Alexander Ashford, on her 18th birthday. Unloved and unwanted because of a scar, she endured years of rejection. Determined to reclaim her life, Freya takes a stand, only to be cast out by the family that never wanted her. Homeless and disowned, she crosses paths with Sylus Thorn, a world-renowned fashion designer and enigmatic billionaire. Just when Freya believes she can start over, Alexander comes back to claim the wife he once discarded. “Do you have anything to say regarding your stepsisters’ affair with your husband?” Just when I thought I had no choice but to respond, a strong hand gripped my arm, pulling me out of the crowd. Startled, I looked up to see a tall, muscular man guiding me away with ease, his presence shielding me from the cameras and the reporters’ relentless questions. We reached a black car parked at the edge of the lot, and relief flooded through me. “Mr. Thorn,” I whispered, recognizing his familiar face. “Get in,” Sylus commanded, his voice calm but firm. Without hesitation, I climbed into the car, my heart racing from more than just the escape. Will Freya save her marriage to Alexander, or will she be swept off her feet by the mysterious Sylus Thorn? Join the MLCM Readers https://discord.gg/gEq2mCr574
Lucas turned to me, his face dark and unreadable. "Now you see," he said, his tone almost villainous, "just how far the Ashfords will go to keep their power. And this," he gestured to the hallway, "is just the beginning. They've done far worse."
I swallowed hard, my hands shaking. Could this really be true? Could the family I married into be responsible for so much suffering? And if so, what did that make me?
He took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with a certainty that unsettled me. "The Ashfords have controlled people like us for too long," he continued, his voice steady and persuasive. "You've seen it firsthand, haven't you? How they use people—how they used you. They'll chew you up and spit you out, just like they've done with everyone else. But there's a way out."