Chapter 37

“Or what? Will you slap me again? Who are you to ruin my plans?” Astrid's voice dripped with anger as she confronted me.

“I hope you cheated on someone else and not Ryder. I know you’ve been selfish since we were kids, but what happened and made you worse, Astrid?” I questioned, trying to understand her motives.

Astrid's eyes flashed with rage, and in a moment of unchecked emotion, she pushed me away. The realization of what she had done washed over her as my body tumbled down the stairs. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as I hit the floor below.

My hands shook uncontrollably as I reached out for the railing to steady myself. Ryder's voice thundered through the air, and I braced myself for his wrath. Desperate, I muttered Xavier’s name, hoping he would come to my aid.

Fear gripped me as I worried about how Ryder would react to Astrid's reckless act. Would he punish her severely? But to my relief, Ryder focused on the immediate crisis, calling for an ambulance t