Chapter 2 Living An Unplanned Life

• Her father's voice thundered through the room, his words cutting deep. "Do you want to disgrace me?" he demanded, his face twisted in anger. "You're shameless!" Astrid stood her ground, her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside her. "Shameless?" she repeated, her tone laced with irony. "You should be saying that to Mira. She slept with George."
• Mira's eyes widened in protest, her voice rising in indignation. "WHAT?!" she exclaimed, her face a mask of innocence. "I didn't, that's a false accusation. You're trying to stain me with your sin."
• Their father's face turned a deep shade of red, his anger boiling over. "Shut up, both of you," he bellowed, his voice echoing through the room. "Pray that your engagements go well."
• Astrid's voice was firm, her words deliberate. "I want to cancel my engagement," she said, her voice clear and resolute. "I'm not getting engaged to George anymore."
• Her father's eyes widened in shock, his face pale with surprise. "What?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
• Mr. Walton's gaze bore into Astrid's, his eyes blazing with anger. "Are you now interested in Mr. Thompson?" he demanded, his voice laced with suspicion. "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," she said, her voice steady.
• Mira raised an eyebrow, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Then why did you sleep with him?" she asked, her voice dripping with malice.
• Astrid's expression remained serene, but a hint of defiance crept into her voice. "I'm not interested in him," she repeated, her words firm.
• Mr. Walton's face turned red with rage as he slammed his fist on the table. The sound echoed through the room, making everyone jump. "Both of you should stop this!" he bellowed.
• Astrid stood up, her movements deliberate and slow. Her eyes flashed with anger, but her voice remained calm. "I'm going back to my room," she said, her words final.
• Mr. Walton's voice was firm, his eyes stern as he gazed at Astrid. "I'm not done talking to you, Astrid," he said, his words dripping with authority. "Apologize to your sister. What you did is unspeakable."
• Astrid's eyes widened in outrage, her face pale with anger. She felt a surge of indignation course through her veins as she stared at her father. "What?" she repeated, her voice laced with incredulity. "No, I won't apologize."
• Her voice was firm, her jaw set in determination. "Mira owes me an apology, she's been sleeping with George for a long time, and I've been turning a blind eye to it. She has to apologize first" she continued, her words pouring out in a rush. "You might not notice, but they constantly sleep with each other behind my back. They do it here, in hotels, in 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. She took a step forward, trying to intimidate Astrid with her height, her voice rising in indignation. "If your scandal gets out, don't you know it's a disgrace to our family for you to sleep with a man who is ten years older than you?"
• Astrid's eyes flashed with anger, 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?" she retorted, her words cutting deep.
• 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. His voice echoed through the room, making the air vibrate with tension.
• "Astrid Walton, apologize to your sister this minute!" he demanded, his voice dripping with malice. His eyes bore into Astrid's, his gaze intense and unyielding.
• Astrid's eyes flashed with defiance as she refused. "I won't," she said, her voice firm and resolute. Her jaw was set, her shoulders squared, as she stood her ground against her father's anger.
• Mr. Walton's face twisted with anger as he walked over to Astrid, his eyes blazing with fury. He raised his hand, and Astrid flinched, anticipating the blow. The slap landed hard, stinging her cheek. Astrid's eyes welled up with tears as she turned to leave, her heart racing with hurt and anger.
• But Mr. Walton wasn't done. He grasped her arm, his grip tight. "If you step out of this house, then know that you have no share in the company, your position would be revoked, you won't get anything from me, not even your inheritance, and I'll freeze your credit card," he spat, his words venomous.
• Astrid's face was a mask of calm determination as she replied, "Do as you please." Her voice was steady, but her eyes betrayed her hurt. She shook off Mr. Walton's grip and walked away, leaving him standing alone, his face twisted with anger.
• As she entered her room, the door creaked shut behind her, and Astrid felt a wave of relief wash over her. But it was short-lived. Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed onto the bed, overwhelmed by her emotions. She hated her life. Why did Mira have everything she wanted, while she had nothing? No love, no care from anyone.
• Astrid's gaze fell upon her mother's pictures on the table. She picked one up, her fingers tracing the frame. Her mother's smiling face brought back memories, and Astrid wished she was alive. She wouldn't have to endure any of this. Astrid's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at the picture, feeling a deep sense of loss.
• As she looked around her room, Astrid knew she had to leave. She was tired of everything. She began packing her valuables into a suitcase, her hands shaking with anxiety. Each item she packed was a reminder of the life she was leaving behind.
• As she finished packing, Astrid took a deep breath, steeling herself for the unknown. She had no idea where she was going, but she knew she had to get out. The thought of facing her father and Mira again was unbearable. With a sense of determination, Astrid closed the suitcase and prepared to face whatever lay ahead.
• As Astrid opened her door, she was met with Mira's smug face. Mira stood with her arms folded across her chest, a triumphant glint in her eye. "This is what you get for trying to steal Andrew," Mira said, her voice dripping with malice. She flicked her hair over her shoulder, the gesture annoyingly familiar and condescending.
• Mira's hips swayed as she walked down the stairs, her movements fluid and confident. Astrid watched her go, feeling a pang of defeat. She couldn't help but wonder why Mira had to be so cruel, selfish and self-centered.
• Astrid's mind began to wander, her thoughts consumed by the huge debt she had to pay before the day ran out. She bit her lip, anxiety gnawing at her insides. She knew she wouldn't be able to raise such an amount in a day. Her credit card had been seized, so she couldn't even pay in installments.
• As she made her way downstairs, Astrid saw her father sitting in the sitting room. He was engrossed in his newspaper, his face a mask of indifference. He didn't even spare her a glance as she passed by. Astrid felt a pang of sadness and hurt, but she knew she had to keep moving forward.
• Her thoughts drifted back to her childhood, to the day she was born. Her mother's life had 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.
• 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, and the weight of that resentment bore down on Astrid like a physical force.
• Astrid's wardrobe was a reflection of her place in the family. 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, a reminder that she didn't quite fit in.
• When the family attended gatherings or parties, the contrast between Astrid and Mira was stark. Mira would be dressed in finery, her clothes tailored to perfection, showcasing her elegance and poise. Her hair would be styled impeccably, and her makeup would accentuate her features. She would shine like a star, radiating confidence and charm.
• Meanwhile, Astrid would be dressed in something less impressive. Her clothes might be a hand-me-down from Mira, or something that didn't quite fit right. She would try to blend into the background, feeling like she didn't quite measure up. The difference between the two sisters was like night and day, with Mira being the favored one.
• At these events, Mister Walton would often attend with Mira by his side. He would beam with pride as she charmed the guests, and he would make sure to introduce her to everyone important. Astrid, on the other hand, would usually be left behind, lingering at home with the servants. It was as if she was invisible, a mere afterthought in the family's plans.
• The message was clear: Mira was the pride of the family, while Astrid was just an obligation. Astrid felt like she was a burden, someone who was tolerated but not truly loved. She longed for attention and affection from her father, but it seemed like no matter what she did, she would always be in Mira's shadow.