Chapter 33
Audrey’s POV
Hearing his shaking voice, I knew something in my expression must have given me away,
The question hung in the air between us. I could see his knuckles turning white against the dark leather of the steering wheel.
Yes. The word came out steadier than I expected.
James pulled the car over so suddenly that I had to brace myself against the dashboard. When I looked at him, his face had gone pale.
“How can it be so soon… His voice cracked slightly. “No wonder you said you didn’t want to discuss relationships. I never thought you were… God, Audrey…
I gave a gentle smile. “Don’t worry, Mayo Clinic has this experimental drug for my cancer. Dr. Evans managed to get me five doses – that’s one complete course. I’ve already used the first one.”
“And if it works well, I might get some extra time.” I tried to keep my voice light. “But I’m not counting on miracles. That’s why I need these designs on the market within three months, James. Can you help me with that?”
He was quiet for a long moment, staring straight ahead through the windshield. Finally, he turned to me, his expression resolute: We’ll make it happen, Audrey. Whatever it takes.”
The city traffic moved around us in streams of yellow cabs and delivery trucks, life continuing its relentless pace. Just like it would after I was gone.
Thirty minutes later, standing outside Astrid’s modeling agency, I watched Dr. Evans’s name light up my phone screen. A week ago, she’d called me with a rare glimmer of hope – Mayo Clinic’s most aggressive case of gastric cancer, she’d said, but also their first candidate for an experimental new drug. The memory of racing back from the designer gala that night, catching a red–eye flight just to sign those trial papers, still felt surreal.
I remembered Dr. Evans’s face as I signed the consent forms, her quiet confidence when she assured me the hospital board had unanimously approved my participation. “As long as you can handle the cost,” she’d said, “the treatment path is yours.” Funny how quickly things change in the world of experimental medicine.
“Mrs. Sinclair.” The hesitation in her voice was new, uncomfortable. “There’s… a situation with the trial medication.”
“What kind of situation?” I kept my voice steady, though my fingers tightened around the phone.
“Another patient… their boyfriend saw the press release about our experimental drug program.” She paused, clearly choosing her words carefully. “Their case is less advanced than yours, but they have… significant resources. They’re offering to purchase your remaining doses. Any price.”
The late afternoon sun suddenly felt like a spotlight, harsh and exposing. I moved into the shadow of the building, my laugh sharp and brittle. “Let me get this straight. I’ve had exactly one dose, and someone’s already trying to buy me out of the trial?”
“Audrey, please understand. The sample size is still extremely limited. We can’t even be certain of the drug’s efficacy yet…”
‘So I should just step aside for someone with a bigger checkbook?” The elevator doors opened with a soft ding as I stabbed the button. “Not happening, Dr.
Evans.”
“The administration feels…”
“The administration is breathing down your neck, aren’t they?” The edge in my voice could have cut glass. “That’s why you’re making this call.”
Her silence was answer enough.
“Tell them this,” I said, watching the floor numbers tick upward. “Whatever price they’re offering, I’ll match it. I’ll exceed it. And if Mayo Clinic tries to redistribute these drugs?” My voice dropped. I’ll make sure every newspaper in New York knows how they rank patients by their bank accounts instead of
their survival chances.
I heard her sharp intake of breath. “I’ll… relay your position to the board.”
1/2
Chapter 33
‘One more thing. The elevator opened onto Astrid’s floor. It they’re se eager to buy three months of someone alte & lits, tell them in com pegate wird me directly. I’d love to meet someone that desperate… or that cold.”
Ending the call, I watched my hand tremble slightly as I lowered the phone. This was about survival. And 14 be damned if I’d let anyone they sey bust these months out from under me.
Before I could make a move, Astrid’s voice had already come over. “No, no, NO! Your walk it all wrong. This isn’t a nighteluh rameast
I found her surrounded by a group of young models, all looking appropriately chastised. The scene brought back memories of our own first meeting, back when we were all so young, so full of dreams.
“Andrey, you’ll love Astrid!” Rachel’s voice had been full of excitement that day. “She’s so straightforward and generous!
“Let’s start a jewelry company together! The three of us had been inseparable back then. “I’ll handle operations, Audrey designs, Astrid models. We’ll take None York by storm!
“Great!” I’d been so confident at nineteen. ‘I’ll lead us all to success!”
Astrid had laughed, her eyes sparkling. “Though I believe in our bright future too… by the way, Rachel, can you play with me more? Be as close to me as you are to Audrey. You even regard her as your elder sister. You can’t be so biased…”
All right, all right. I will. Besides, Audrey has done so many things for me. It’s only natural that I see her as my elder sister. Rachel had protested.
The memory faded as I watched Astrid dismiss her students with a final critique.
Seeing her figure, I felt quite complicated. The universe had a twisted sense of humor about those plans.
Four years ago, Rachel’s accident shattered our little trinity. Her family finally decided to seek treatment abroad, and the golden trío became the surviving duo – Astrid and me, clinging to each other like survivors of a shipwreck.
And now here I was, delivering one final blow to our dreams. The thought of Astrid alone in this glittering, cutthroat world made my chest ache more than any tumor could.
“These newcomers,” she sighed, dropping into her office chair. “They care more about Instagram followers than actual skill. They think good looks are enough – they don’t understand modeling requires experience, dedication.”
I settled into the chair across from her desk, pulling out the divorce papers. “Some lessons can only be learned with time.”
“Speaking of lessons…” Her eyes fixed on the papers in my hands. “How are those coming along?”
‘All done.” I signed the last copy. “Can you have these delivered to Blake today?”
She was already reaching for her phone. “Consider it handled. Now…” A mischievous smile played at her lips. “Ready for something fun?”
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