Unwavering Defiance

As her friends arrived to say goodbye, Astra briefly glanced at her phone, her demeanor seemingly distant.

They attempted to apologize, but Astra remained unmoved. Amidst them, Alexander spoke up, "Hey Astra, we want to apologize. We weren't fully aware of the situation."

Astra lifted her gaze and addressed them, "We've been friends for eighteen years, yet you all chose to side with someone you hardly know, without even seeking my side of the story."

One of the girls began to speak, but Astra cut her off, saying, "You dared to send hurtful texts to me every day, threatening that unless I apologized to Violet and she accepted it, you'd ruin my friendships and make me pay."

Silas, who stood on the side waiting to say goodbye alongside Violet, Sophia, and the twins, frowned.

Astra's words carried a weighty air as she continued, "The fact that all of you believed Violet's lies without searching for the truth reveals that our friendship was never genuine. You grew accustomed to me always obeying your wishes, and now you assume superiority."

Alexander tried to explain, "None of us feel that way. It was a mistake."

Astra sneered and said with disdain, "No, The mistake is you five assuming we're all equals. Do you even grasp that I'm an Orion and an Archibald? Both sides of my family played a significant role in founding Veridion-9. None of you were even on the radar before I extended my support to you. Without me helping to build an online presence by tagging you on Stellarnet or being seen with me in those paparazzi shots, you would've amounted to nothing."

Her friends looked at Astra, taken aback by her newfound assertiveness. Her words carried an unexpected weight, catching them off guard. Astra, who had always followed their orders, now stood her ground.

Alexander attempted to ease the tension, "Astra, we understand you're angry, but we all make mistakes."

Astra locked eyes with them and cautioned, "If any of you even consider sending more of those texts, I won't just retaliate, but I'll also take actions that will significantly impact your family's business."

Everyone stared at Astra in disbelief, taken aback by her unwavering seriousness and threat. Astra offered a faint smile and delivered her words, "If you ever think about showing your faces around me again, be ready to see just how far my wrath can go."

The four of them swiftly made their exit, leaving Astra to observe their departure with a mixture of disdain and satisfaction.

Amidst this scene, Alexander fixed his gaze on her, his mind grappling to comprehend the transformation in Astra.

Astra's eyes met his, and her tone turned icy as she uttered, "Your presence is no longer required."

Alexander persisted, "I thought perhaps we could have a conversation."

Her response was curt, "Not really in the mood."

Trying a different angle, Alexander suggested, "How about we plan for dinner tomorrow?"

Astra's arrogance wasn't limited to just one display; Alexander couldn't help but notice her newfound connection with Cole. She had even danced with him boldly, right in front of everyone.

With their impending wedding only weeks away, Alexander's concern grew over Astra's impulsive actions potentially jeopardizing their crucial merger. The thought of his father's wrath if the deal fell through, was daunting.

Confident that Astra's defiance was a mere facade, Alexander believed she would return to her compliant self when alone with him. He attributed her recent actions with Cole to a ploy for his jealousy.

However, he found the situation ludicrous, given that his heart was solely reserved for Violet, despite his current annoyance at her deception about the necklace.

He understood the importance of repairing his relationship with Astra until she calmed down and reverted to her previous self.

Astra's words broke the silence, her tone blunt, "I've got a date."

Alexander was caught off guard, questioning, "What?"

"A date. So, it's probably best if you head out," Astra responded.

Alexander persisted, his tone incredulous, "Who on earth are you going on a date with? Last time I checked, I'm the one you're engaged to."

Violet and Sophia were left speechless by this new Astra. They exchanged glances, expecting Silas to intervene, but he remained silent.

Leaning in, Sophia whispered to Silas, "You should really have a conversation with Astra. What she's doing to her fiancé is just not right."

Astra turned to Alexander and questioned, "Why do you even care about who I'm dating?"

Alexander was so taken aback that he stared at her in astonishment. Astra was his fucking fiancée – it was only natural for him to be concerned about her dating choices.

Finally finding his voice, Alexander responded, "Astra, we're engaged, and our wedding is just a few weeks away. It definitely matters to me if you're seeing someone else."

Astra retorted, "Don't fret; I'm not involved with another man."

Upon hearing that, Alexander visibly relaxed. He inquired, "So, you're going out with Zoe?"

Astra clarified, "No, what I meant was that I'm not just dating one man; I'm seeing multiple men."

Alexander's eyes widened in disbelief, prompting a mischievous smile from Astra as she gestured to her guards. They escorted the stunned Alexander out.

The audacity of him claiming their engagement while having an affair with her step-sister was quite amusing.

As they approached Astra, Violet, and Sophia looked at Silas, anticipating his response. Astra had confessed to cheating on Alexander; surely, Silas had something to say.

Silas kept a bit of distance, ensuring Astra wouldn't simply walk away. Violet's smile warmed as she addressed Astra, "I'm grateful that we had a chance to talk and that you found it in your heart to forgive me."

Astra acknowledged, "I feel the same way, but remember what I told you. If you spread more falsehoods, my forgiveness won't come as easily next time."

Violet solemnly assured, "I understand."

Astra nodded, reciprocating the hug when Violet embraced her. The twins observed Astra's genuine smile and found it oddly heartening.

Glancing at Astra, Silas couldn't shake off his unease as he noticed her genuine excitement over reconciling with Violet.

She stepped back, a smile lighting up her face as she regarded Violet. Sophia spoke up, "Astra, I hope we can start anew and build a better relationship."

Astra retorted, "You called me names, said I'm a burden, and that life would be perfect without me because I'm useless. You even had the audacity to claim that no one gives a damn about me."

Silas frowned and turned his gaze to Sophia, his expression one of shock. "You said what?"

Sophia tried to speak, but no words came out. It was clear that she had indeed made those hurtful statements.

Angrily, Silas demanded, "Why would you say such things to my daughter?"

Violet looked at her mother and then addressed Silas, "I'm sorry; it's my fault. Mother thought I was hurt and panicked. She didn't mean any of it, stepfather."

Sophia reached for Silas' hand, pleading, "I truly didn't mean it, honey. I was just so angry, and those terrible words slipped out. I promise it won't happen again. Please forgive me."

Silas gazed at her, his expression conflicted. Astra interjected, "Seems like things haven't changed much. You still believe that all you need to do is apologize to Silas and make amends between you, as if my feelings and thoughts don't count, right? A normal person would apologize to the person they hurt, but you both apologized to Silas. Not that I blame you; we all know Silas has made it clear that disrespecting and mistreating me is acceptable, just as you've been doing ever since you moved into the home that used to be my sanctuary."

Sophia glanced at Astra and then turned to Silas. Astra grabbed her cell phone and stated before walking away, "You can show yourselves out."

Silas watched her depart, realizing that this situation was even more challenging than he had anticipated. He glared at Sophia and then stormed off, his anger evident.