Cancel your engagement with Astrid.

Ashley couldn't believe Astrid. She stood there and watched Astrid walk away without looking back. She wondered why she agreed to Mira's plea to talk sense into her sister. Now, look at her body - now she's stained with coffee. If she knew she would be embarrassed like this, then she wouldn't have agreed.

She walked to her car furiously, not minding the stares from the workers, and drove away. She met Mira at her home, waiting anxiously for her to return.

"How did it go?" Mira asked.

"You're looking at me, and you're asking how it went?" she replied. "Your sister is a bitch, a huge one at that. She didn't even listen to what I said. As soon as I started talking, she poured the coffee in her hand on me, rendered no apology, and walked away."

"Did you tell her that I'm the one who sent you?" Mira asked curiously.

"No, am I stupid?" Ashley replied, answering a question with a question.

"Really? Oh, that's good. Thank you," Mira said. "Even if it didn't work out," Mira added.

"Why are you so self-centered?" Ashley snapped. "I'm telling you what happened, and all you could care or ask about is yourself. Won't you help me wash my hair at least?"

"I have to see Mrs Thompson," Ashley said. "She's in the hospital."

Mira replied trying to dodge Ashley's request. "What? Like, are you really leaving me here alone? It's almost two o'clock. I promised her I'd see her by then. I'll talk to you later, anyway. Okay?"

Mira said as she picked up her bag, blew Ashley a kiss, and walked away.

Sitting in the car, Mira pondered why Ashley had to behave like that. What had gotten into her? Did she feel she could get Andrew because of her pregnancy? Since Ashley didn't listen to Mira's threat, she would find another way to speak to her.

Mrs Thompson was bothered about everything. Andrew said she should rest, but she couldn't. How could she rest when such issues arose, and she didn't want to postpone the marriage?

"John," she called.

"Yes, ma'am," John replied as he entered.

"I want you to get me discharged, but don't let Andrew know about it."

"Why?" John asked.

"Come closer," she said, and John obeyed.

"I want to see the Smiths on behalf of Andrew and Astrid. Astrid is engaged to George Smith, but she needs to get married to Andrew because of the baby. I'm sure you know about the baby already. I don't want to lose our reputation or lose my first grandchild. Please," she pleaded, hoping to get John's sympathy because ordering him won't work.

"We need to make use of every second we've got. The wedding is next week." She added.

"What about Miss Mira Walton?" John asked.

"I will apologize to her for giving her hopes of marriage. Maybe when Astrid gives birth to the child, Andrew and Astrid will split."

"Why?" John asked.

"They are not compatible with each other," Mrs Thompson replied.

John didn't want to argue with Andrew's mother on that topic. She probably said so because she didn't see how well they related with one another.

"So, would you get me discharged so I can talk to the Smiths regarding Andrew's wedding?"

"Fine," John said, leaving the room.

Mrs Thompson decided to change into something proper for their visit.

***************

Mrs Thompson was directed to the sitting room, where the head of the Smith family sat, Sir Benjamin Smith, an elderly man who was close to his eighties, but he still looked vibrant and young, though his hair was completely gray.

"Good day, Mr Smith," Mrs Thompson greeted as she sat down.

Mr Smith noted her presence and asked, "What has brought you here, Mrs Thompson?" getting straight to business.

"I am here to discuss a very sensitive topic with you," Mrs Thompson replied.

"Oh? What could that be?" Mr Smith asked, sitting up.

"It's about your younger son, your youngest son's engagement, George Smith and Astrid Walton's engagement," Mrs Thompson spoke calmly, because she knew that such topics could create a rift between their families.

Mr Smith let out a hearty laugh. "Oh, that? They were engaged when they were little. Ah, it's been a pretty long engagement, though."

"Oh, yes, I know it's been long, but I'm pleading with you today, can you please call it off?" Mrs Thompson asked.

Mr Smith switched back to serious mode. "Excuse me?"

"Please, yes, please. I really need you to call off the engagement," Mrs Thompson pleaded.

"I'm not the one who would take the decision; you have to talk to George directly," he said calmly.

Mr Smith called out, "Williams!" and a man in a black suit came in. "Go and fetch George from his study."

Shortly, George walked in. "You asked to see me?"

"Not me, Mrs Thompson here wants to talk to you," Mr Smith said, standing up and leaving to give them privacy.

George faced Mrs Thompson, wondering what all of this was about.

Mrs Thompson decided to go straight to the point. "I want you to cancel your engagement with Astrid."

"What?" George asked, quite surprised, because his engagement to the Waltons had nothing to do with the Thompsons.

"I'm serious about what I said. I hope you will think about it and let me know about your answer," she said, picking up her bag, ready to leave.

"I'll take my leave now," she said, excusing herself.

"What does that mean?" George asked himself.

He went to the dining room, where his father sat, and asked loudly, "What do you think she meant by that?" George asked loudly hoping his father would say something or give him a hint about what was going on. But the old man didn't say anything.

George got back to his study, where he pondered about what Mrs Thompson meant. He decided to call Mira, because she was living with the Thompsons; surely she must have some information or ideas.

"What is it?" Mira thundered on the other end feeling annoyed.

"Mrs Thompson asked me to break my engagement with Astrid. What do you think she said that for, and what's her problem with Astrid?" George asked, as he paced around.

Mira calmed down and let out a sigh. "Astrid is pregnant for Andrew, that's why."

George ended the call and froze, trying to process the news.

"That darn bitch! She didn't even let me touch her, but she willingly gave herself to Andrew. He didn't even have to ask. How could she be so slutty?" he thought.

"I thought she was a good girl, brought up by her family, but instead, she's a demon on the inside," he said to himself.