Chapter 42
Audrey’s POV
“Mrs. Parker? She’s Sinclair! Audrey Sinclair! Astrid shot up from her chair with a scoff “Blake Parker and Lauret dose are in this hospital crim arény a flanche
She moved toward Michael, protective anger radiating from her every movement. Audrey’s injured. Whatever they have to kay can go through mat.
“Miss Wilson, Michael positioned himself carefully in the doorway, his normally composed expression showing a hint of train. Please rulerstand that wouldn’t be appropriate. Ile shifted his attention to me, his voice softening slightly Mrs. Parker, Mr. Parker requests your pretence. He mighty that if w want the divorce proceedings to move forward smoothly…“.
The implied threat hung heavy in the ait, unspoken but clear. I stared at my hands for a moment, feeling the familiar throb at my temples intensify of course he would use the divorce as leverage it was so perfectly, predictably Blake.
I gave a bitter smile as I tried to push myself up from the bed.
“Here, let me help.” Felix was at my side before I could process his movement, one hand extended in support.
I leaned away from his offered assistance, managing what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “Thanks, I can manage.”
“I could come with you,” he offered, dropping his hand but hovering uncertainly.
“That’s not necessary. I kept my voice gentle but firm. ‘I can’t let Blake hold a grudge against the Thompson family.
The flash of frustration across his features told me he wanted to argue, but years of social training kept him silent. In any other circumstance, his chivalrous instincts might have been endearing.
Astrid wasn’t so easily deterred. She was at my side in an instant, her presence both comforting and concerning. “I’m coming with you.”
“No.” I carefully extracted myself from her protective stance. “Wait here.”
“Audrey-”
“Please.” I cut off her protest with a look we both understood. Her quick temper combined with Blake’s arrogance and Laurel’s manipulations would be explosive. The last thing I needed was a scene in the hospital corridors.
She pressed her lips together, clearly unhappy but understanding. Fine. But keep your phone close. One call – that’s all it’ll take, and I’ll be there.”
Her fierce loyalty almost made me smile. Almost.
I turned to Michael, straightening my spine despite the protest from my injuries. “Lead the way, Mr. Chen.”
The journey to the VIP floor felt endless. Michael maintained a respectful silence as we navigated the hospital’s maze of corridors and elevators. Other patients and staff came and went, each floor we passed marking another step up the hospital’s unspoken hierarchy.
‘Mrs. Parker, Michael finally ventured as we approached yet another elevator. “You sure you’re alright?”
“I’m fine.” The lie came easily after three years of marriage to Blake. Always fine, always composed, always the perfect Mrs. Parker – even when my world was crumbling around me.
“And Miss Rose?” I couldn’t help asking. “Is she injured?”
Michael’s slight hesitation spoke volumes. “Misy Rose is… it’s complicated.”
We were still several feet from the suite when Laurel’s voice drifted through the partially open door, perfectly modulated for maximum dramatic effec
“Blake darling, what if I don’t make it?” Her voice quavered with precisely calculated fear. “When I was on the track, I actually thought about writing my will!”
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Chapter 42
Don’t talk like that ” Blaker restsinne was gentle, filled with the tenternes he’d news shown me. Tout bon à lone venite pos
“But we need to do everything we want to de, right away!” Laurel’s voice rose and fall in perfect theatrical rhoilum. Premien ing girll be feet.
Hearing her words, I just felt incredibly disgusted. Even I could see through her calculated performance, yet Blake, who prided limit en teking trung things, was completely taken in.
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