Chapter 2: Living an unplanned life.

We didn't do anything, you misunderstood the whole thing," Astrid said, trying to defend herself.

Her father's expression remained unconvinced. "I saw both of you with my two eyes," he said, his voice firm.

Mira jumped into the conversation, her voice shrill. "She's slandering me!"

Their father held up a hand, silencing them both. "Shut up, both of you. Pray that your engagements go well."

Astrid's eyes narrowed, her anger rising. "I want to cancel my engagement."

Her father's expression changed from anger to shock. "What?"

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

Mira's eyes widened in surprise. "Who do you want to get engaged to?"

Astrid shrugged, her shoulders barely moving. "I don't know, but it's definitely not George."

Mira's face contorted with rage. "Are you interested in Mr. Thompson? Look, he's older than you and way out of your league."

Astrid's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not interested in him."

But Mira wouldn't let up. "Then why did you sleep with him?"

Astrid's face paled, her eyes darting to her father. "I'm not interested in him," she repeated.

But Mira continued to taunt her. "But you slept with him."

Their father intervened, his voice firm. "Both of you should stop this."

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

But her father's voice stopped her. "I'm not done talking to you."

Astrid turned back, her eyes narrowing. "What's left?"

Her father's expression was calm, but his voice was firm. "Apologize."

Astrid's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

Her father's voice was stern. "Apologize to your sister."

Astrid's face contorted with anger. "I won't."

Her father's expression turned cold, his voice menacing. "If you don't apologize right now, then you'll have to leave this house."

Astrid's eyes flashed with defiance. "Why should I apologize to her? It's Mira who owes me an apology for constantly sleeping with George behind my back."

Mira's face contorted with rage, and she spat out, "If your scandal gets out, don't you know that it's a disgrace to our family for you to sleep with a man who's ten years older than you?"

Astrid's eyes narrowed, her voice cold. "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 red with anger, and he shouted, "Shut up!!"

Astrid's eyes flashed with anger, and she stood her ground. "Both of you are shameless."

Her father's face was fuming with anger, and he ordered, "Astrid Walton, apologize to your sister this minute."

But Astrid refused, her voice firm. "I won't."

Her father walked up to her, his hand raised, and Astrid felt a surge of fear. He slapped her, and Mira made a mocking face.

Astrid turned to leave, but her father's voice stopped her. "Astrid, come back here."

"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," Mr. Walton threatened, his voice cold and menacing.

Astrid didn't flinch, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Do as you please," she said, her voice calm and collected.

She turned and walked away, leaving Mr. Walton seething with anger. Astrid walked into her room, the door closing behind her with a soft click. She felt a lump form in her throat as tears filled her eyes. She hated her life, hated the way she was treated like a pawn in her family's game of power and wealth.

Why did Mira have everything she wanted, while she had nothing? No love, no care from anyone. Astrid's eyes wandered to the table, where her mother's pictures were displayed. She picked one up, her fingers tracing the familiar features. She wished her mother was alive, wished she didn't have to endure any of this.

Astrid felt a sense of desperation wash over her. She didn't know where to go, but she was sure of one thing - she was leaving the house. She was tired of everything, tired of being treated like a second-class citizen.

She began to pack her valuables into a suitcase, her movements slow and deliberate. She took a deep breath before leaving, the weight of her decision settling on her shoulders. She had no money, nothing. No way to pay her debts, no way to start anew.

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 frustrated and helpless.

Astrid remembered 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. She couldn't pay in installments because her credit card had been seized. The weight of her debt settled on her shoulders, making her feel like she was drowning.

As she went downstairs, she saw her father in the sitting room, but he didn't even spare her a glance. Astrid felt a pang of sadness, knowing she was leaving behind the only home she had ever known.

Astrid took her luggage and went inside the car, feeling a sense of freedom wash over her. She decided to drive far away from there, as far as she could. She wanted to leave everything behind - start a new life, get a job, work hard to make a living, and live a good life somewhere else.

As she started driving, the wind blowing through her hair, she felt a sense of liberation. She was finally taking control of her life, making a change. But her freedom was short-lived.

Suddenly, she was cornered by four black cars, their tires screeching as they surrounded her. Astrid's heart racing, she wondered what was happening, what she had done, who she had offended. But she couldn't think of anyone.

She tried to drive away, but the cars blocked her path. A man in a black suit opened the door and took her out of the car, his grip firm but gentle. Astrid's voice was nowhere to be heard; she couldn't even scream. She was in shock, her body numb with fear.

The man in black suits put her in his car, and Astrid sat there, frozen. She had no idea where they were taking her or what they wanted from her. She was trapped, helpless.

Unknown to her, Andrew had sent someone to keep an eye on her from the minute she left the hotel and report everything that happened to him. The man in black suits drove forward, the silence in the car deafening. Astrid's mind was racing, her thoughts jumbled with fear and uncertainty.

It felt like eternity before the car finally stopped. Astrid was woken up by a light tap on her shoulder. When she got down, she was shocked by their destination. The destination she expected was a warehouse where she'd be beaten to death by them. Instead, she followed them inside a house, her heart still racing with fear.

As she entered the house, she saw a figure standing in the shadows. The man in black suits stepped aside, revealing the mastermind behind everything: Mr. Andrew Thompson.

Astrid's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with questions. What did he want from her? Why had he sent his men to take her? She stood there, frozen, waiting for him to speak.

'Does he want his money?,the day isn't over yet.... Or does he want me?'