"Where are you going, Julian?" Mattie ran toward them, giving Astrid the stink eye.
The little confidence Astrid built up disappeared instantly, "I don't think she is feeling too well so we will leave," he explained, shooting glances at Astrid.
Mattie's hands folded against her chest as she scoffed. "So? She isn't your responsibility, why don't you get it?"
"Mattie, we are at a party…" Julian cautioned her, "You hate being told what to do Julian."
"Mat…"
"Julian, if you lower your standards to her level, you will regret it."
Julian felt the impact of her words, "What is going on with him? She has no right to control him."
He took in a deep breath now glancing at her, "You aren't beginning to catch feelings because you are my wife right?"
She shook her head at this, "I just don't feel right… I am sorry for the disturbance." she apologized immediately even though she was hurt by his words.
"Really?" Mattie came forward, "More like you were having a nice time with my man,"
Astrid lowered her head not wanting to say words that she would regret.
They were still in the middle of a conversation when some guests ran out, and before he could understand some press also arrived.
Mattie smirked at this as her gaze met with that of Astrid.
"The fuck! Why is the press here?" Julian asked and Mattie ran into his arms.
"You just need to be calm and follow my lead." Mattie gestured for him but he snatched his hands off.
"I am not talking to them, let me go," he grumbled, finding his way to his car, but stopped on his track hearing the question thrown at him.
"Mrs. Astrid Logan… are the pictures circulating true? Are you truly cheating on Mr Logan?"
Astrid felt her heart thumping in shock at this, Julian was about to ask what they meant, when a message from his dad popped on his phone.
"Julian dear… what is the meaning of the picture circulating?" Julian was too stunned.
"What pictures?" he asked, still confused.
Immediately his dad sent him the pictures and he felt his heart crumbling.
He has never felt this way before, he hasn't even accepted his love for her, and all of a sudden she is spending time with another man.
Not just anyone but one of his greatest rivals. He glanced at Astrid way, furious. There was no way his company was getting ruined because of this.
A scandal from a partner can cause a great loss, he pulled Astrid into the car.
"Hey Julian.. What is that?." He pushed Mattie away before she could complete her sentence.
Sliding into his car and drove out of the premises. Astrid is oblivious to everything happening.
Only needed to use her seat belt, but Julilain's speed was no match.
"Ju… Julian, you are.." a screeching sound followed and Astrid almost felt her heart jump off her chest.
"Jul.."
"What the fuck are you doing woman!" Astrid felt a sharp pain in her heart hearing him call her that way.
"Wh.. What do you mean??"
"Rowan? How did you link up in the party?"
"Rowan? I don't know what you are talking about," she whispered and he scoffed.
"You… Don't know!" he wanted to say something when his eyes caught a red dot on her neck.
He raised his hands wanting to check, but then she flinched, surprising him.
"I am sorry, I do not know who you are talking about?"
"You have a hickey on your neck," Her eyes widened and her hands went straight to the place it was.
Julian took a deep breath trying to control his anger, "I look stupid to you right?" Astrid shook her head. Then he handed his phone to her.
"Take the fucking phone!" he yelled, making her jerk in fear, with trembling hands she collected it.
There she saw a picture of herself and the man. He was the one who had appeared when cleaning her dress. This was exactly when Rowan had groped her against the door, trying to force himself on her.
But one wouldn't get it, since it shows a pic of a man and a woman having a wonderful time.
"Do you know him?" Astrid's reaction to seeing the picture confirmed Julian's doubt.
"So you met him at the party and hooked up immediately?"
Astrid looked up at him, "I promise it's not what you think, I have my.."
"Just shut the fuck up! You irritate me! Was he the reason you had gotten married to me?"
Astride shook her head almost immediately, "No… I promise I don't even know him.."
"And he fucking kissed you?"
"No... Yes… I have.." but his next word made her freeze
"Get out!"
"Wh.. What?" she asked out of shock. "You know the millions you are about to make me lose because of your stupidity?"
"I am sorry I promise it wasn't my intention, please it's cold don't leave me out here." she pleaded.
"Get the fucking out of my car!" Astrid was startled at his outburst. She had only seen him this way when he was furious at the wedding ceremony.
"Please you can ask me to sleep outside the mansion but not this place,"
"I am stranded please," she added but the glare she had gotten from him shut her up.
Having no choice she alighted from the car, the cold welcoming her.
As she shut the door, he drove off, not looking back. She was stranded with no phone, no cash in her wallet, or even didn't know the directions back to his mansion.
She didn't even know what to do in this situation. She didn't want to come to the party but was forced to and now she doesn't know how to cope.
"I hate you, Stephan! I hate you Mattie!" she screamed to the top of her voice.
Frustrated she just needed to squat down there, she couldn't tell how many minutes. Until she recalled It wasn't safe out here, the road was getting empty, and the least he could do was find somewhere to sleep.
Strutting down the road for hours, a little drizzling began, she seemed so lost, tired, and weak.
He should have sent his guard to come get her, How could he be this heartless knowing she knows nowhere in the town?
Her body was giving up, but she kept pushing harder hoping to see a house nearby where she could stay.
Her body no longer taking it, she fell to the ground, eyes drifting away.
Then she noticed a car light turned on her face, and then a tall figure appeared before her
"He is back…" she whispered with a smile.
She managed to look up but couldn't see the face of the person standing before her, her eyes were heavy this time around and she just gave up.