01

Astrid’s POV

Fiona-my adopted sister- was the first to welcome me to the conference room. “You are going to ace this, Astrid. I’m rooting for you.” She smiled at me, holding my fingers.

“I hope so, Fiona. I worked hard for this.” I sighed, squeezing her hand back. She was just the support I needed.

Minutes passed and my dad walked into the elegant boardroom, I stilled, anxiety taking over me so much that my palms got sweaty. this was the long awaited moment. However, when he uttered his first sentence, betrayal rocked my being. My chair flew back as I rose to my feet. “What are you saying, Dad?” I gritted out.

“Please behave yourself Astrid.” He barely glanced at me and his hand beckoned to Fiona. “Come here my brilliant gem."

It seemed like the world was crashing down on me, when I heard his words.

“Right here and now, I declare Fiona, my lovely daughter, as the new CEO.” My dad spoke, breaking my heart.

“But Dad…” My lips trembled, and I gripped the table hard, “How can you do this, dad? I spent years doing my best, for this company, for you. Dad, I think you meant me, not Fiona. You said I’d take the company when I clock twenty-four.”

My eyes went to my sister, Fiona, asking her for support. Dad always listened to her, maybe she'd point out his errors. However, she turned away and strolled to stand by my father's side.

“Yes, my deserving darling daughter.” My father praised Fiona and I bit my lips in anger. “Fiona, I know you’d take this company to new heights.”

Unable to take anymore, I slammed my fist on the table. “How could you do this? I wasted five years of my life studying for this company, Dad. Fiona, you said you would always be by my side, why are you doing this?” My words blazed out, ignoring the presence of the other employees. I couldn’t care less.

"Well, it’s about time, Astrid. Don’t you think so?" Fiona’s voice was mocking. "Did you really think you’re the rightful person to take over this company? So you can run it into the ground?"

"What do you mean by that, Fiona?" My voice was trembling, but I couldn’t stop it. Was she really suggesting I was unfit for the role? And that she was?

"It means that she is the CEO. As for you, you will start with the marketing department. When I'm sure you're ready, you will become COO." Dad's eyes locked on my teary eyes.

This couldn't be happening. Fiona wasn't interested in business. She wanted to be a doctor and had attended medical school. I had studied so hard to become CEO.

Fiona brushed past me, carrying her stuff "Dad, can we go? We need to go to my party."

Dad smiled and nodded. “Yes princess. I'm so proud of you and the wise lady you've become.” Then with one last mocking glance, they walked out.

I stayed seated, my eyes rooted to one spot, although I wasn't concentrating on what was there. Rather, I was wondering what had just happened. This company belonged to me. I'd sacrificed my dreams for this.

No! I knew that I wasn't going to take this one lying down. I had to speak some sense into my dad. Whatever was going on behind the scenes, I was going to expose it and take my place.

I arrived at the hotel where the party was taking place but as I was about to walk in, Alia my father's PA stopped me. "Ms Marshall I'm sorry but you can't go in there. You are not invited." I rolled my eyes and brushed past her, ignoring her cries for me to wait.

When I got to the elegant gold and white themed ballroom, I noticed the guests were all huddled in one spot, facing the stage. I rushed toward it, my heart almost bursting out of my chest. I just hoped they hadn’t declared Fiona CEO already, especially not in front of all these people. Either way, I would still fight for what's mine.

As I stepped forward, I heard the words I had dreamed of Adrian-my boyfriend-saying to me, "Fiona, my love, will you marry me?”

We both gasped, one from excitement and the other out of shock. Then her lips broke out into a broad smile like it was the happiest day of her life.

"What the hell is going on here?" I demanded, my voice cold and sharp. They all turned to look at me.

"Why are you proposing to my sister, Adrian? I am your girlfriend!"

The crowd gasped before breaking out into murmurs as they looked on, anticipating the drama that was about to unfold.

"Astrid, you're making a scene," Fiona whispered, glancing around. "Will you just stop it and go home? Adrian wants me now." She flaunted her ring in my face.

"Fiona? What are you saying? He is my boyfriend. You promised you'd help me propose to him today. You told me you set everything."

Adrian's eyes snapped to mine, his mouth dropping open. "Propose?"

For a moment, I thought my revelation would make him regret and amend for this error. But instead, he started laughing while clutching his stomach.

"Oh my goodness, propose? Astrid, you really thought I'd ever marry someone like you? Are you serious?"

My bottom lip quivered, my eyes welling up with tears. "Someone like me? What is that supposed to mean?" I reached out to hold his hand, but he shrugged it away from me.

"Don't touch me, Astrid. Did you really think what we had could lead to something more? You're lucky I didn't get what I wanted from you before today. Sadly, you were such a prude. By the way, I will be marrying the heiress. Fiona is the heiress."

My heart sank. I I felt like the world was drifting from my control. I couldn't bring myself to acknowledge that Adrian, Fiona, the people I trusted with my life. They had turned on me so badly without any remorse.

"Fiona," I mumbled, my lips parting as I glanced at her. "You're my sister. How could you do this to me, Fiona?"

"Oh, please, Astrid. Adopted sister. That counts, right? And you've always had everything for yourself, right? It's my turn to enjoy something good."

Just then, Dad's voice growled behind me. "Astrid, I have told you to stop making a fool of yourself. What are you doing here, embarrassing my company? And to think I wanted to make you CEO in the first place."

"Dad! Please, you have to reconsider this. Is someone blackmailing you?" I whispered while searching his face for any reaction to show he was being blackmailed. But there was nothing. He remained impassive. A hard glare tugging at his lips.

"Astrid, get out of here before I call security and have you escorted out. Now!" my dad roared, his voice resounding off the walls of the party hall.

My stomach dropped, and I shook my head, trying to blink away the tears. I wasn’t going to cry in front of all these people.

"You all are going to regret this," I snapped. "Dad, Fiona, Adrian, I swear I will make you pay!"

"Good luck trying, bitch," Fiona replied. Then she turned around, pulled Adrian closer, and locked their lips in a heated kiss.

I turned around, running out of the party, the murmur of the guests now reaching my ears.

"Oh my God, Arthur was going to make this girl CEO. She would have run his company to the ground. It's a good thing he didn't," one guest said.

Another added, "A woman proposing to a man? Outrageous and stupid. I hope my daughter never grows to be this foolish."

Their words brought a fresh spring of tears to my eyes, and I knew I had to leave before they considered me a weakling. I scurried out of the room, their snide remarks and mocking laughter becoming almost inaudible.

I ran off not caring where I was going but knowing I needed to get away. Tears blurred my vision and I choked back a sob.

"Hey! What are you doing? Get out of the road!" I heard someone shout seconds before I heard the screeching of car tyres on the road.

And in that moment, I knew I was going to die.