AN: I watched Crazy Rich Asians and grew such a fondness for Astrid that I bought the trilogy and read it just to learn more about her story. I love Astrid and Charlie's relationship so much. I was a little disappointed that their reconciliation was skipped between book 2 and 3, so this is my way of filling in the blanks a bit.

Astrid looked at her phone reluctantly. She stared as it rang. It had been two months since she'd fled her home with Michael to one of her apartment buildings, after he'd threatened her life.

It had taken her some time to really calm down from the traumatic experience. She had never seen such an angry, demonic side to him. Over the past couple years, she'd noticed his growing contempt for her, his glares, the arguments he'd start, but never did she think things would get this bad. He was absolutely frightening. In that moment, she knew the man she'd married was gone.

The whole ordeal was very troubling. She was beside herself for some time. More than anything she wanted to find comfort in Charlie, the man who'd always been there for her, the man that had selflessly bought Michael's company just to keep her happy.

She couldn't reach out to him though. She knew her personal problems would be too much to dump on him. And deep down she knew she wanted to be with him. But he had his own happy, beautiful family to attend to. She would not mess that up. She couldn't even incorporate herself into his life as a friend. Isabel already didn't have the best impression of her. It was best she kept her distance.

Nevertheless, after two months of silence, she picked up the phone.

"Hello?" She said timidly.

"Astrid!" Charlie exclaimed, breathing a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad you picked up. I haven't spoken to you in months. I've been so worried about you. Are you okay?"

He sounded pretty frantic. Astrid sighed. The concern in his voice giving her great comfort. His voice alone gave her comfort. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just been really busy. I…" She sighed. Before she could come up with a good lie, she paused, collected herself and told the real answer. "Actually, no. I'm not okay, Charlie."

She could hear Charlie's breath go short. He knew something was wrong. He was probably anticipating it. Her eyes started to well up. She tearfully continued.

"About two months ago, Michael attacked me. He got an ax off the wall in our house and threatened me with it. In front on Cassian." She was sobbing once she got to the last sentence. The trauma to Cassian hurt her most of all.

"Oh my God," said Charlie, in utter shock. "That's unimaginable. Please tell me you're not hurt."

"No, I'm fine," she tried to say as calmly as possible, but it was hard to keep composure. "I got Cassian, his nanny, and myself out. It was the scariest ordeal of my life, but we made it out."

"This is awful, Astrid," Charlie said. "You've told me some not so great things about him, but I never would have imagined this."

"Me neither," Astrid sobbed. "That was not the guy I married. He's turned into a monster."

Charlie hated hearing Astrid so overcome. "Is Cassian okay?" he asked, full of concern. The poor kid.

Astrid took a moment to dry her tears. "He's okay. He was very confused for awhile, but I let him know it's okay and he won't have to see Daddy again any time soon."

"Where are you guys staying?" Charlie prayed that Astrid would say anywhere but still in that house. It was clearly not safe for her or Cassian to be there anymore.

"For a few days we stayed with my parents. Once one of my properties got equipped and fully furnished, Cassian and I moved in there."

Charlie nodded, even though Astrid couldn't possibly see it through the phone. He was more than relieved to hear she had got out. Then a realization set in. "Wait, did you say this happened two months ago? Why didn't you tell me? You've been avoiding me."

Astrid knew that was true. She had been avoiding him. She'd probably gotten a hundred calls from Charlie over the past two months. Not to mention countless texts and emails. "I just…I didn't want to burden you." That was partially the reason at least.

"Burden me?" Charlie asked. "Astrid, you're one of my oldest and dearest friends. You could never burden me."

Astrid swallowed at the reference to her being his friend. They'd been so much more than that. How much she wished they could get back to that place. Part of her felt deep down he had the same wish she had. But it was a selfish wish. One she had to keep buried down.

"I know," she sighed. "It's just been a lot. I almost didn't answer today either, but it really hasn't been fair of me to shut you out. You are a dear friend."

Astrid almost thought she heard a gulp from Charlie at the end of her last sentence, but surely she was imagining it.

"I'll come down this weekend to see you," Charlie offered. "Text me your address." There was no way he wouldn't drop everything. He'd fly down this very second to make sure she was okay.

"No, please don't," Astrid protested. She wanted to see him, but really didn't want to complicate anything in his life. "This is part of why I didn't want to tell you. I don't want you to drop your life for me."

"I have to see you," Charlie insisted. Astrid's heart fluttered. "Please. I won't be able to sleep at night until I can see for myself that you're okay."

Astrid was lost for words. Even after all this time, even after she'd trampled on his heart all those years ago, he still cared so much for her. He made it so hard not to love him. She considered his request for only a moment.

"Okay, I'll text you the address. But don't fret. I'm fine. I promise."

Astrid got off the phone and texted Charlie the address straight away. She couldn't help the butterflies from fluttering in her stomach. She knew Charlie still cared for her so much. Maybe even still loved her. But she wouldn't let her mind go there just yet. She rolled over in her bed and started mentally counting down the seconds until the weekend.

AN: Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for chapter 2.