Astrid's POV

Logan's eyes seemed to widen at my words, but he quickly hid his reaction and gave a stoic expression.

“You fucking won't dare to ask for that,” he said, but I stood up to him.

“I do; I'm asking for it now, Logan…I want a divorce,” I insisted, but he just laughed and grabbed my wrist. He held my wrist so tightly that I felt it was going to pull out from its joint.

“Stop this, you're hurting me.”

“You dare ask me for a divorce, you swine?! I married you out of pity!”

“And that's why we should end it; you'll be a father soon, so let me go.” I kept trying to free myself until the door to Logan's office opened and someone walked in.

“Let her go, Logan…” the all-too-familiar voice said… Wait! The guy from the coffee shop?!

“Who are you to butt into my business?” Logan asked, but the guy pushed Logan away like he was some pushable chair.

“Let's go…” He took my hand and pulled me out of the office. As soon as we got to the hallway, I quickly pulled away from his grip. He cleared his throat and apologized.

“It's ok…thanks for the save. By the way, how come you're always there when I need help?” He seemed to blink uncomfortably for a few minutes before looking away from me.

“Wait, young man, are you stalking me?” He sharply turned to me and shook his head vehemently.

“No, I'm not stalking you, I'll never do that…it's just that I happen to be around every time you're in trouble, let's just call it a coincidence.” I nodded at his words and was about to walk away when he suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“What?”

“Don't you think I should at least get your name?” I looked at him from head to toe; he seemed to get the message and quickly moved backward, letting my hand go. I exhaled and said,

“I'm Astrid…”

“Ohh, a lovely name. I'm Archer…erm, can I get to talk with you some other time?” I wanted to ask why, but then, he's saved me twice, so talking to him at least won't be a problem, right?

“Fine…” I gave him my card and walked away.

***

I drove to my father's house, I needed to see him. My father has always been my support system since my mother left us, and he also knows everything about me and Logan.

“Good morning, ma'am…” the maid greeted me on seeing me.

“Yes, where's my father?”

“He's in his study…” I nodded and went upstairs to my dad's study. On reaching there, I saw him reading a book, but he lifted his head when he noticed another presence in the room.

“Astrid…” he called, and I rushed to hug him.

“How have you been?”

I smiled at him, he looked really worried as he and I exchanged pleasantries. He must have noticed my mood wasn't the brightest that day.

“You don't look good, princess. Is anything bothering you?”

“It's Logan, Dad…”

I narrated everything to him, and by the time I was done, my dad was already crying…thank goodness I excluded the part where Logan's mother treated me badly, he'd have been really sad if he heard that.

“Dad, please stop crying; I've decided to divorce him…I'll talk to my lawyer about that today.”

“Astrid, I'm so sorry. You got into this mess because of me, I'm such a useless father…” he cried, and my heart sank.

“No…no, Dad, it's not your fault; I also loved him, so you're not to blame…please stop blaming yourself, Dad. You've been nothing but the best dad since I was born, and Logan won't make me change my perspective of you.”

***

I alighted from my car as I got to the mansion. My eyes wandered around the place, and I noticed Logan was back from work already…

“Shit!” I came back from my father's place as early as I could because I didn't want to meet him when I got back, but now…

I walked into the empty living room, and I wondered where Logan's mother would be because she was always in the living room whenever I came back from work… Anyway, thank goodness I didn't see her. Otherwise, it'll be another round of insults and abuse.

“Where are you coming from?”

“Oh my God!” I flinched in shock. I just entered my room, and there was Logan seated on the bed. I was surprised at first because since we got married, he'd never neared the door to my room, not to talk of entering, but here he was…

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I took slow strides to my dressing table.

“This is my house, I have every right to be anywhere at any time…”

“Okay…” I slowly took off my earrings as I fought hard not to look at him. I'd made up my mind to leave him, and I must do so for the sake of my sanity. Looking at him right now would make my heart pound, and I might end up doing something stupid.

“Okay? This is the first time I'm entering your room, Astrid. Aren't you going to say something?”

“Like you said, this is your house…” I walked to the wardrobe and pulled out my box, and I started folding my clothes in it.

“What are you doing?” He asked suddenly as he took fast steps toward me.

“I'm packing, I'll have my lawyer send you the divorce papers…”

“You must be joking!” He whisper-yelled, but I didn't mind him.

“Look, I'm not signing that thing, ok!”

“You have to, else we meet in court; maybe it'll be settled there…”

“Astrid, you won't dare…”

My phone rang at that moment; it was my lawyer. I purposely put the phone on a loudspeaker so he could hear everything.

“Hello, Mrs. Ken…”

“Mrs. Astrid, I've been able to process the divorce files, and I wanted to inform you about it.”

“Oh, that's great; please send it to Logan's mansion first thing tomorrow morning; he'll sign it and…”

Before I could finish my statement, Logan snatched the phone from my ears, his face was red, and his eyes were throwing daggers at me.

“Don't you dare come close to my house, and you see those papers? Do well to burn them or, better still, put them in a shredding machine; I'm not getting divorced!” He said to the phone before disconnecting the call.

“Ah…Logan, what's the meaning of this?”

“You're my wife, and there's nothing you or anyone can do about that!”

“Your wife?!” I laughed sarcastically, and he just looked at me in confusion. He must be really surprised at my actions…this is the first time since our marriage I'm talking back at him.

“Logan, I am not your wife; I'm just a contract wife…our marriage is for convenience, remember?” He rolled his eyes.

“I know you're angry because of what I said at the office, but it's not entirely my fault…”

“Then it's my fault! Yes, it's my fault I tried to love you all these years; it's my fault I kept hoping you'd someday stand up to me whenever your mother bullies me; it's my fault I always wished you'd forget about Anastasia one day and love me back…No! Everything was doomed right from the day I signed that contract paper, Logan!”

I let out my tears as I looked at him. This was the first time I was speaking my mind since we got married, and somehow, I felt renewed, I felt like I could take on the world and exploit it as my mind was finally free.

“Logan, I would not sit back here and let your family ridicule me any longer; I won't sit back here and watch you and your girlfriend walk over my head…I'm done!” I zipped my box.

“Astrid, why are you being like this? Is it because of Archer? Is Archer making you do this?” He asked, and I looked at him. Did he know Archer before now?

“Archer? Well… Nothing is going on between us, but at least he's more of a man than you are!” I carried my box and was about to leave the room, but he pulled me back by my wrist, and almost immediately, a piece of paper fell from my overcoat, which I was holding in my arm.

“What's this?” Logan bent down to pick up the paper, and that was when I realized.

‘My pregnancy test result!’