Mrs Thompson turned to Mira, her eyes locking onto hers. "You're going to have to handle this situation with Astrid," she said. "I hope you can keep your cool and not let her get to you. If she starts a fight, finish it. I believe in you, and I want you to make me proud."Mira's expression was calm and collected, but Mrs Thompson could sense a hint of determination in her eyes. She knew she was capable of handling Astrid, capable of taming Andrew, but he also knew that Astrid was a force to be reckoned with.As Andrew continued to think about the situation, he couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. He felt like he was losing control, and Astrid was getting further and further away from him. He knew he needed to do something, but he wasn't sure what.Mrs. Thompson's gaze swept over Andrew, her eyes lingering on him before shifting to Astrid. A faint frown creased her forehead as she pondered the situation."I still don't understand why Mira is here," Andrew said, his tone measu
As she got home, Astrid walked in boldly. Everyone, including Claudia, observed the change in her mood. She wasn't the calm Astrid anymore; she was the brave and bold and domineering Astrid. Her heels clicked on the floor, making a distinct sound as she walked. The way she gave orders made Claudia stand on her toes each time she spoke."Claudia, come prepare the bath water," Astrid said, her voice firm. "I want to take a bath." With that, she walked swiftly into her room, leaving Claudia to follow her instructions.Astrid decided to stay up all night to carry out her plan, and as expected, Andrew didn't come home at his usual time. He was always back by eleven PM, but now it was already 3:30 AM, and he was still not back. Astrid kept herself occupied while waiting, but at different intervals, Claudia would come to remind her to go to bed. Each time, Astrid would wave Claudia off, saying she was waiting for Andrew.As the minutes ticked by, Astrid's mind began to reel back to her enc
Astrid sat across from George, her eyes locked onto his. She could see the concern etched on his face, but she wasn't sure if it was genuine."George, what are you talking about?" she asked, her voice calm and measured. "What do you mean Andrew is the leader of a gang?"George leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm talking about the Big Dogs, Astrid. They're a notorious gang that smuggles weapons and engages in all sorts of illicit activities. And Andrew is their leader."Astrid's mind was racing. She had suspected that Andrew was involved in something shady, but she hadn't expected it to be this."Why are you telling me this, George?" she asked, her eyes narrowing. "What's in it for you?"George's expression turned serious. "I'm telling you this because I care about you, Astrid. I don't want to see you get hurt. And you're married to the leader of the Big Dogs, you're in danger."Astrid studied George's face, trying to read his motivations. Was he telling the truth, or was
When they arrived at the office, Andrew was busy giving instructions to his manager, who nodded and adjusted his glasses from time to time. Astrid stood by Andrew's side, waiting patiently until he finished. She observed the way Andrew commanded respect from his employees, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of the unease that seemed to surround her."Let's go," Andrew said, his voice firm and commanding. Astrid surprised him by slipping her small fingers into his hand. Andrew was pleased, despite the unexpected gesture. He held her hand because it wasn't something that happened often. Most of the time, Astrid was moody being with trust issues.As they walked into the office, the room fell silent, followed by loud whisperings. Astrid caught a glimpse of Kimberly's face, and her smile grew as she saw the jealousy written all over it. But Astrid didn't let Kimberly's animosity bother her; Andrew was a much bigger problem.The tension in the room was palpable, and Astrid could feel t
Astrid's eyes flashed with sarcasm as she raised her glass. "Wow," she said, her voice laced with disdain. "What did I get myself into?" The wine seemed to burn her throat as she took a large gulp, the liquid courage momentarily numbing her pain.As she set the glass down, her gaze drifted back to Andrew, her mind racing with the reality of their situation. "I'm married to a mysterious man,a masked man," she whispered, the words tasting bitter on her lips. "Someone I know nothing about... and yet, we're married."Astrid's laughter was a mixture of desperation and despair as she took three more gulps of wine. The liquid seemed to fuel her emotions, and her words spilled out like venom. Just then, Andrew's eyes flicked toward Claudia, and he intervened, his voice low and measured. "Excuse us." ********************Astrid woke up due to the piercing rays of the sun entering her eyes, with a banging headache. "What happened last night?" She asked herself as she found her
Ivy Reeds,The fifth of the Reeds children, grew up in an unsettling atmosphere. Despite being the prettiest with her long blonde hair and striking blue eyes, Ivy became a quiet child. There was no one she could confide in, no one to talk to. The tension within their family was palpable, even among the siblings. They rarely interacted, fearful that any slight disagreement would infuriate their father and result in punishment.Ivy's childhood was marred by trauma. She witnessed her elder sister's death, an event that left an indelible mark on her psyche. Her father, however, was unsympathetic. When her mother attempted to seek professional help, Ivy's father forbade the therapist from returning, dismissing Ivy's struggles as mere nightmares.As a result, Ivy grew up with a deep-seated emotional pain. Outwardly, she appeared warm and affable, but inwardly, she was dying. When she came of age, her fate was sealed with an arranged marriage – a union she didn't want but was forced to accep