Accidental Marriage With Mr Billioniare
Chapter 80: PLAYING HER GAME AGAINST HER

Chapter 80: PLAYING HER GAME AGAINST HER

Julian burst into the room, his eyes scanning the space until they landed on Astrid, surrounded by doctors.

But what caught his attention was the faint red mark around her neck. His face twisted in shock, Julian rushed toward her bed, causing the doctors to recoil in unison.

"What happened to her?" Julian demanded, his voice laced with urgency as his hands gently traced the marks on Astrid’s neck. The doctors exchanged nervous glances.

For the first time, Astrid pulled Julian into a tight embrace, tears clouding her eyes.

"Don’t leave me again," She whispered, her voice trembling as tears trickled down her face.

The doctors, sensing the emotional intensity, decided it was best to exit.

"Well, uh, give you some privacy," one of them stammered.

Julian’s gaze never left Astrid’s face. "I asked a fucking question!" he yelled, noticing the doctors’ retreat.

The doctors halted, their eyes darting between Julian and Astrid. One of them cleared his throat.

"She must have exerted herself during her recovery, causing temporary bruising. It’s nothing serious, just needs a little cleaning."

Julian’s eyes narrowed. "Her neck? What about that?"

The doctors exchanged uneasy glances. One of them forced a smile. "Mr. Julian. We will..."

Astrid tried to raise her head, but Julian’s hands cradled her gently. "Don’t complete your sentence, Astrid. I know you would ask me to let them go."

"It’s not..." Julian’s voice was firm. "Don’t, Astrid." The doctors, sensing dismissal, silently exited the room.

"Julian," Astrid grumbled, this time

Julian smiled, patting her hair before tracing his hand down to her neck.

"They feed on fear, Astrid." he glanced at the doctors and they all ran out of the office.

"But, you can’t just fire anyone because you have the power," she whined.

Astrid’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears as Julian’s gentle touch soothed her.

"I won’t let anyone hurt you again," Julian whispered, his voice fierce.

Astrid’s gaze locked onto Julian’s, her heart overflowing with emotion.

"I can and I will... Astrid your heart’s too pure for you to understand my world," Those words replayed in her head.

Maren had once told her this, "I don’t care to give them back their job... want it because of me, I am letting.."

He pulled her roughly and then ceased immediately noticing how she had winced in pain with the way he pulled her.

"Yeah.... I fired them not for you but because you hold my title, a mistake against you is against me, so that is going to be my judgment.." she put her lips glaring at me.

"I hate you! Miles listens to me, but.." he pulled her closer, "What?" he asked.

"I said I had..." Before she could complete her sentence, he locked his lips with hers, she struggled with him but his grip was tight.

Maren walked inside the room and then a little smile appeared on her face, it was the first time she saw his heart wavering.

She glanced over to see Miles clenching his fist, "Jealous?" she asked and he glared at her.

Then Miles’ authoritative voice cut through. "Enough!" he growled.

Julian immediately released Astrid, his eyes flashing with annoyance as he turned to Miles. "Hold on! I thought you were gone?" Julian asked, irritated.

Maren’s presence caught Astrid’s attention, her eyes widening in surprise. She looked down, embarrassment washing over her.

Maren, sensing the unease, moved outlying away, dropping her basket of fruit on the table.

Miles approached Astrid, his expression softening. "I am so sorry I didn’t visit sooner. I hope you’re recovering well and growing stronger each day."

Astrid’s face lit up with a small smile, touched by Miles’ concern. "Thank you... that means a lot."

Miles’ gaze turned serious. "How are you now?" His tone hinted at lingering anger toward Julian.

Astrid hesitated. "Good... thanks... for helping me." Miles stared at her, wondering how much more pain she would endure at Stephan’s hands.

Julian shifted uncomfortably. "Miles, perhaps..."

Miles interrupted. "Julian and Miles, can you both excuse us? I would like a word with her alone."

Julian’s eyes narrowed. "But..."

Maren chimed in. "It’s between the ladies." The two men exchanged glances and then back to them.

"Are you sure I should leave?" Julian asked Astrid, she nodded and Julian stood from the bed.

"If there is any issue, be sure to call us." They both walk out.

Maren turned to Astrid. "Would you like a cleanup? I brought necessities you might need."

Astrid’s eyes widened in gratitude. "Wo... wow... thanks for thinking of this."

Marrn smiled warmly. "We’re friends; it’s nothing."

Astrid’s voice trembled. "You consider me a friend?" Tears threatened to spill.

Maren’s expression softened. "Of course, dear. Now, let’s get you cleaned up."

***********

FEW DAYS LATER

The car pulled up in front of their mansion. Astrid had finally returned home after a swift recovery and hospital discharge.

Though she is healed, she hasn’t confronted anyone about her neck incident. Whenever Julian brings it up she changes the topic.

Julian is nicer to her now and she hopes he doesn’t change anytime soon.

Julian helped her to sit comfortably in her room, and she thanked him warmly. "What would you like to do now?" he asked.

Astrid hesitated, thinking, "A full cleanup," but couldn’t bring herself to say it. "I can help myself now... thanks for the help." Her appreciation was sincere.

She hardly treats herself when sick, he is the first person to care about her health.

Julian opened his mouth to speak but faltered. "Then I should call some of the girls downstairs to help you," he suggested, but the door creaked open, diverting their attention.

Mattie walked in, and her presence made the faint light in Astrid’s eyes dissipate, she hadn’t seen her for a while and she was satisfied with that.

"Babe, I can help with that if you don’t mind," Mattie offered.

"Why are you here?" Julian’s tone turned icy as he asked and Astrid looked down, frustration etched on her face.

Mattie’s voice trembled as she responded "I am sorry, okay? I just want to apologize for what I did." Her gaze locked onto Astrid.

"What? Why? Me?"Astrid’s surprise was evident as she asked.

Mattie nodded, her eyes welling up. "Yeah..." She fell to her knees, leaving Astrid stunned.

"It’s fine," She let out, she didn’t want to be in trouble with her again.

"You almost lost your life." Julian let out. Mattie struggled to find words, her eyes darting between Julian’s cold gaze and Astrid’s sad expression.

"I was too mad to see you taking my position and man," she added.

Astrid nodded, aware of Mattie’s reasons, though she didn’t agree forgiveness would come easily, she could only accept her apology. A gentle smile masked her true feelings.

"Julian, I have forgiven her. Besides, it wasn’t intentional. She was scared, seeing me on the ground... that’s why she..." Astrid’s voice trailed off.

Mattie’s face lit up with relief. "To prove I want your forgiveness, I can help take care of you."

Astrid’s smile softened. "It’s fine."

Julian’s expression remained skeptical, he breathed out frustrated before he accepted.

"Fine... You can do that, I will excuse you both."

He walked out of the room even though he was so worried. The little smile of Mattie’s eyes dissipated as she walked toward the door to lock it.

Astrid expected this so she wasn’t surprised, but one thing she wouldn’t allow is to allow Mattie to bully her this time.

She knew Mattie had the plan to get her killed, if she continued letting things go, she might finally lose her life.

She is wounded and she is going to use this as an advantage on her.

"You bitch!" Astrid rolled Her eyes and got up from the bed. She wanted to go into the bathroom when Mattie grabbed her hair roughly.

Astrid groaned then she leaned closer to Astrid, "Make a sound and I will make you regret it."

"She pulled her hair and then pulled her back, Astrid fell to the ground groaning.

Then Mattie turned on the heat of the water in the bathtub, "You think you have him now right?" Astrid knew what her next plan was but didn’t bother showing it.

"He is mine and mine only... this time I am determined to make you look ugly, if I can’t end you but I need to teach you a lesson.

When Mattie was sure the water was boiling, and it had gotten to the extent at which it would hurt her.

Astrid’s uneasy feelings intensified as Mattie approached her. "Don’t you want to get cleaned up by me?" Mattie asked, her tone laced with a taunt.

Astrid shook her head, fear etched on her face. But Mattie smirked. "Stand up or I make things hard for you" Astrid hastily complied, tagging along with Mattie.

"Inside the bathtub," Mattie announced, but Astrid hesitated. "It’s boiling," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Mattie’s patience had worn thin. "I said get inside..." Before she could finish, Astrid pushed her into the scalding water. Mattie’s scream echoed through the room.

Astrid rushed to her bedroom door, flinging it open, only to find Julian standing there, concern etched on his face. "What’s wrong?"

Astrid’s hand instinctively moved to her stomach. "She... she..." she stuttered, struggling to breathe. Julian’s worry deepened.

"What’s wrong? Breathe..." he whispered, trying to calm her.

With the hope of manipulating Julian’s little care for her, Astrid continued to feign distress.

"Where is Mattie? What did she do?" Julian demanded.

Then Mattie walked out of the bathroom, tears streaming down her face. "Awe!" she sobbed.

Astrid’s gaze locked onto Mattie’s injured hand and a small burn on her face, and a faint smile flickered on her lips.

"I would make you regret it tonight." Astrid thought as she hit her surgical site.

" Astrid, you’re bleeding," Julism pointed out, his voice shaking as he watched her dress stain.

Astrid hid behind Julian as Mattie approached. "She wants to hurt me," she whispered.

Julian’s annoyance grew. "Babe... my skin... she pushed me into boiling water," Mattie exclaimed, her face red and blistered.

Astrid felt a pang of guilt but justified Mattie’s suffering as payback for her past wrongdoings.

Julian’s reaction sent shivers down Astrid’s spine. "Your face..." he trailed off, his eyes locked onto Mattie’s burns.

"Babe, she... did it... because she’s jealous of me." Mattie played the victim like she always does.

"I... didn’t mean to. It was self-defense." Astrid defended herself.

Julian’s expression turned icy. "Guards!" he yelled.

Astrid’s eyes widened, expecting Julian’s wrath.

"Take her to the hospital," Julian ordered.

Astrid’s breathe out in relief but then was stunned by this:

"Babe... She hurt me. Can’t you take..." Mattie pleaded.

Julian’s tone turned cold. "You must have hurt her first. You seem to have forgotten she’s my wife."

"Julian!" Mattie protested.

"We are on a break! So we have nothing to discuss." Julian cut her off making Astrid eyes almost bulge out of the socket.

"Take her to the hospital now!"