Chapter 02

ASTRID'S P.O.V.

I slammed the door of my car as anger raged within me. With my heels clicking against the marble floor I pushed the huge door open, there was no way he could do this, I had nurtured that company back to life and my father had absolutely no rights to sell it, none. Especially after our agreement.

“Father!” My voice echoed in the house and I noticed the workers looked at me confused but I honestly didn't care “Where the hell is he?” Troy point upstairs and I stormed.

I pushed the door of his office and slammed my hand against the table making him look at me through his glasses.

“What is the meaning of this?” I demanded, my voice shaking with anger. “You sold the company?”

“Good afternoon, Astrid. What brings you here in such a state?” He spoke calmly while leaning into his chair.

“You know exactly why I’m here! You sold my company… The company I’ve worked tirelessly to save! We had a deal!” I ignored the sting of tears in my eyes and I blinked it away.

“Your company? Let’s not forget, Astrid, that Valerian Interiors was a sinking ship when I handed it to you. You’re the captain of a ship that bore my name, my legacy. I’ve merely ensured its continued success.” My hand balled in a fist.

“We agreed, you agreed, that if I made Valerian Interiors a success within three years, you would let me live my life without interference. It hasn’t even been three years, and now you’re telling me you’ve sold it?” His lips curled in a mischievous smile

“And you have done well, Astrid. I’ll give you that. But the offer was too lucrative to refuse. It’s business.” it took a lot for me not to scream in his face as realization slowly dawned on me.

"This isn’t just business! This was my life! You…” I trailed off when the door flew open revealing my mother's petite body in an evening gown and I rolled my eyes as a wave of unease hit me.

“Astrid, darling,” She cooed, her voice laced with false sweetness. “I’m so glad you’re here. We have something very important to discuss.”

"What now?” I furrowed as confusion took the best of me.

My mother smiled widely, and a knock came at the front door that made her let out a little giggle which only meant she was up to know good

“What the hell is going on?” My father stood up and wrapped his hand around his wife.

“Let's welcome our guest” He said deadpanned not leaving any room for argument and they walked out

I shut my eyes before following them downstairs and my eyes widened when he walked through the door with flowers in his hand

"You!” my voice trembled in spit “What the hell are you doing here?”

"Good to see you too, sweetheart.” He smirked, and I tried to speak, but mother's nails dug into my skin that made me jump.

“Stay in line, Astrid. Smile.” She warned slowly before smiling at him and I glared at her before moving away from her before father cleared his throat.

"Astrid, we’ve made arrangements for your future, an arrangement that will benefit not just you, but our entire family.”

“What arrangement?” I looked at him curiously.

“You’re getting married to Jace Lysander over here.”

My father's words echoed in my ears and I looked at Jace who held a smile on his face and looked back at my father

"You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“This isn’t a joke,” father said, his tone firm. “It’s been decided.”

“It’s for the best, darling. Jace comes from a reputable family. This union will secure your future.” mother added, and I felt the world spin.

“Secure my… Are you out of your mind?” A sense of disbelief washed over me as I glared at my parents. “You can’t just decide my life for me!”

Mother's smile dropped, and my arms was suddenly yanked and pulled the study room next to us as she hisses venomously

“You will go along with this, Astrid. If you don’t, I will make sure everything you’ve worked for, everything you think you’ve achieved will be destroyed. Do you understand me?”

"You can’t control me forever.”

“Oh, but I can try, now get out there and be a darling daughter” She left the room leaving no room for argument and I followed suit while having my arms folded

I sat down silently while watching them have a discussion of my life like I wasn't right there and the realization hit me harder than I expected, my parents truly had no remorse for me, Ingrid was always their golden girl and only child, I was simply

“I won’t do this. You can’t force me.” I stood up and grabbed my keys from the table, and my father's eyes narrowed.

“Astrid…”

“No.” I mumbled and glared at Jace whose eyes burn holes in mine, “And as for you, stay out of my life. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I’m not a pawn.”

“Oh, sweetheart, you’re much more than a pawn.” He smiled, and I left the house before shutting the door behind me and letting the tears slip from my eyes.

I reached for my car door and my phone buzzed in my pants which made me sigh. I reached for it and my blood ran cold.

It was a notification from my bank. My accounts, my savings, my investment… Everything was frozen, every single one of them and a simple massage sat at the bottom of everything.

“Let’s not make this difficult. - J.L.”

I gripped my phone tightly as realization hit me. I wasn't just trapped. That bastard had the key to my escape, I had nowhere to go.