Chapter 1: Betrayal

Astrid walked into her room and found her elder sister in bed with her fiancé. She was furious. "Astrid, I can explain," her sister said, but Astrid didn't want to hear it. She shut the door and stormed out.

She stood in the hallway for a while unable to move,she had been betrayed by her blood sister and her fiance,she felt tears crowding her eyes,her face was flushed with anger but she decided that they weren't worth crying for because this wasn't the first time it has happened. Rather she must have her revenge with Mira's fiance so Mira would understand how it feels.

She felt sad because she had already developed feelings for George and seeing him doing this was heart breaking. As she stood outside the door trying to hold back her tears she heard George telling Mira not to worry and reassuring her with kisses saying he'll handle me. WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN,DOES SHE LOOK LIKE A TOY?

Astrid returned to their banquet and searched for her elder sister's fiancé, Mr. Thompson. "Mr. Thompson, there's something that's very urgent and it needs your attention " she said. "Follow me."

They slipped away from the party, and when they were alone, Astrid said, "It's in your room." Mr. Thompson swiped his card wondering what was so important,they entered the room. Astrid kissed him abruptly ,but he pulled away, confused.

Mr. Thompson's expression changed.

"What's the meaning of this?" Mr Thompson asked in a stern tone.

"Mira cheated on you with my fiance George,so we need to get our revenge."

"What would I get if you get your revenge?" he asked. "I don't have anything against Mira, and I'm even happy she's doing it so I can break off the engagement. What do I get if you get your revenge?"

Astrid smiled. "You'll get paid," she said. "How much do you want?"

Mr. Thompson smiled back. "Let's talk about that later."

Few moments later

Mira walked into their room so she can have a shower and change into a different clothes, her eyes widening in shock as she found Astrid cuddling Mr. Thompson. She let out a loud scream, waking them up. Astrid smiled slyly when she saw Mira,she locked her eyes on hers and dropped a kiss on Mr. Thompson's bare chest, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"How dare you?" Mira spat, her face red with anger.

Astrid sat up, a triumphant smile still plastered on her face. "You started it first," she replied, her voice dripping with malice.

Mr. Thompson, tired of their bickering, interrupted with a dismissive tone. "Go home and argue, don't bother me." He stood up, his movements abrupt, and began to get dressed.

Mira's face twisted in anger, she turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Astrid and Mr. Thompson alone. Astrid lay back on the bed, a smug smile still on her face, as Mr. Thompson got up to get dressed.

"Are you satisfied with the outcome?" Mr. Thompson asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Astrid nodded, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. "I am."

Mr. Thompson's expression turned serious. "You owe me, Astrid. Five million."

Astrid's eyes widened in shock, her smile faltering. "WHAT??!! That's too much"

Mr. Thompson shrugged, his shoulders barely moving. "Any problem?"

Astrid's mouth dropped open. "Five million for one night..."

Mr. Thompson nodded, his face unyielding. "Yes. I'm not cheap. You should have known that before you dragged me here."

Astrid's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with calculations. "There's no price tag on you."

Mr. Thompson smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "How do you want to pay? Cash or..."

Astrid's face paled as she realized the enormity of the sum. "I don't have up to half of the money."

Mr. Thompson shrugged again. "You can take a loan."

Astrid's eyes widened in horror. "How would I pay back?"

Mr. Thompson's smile grew wider. "That's up to you."

Astrid's mind reeled as she tried to comprehend the situation. "Who would pay five million for one night?"

Mr. Thompson's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense. "I would, depending on the product and the outcome."

Astrid was speechless, her mouth hanging open in shock ."Let's take it like it never happened."

Astrid shook her head, her eyes still wide with shock.

Andrew spoke up "I'm a businessman, and businessmen care about profits. I'm not interested in losing five million."

Mr Thompson didn't say a word and Astrid's face fell as she realized the gravity of her situation. "How do I pay you back?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mr. Thompson's face was straight, his eyes glinting with a hint of challenge. "Well since you don't have money then you can be my mistress."

Astrid stood firm, her voice steady. "No way. I'll find a way to pay you."

Mr. Thompson's expression remained unyielding. "I'm not waiting for long. If today runs out and you can't raise the money, then you're mine."

Astrid's eyes pleaded for mercy. "Give me a month. Just a little more time."

But Mr. Thompson was firm. "We've agreed on today." He picked up his coat, his movements deliberate, and left Astrid standing alone.

Astrid returned home, her heart heavy with worry. As she entered the sitting room, she was met with her father's angry glare.

"Do you want to disgrace me?" he thundered. "You're shameless!"

Astrid stood her ground, her voice steady. "Shameless? You should be saying that to Mira. She slept with George."

"WHAT?! I didn't, that's a false accusation. You're trying to stain me with your sin." Mira protested feigning innocence.

Her father's face turned red with anger. "Shut up, both of you. Pray that your engagements go well."

Astrid's voice was firm. "I want to cancel my engagement. I'm not getting engaged to George anymore."

Her father's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

Astrid's father, Mr. Walton, glared at her, his eyes blazing with anger. "Are you interested in Mr. Thompson? He's older than you and way out of your league."

Astrid shook her head, her expression calm and collected. "I'm not interested in him."

Her sister, Mira, raised an eyebrow, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Then why did you sleep with him?"

Astrid's expression remained serene, but a hint of defiance crept into her voice. "I'm not interested in him."

Mr. Walton's face turned red with rage as he slammed his fist on the table. "Both of you should stop this! Astrid, I'm talking to you."

Astrid stood up, her movements deliberate and slow, her eyes flashing with anger. "I'm going back to my room."

But Mr. Walton wasn't done. His voice was firm, his eyes stern. "I'm not done talking to you, Astrid. Apologize to your sister,what you did is unspeakable"

Astrid's eyes widened in outrage, her face pale with anger. "What? No, I won't apologize. Mira owes me an apology for sleeping with George constantly behind my back, you might not notice but they constantly sleep with each other behind my back,they do it here,hotels,their car. I'm even disgusted anytime George decides to take me out in that dirty car of his."

Mira's face twisted with anger, her eyes blazing with fury. "If your scandal gets out, don't you know it's a disgrace to our family for you to sleep with a man who's ten years older than you?"

Astrid retorted, her voice laced with venom, "Don't you think it's also a disgrace to sleep with someone who's three years younger than you?"

Their father's face turned beet red with rage as he shouted, "Shut up!! Both of you are shameless!" He was fuming with anger, his eyes bulging with fury.

"Astrid Walton, apologize to your sister this minute!" he demanded, his voice dripping with malice.

Astrid's eyes flashed with defiance as she refused, "I won't."

Mr. Walton's face twisted with anger as he walked over to her and slapped her. Mira made a mocking face, a sly smile spreading across her lips.

Astrid's eyes welled up with tears as she turned to leave, but Mr. Walton stopped her. "If you step out of this house, then know that you have no share in the company, your position would be revoked, and I'll freeze your credit card."

Astrid's face was a mask of calm determination as she replied, "Do as you please," and walked away, leaving Mr. Walton's face twisted with anger.

Astrid walked into her room, tears streaming down her face. She hated her life. Why did Mira have everything she wanted, while she had nothing? No love, no care from anyone.

She looked at her mother's pictures on the table, picked one up, and wished she was alive. She wouldn't have to endure any of this. Astrid's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at her mother's smiling face.

Astrid didn't know where to go, but she was sure of one thing - she was leaving the house. She was tired of everything.

Astrid packed her valuables into a suitcase, her hands shaking with anxiety. She took a deep breath before leaving, steeling herself for the unknown.

As she opened her door, she saw Mira standing there, her arms folded across her chest. "This is what you get for trying to steal Andrew," Mira said, her voice dripping with malice. She flicked her hair and swayed her hips down the stairs, leaving Astrid feeling defeated.

Astrid's mind was racing as she thought about her huge debt, which she had to pay before the day ran out. She bit her lips, knowing she wouldn't be able to raise such an amount in a day. Her credit card had been seized, so she couldn't pay in installments.

As she went downstairs, she saw her father sitting in the sitting room, but he didn't even spare her a glance. Astrid felt a pang of sadness and hurt, but she knew she had to keep moving forward.

Astrid's birth was a bittersweet moment. Her mother's life slipped away, leaving behind a bereaved Mister Walton and a newborn Astrid. The grief-stricken father couldn't help but associate Astrid's arrival with the loss of his beloved wife. He had yearned for a son, but fate brought him a daughter instead.

As the days turned into years, Mister Walton's sorrow never fully dissipated. The pain of losing his wife lingered, and Astrid's presence served as a constant reminder of what he had lost. His regret and longing for a son he never had turned into resentment towards Astrid,he felt she had taken her mother's life.

Astrid's wardrobe was a hand-me-down haven. Clothes that Mira had outgrown or deemed unworthy were passed down to Astrid. The faded dresses, worn shoes, and ill-fitting coats seemed to whisper that she was an afterthought.

On rare occasions, when the family attended gatherings or parties, the contrast between Astrid and Mira was stark. Mirror would be dressed in finery, his clothes tailored to perfection, while Astrid would look below average.

More often than not, Mister Walton would attend these events with Mira by his side, leaving Astrid to linger at home with the servants. The message was clear: Mira was the pride of the family, while Astrid was just an obligation.