Chapter 49
Laurel’s POV
Through the floor–to–ceiling windows of the Rose mansion, I tracked Blake’s car as it disappeared into the night. Wrong direction, darting My wait my palms.
dag inn
The delicate clink of china against china announced my mother’s presence before her reflection appeared in the window beside mine. Tea, dear?” My mother, Scarlett Rose’s voice carried concern. ‘Blake’s heading home rather late. The Parker mansion isn’t in that direction, is it?
I accepted the cup. “No. He’s heading to the Lunar Mansion. The words tasted bitter on my tongue. Where he lived with Audrey.”
Scarlett’s carefully manicured brows drew together. “You said she’d moved out?”
“Oh, she has. My lips curved into a cold smile as I watched the last trace of his taillights disappear. “But clearly, I underestimated her… lingering inflorice
What was it about that woman?
“Sweetheart.” Scarlett’s hand found my shoulder, her touch gentle. “They’ve been married for three years after all. These things take time to fade.”
I didn’t bother responding. My mind was already several steps ahead, calculating adjustments to my carefully laid plans. If Blake was still drawn to their old home, perhaps…
“By the way,” Scarlett’s voice interrupted my thoughts, her tone suddenly hesitant. “Martha and I are visiting Rachel tomorrow. It’s been three years, Laurel. Maybe you’d like to…”
The teacup shattered against the floor before I’d even registered throwing it. “So that’s why you waited up. I told you don’t mention her in front of me.”
“Laurel!” Scarlett flinched at my tone. “Rachel Hayes is your sister…”
“Half–sister,” I corrected coldly. “Your daughter with that man is nothing to me. Don’t ever mention that vegetable to me again”
With that, I turned away. “It’s better for everyone if we just… forget she exists.”
“Laurel…” Scarlett’s voice cracked. “You and Rachel were so close once. What happened to you?”
I paused at the doorway but didn’t turn back. “Your little girl is in a hospital bed, Mother. And I? I’m going to be Mrs. Blake Parker. That’s all that matters
now.”
Blake’s POV
I shrugged off my coat at the Lunar Mansion’s entrance, hanging it like usual before striding into the living room. The space felt wrong. Empty.
Audrey used to fill every corner with plants and flowers, transforming the formal space into something alive. Each evening, she’d wait here with dinner ready and that oversized cat of hers, both of them watching the door for my return.
The expensive vases still lined the shelves, but their contents had withered to brittle stems and dried petals. Like everything else in this house, they were just hollow reminders of what was missing.
Out of nowhere, her phone call from earlier nagged at me. That silence before she hung up…
I pulled out my phone, checking our message thread. My last text – “real mature” – sat there unanswered, almost accusatory in its solitude. After a moment’s hesitation, I typed: “About that call earlier. Something wrong?”
Five minutes passed without response. Each second of silence amplified the emptiness of the house around me.
I couldn’t wait any longer, dialing a number. “Michael. Send me Audrey’s current address.”
Thirty minutes later, I found myself staring at a rundown apartment complex that had no business housing my wife. Half the street lights were broken, casting shadows across cracked concrete. The security guard – who had to be pushing seventy – barely looked up from his newspaper as I passed.
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Chapter 49
This was where Audrey had chosen to live? After three years in the Parker family, she’d settled for… this?
You re doing fine without me, she’d said. The memory of her words twisted something in my chest as I took in the buildings facade. This wasnt fine This wasn’t even close to acceptable.
The elevator’s grimy buttons made my jaw clench. Third floor. The hallway stretched before me, fluorescent lights flickering against peeling wallp
‘Audrey. I knocked on her doot, trying to keep the edge from my voice.
Silence.
Something cold settled in my stomach to
harder. “Audrey?”
Just when I was about to call Michael for a key, the door opened. My relief lasted exactly one second – until I registered who stood in the doorway.
Mr. Parker. James Collins leaned against the
a black bag dangling from one hand. “Glad to see you again.”
My eyes narrowed. “James? What on earth are you doing here? Where is Audrey. Let her come out and face me
“She doesn’t want to see you.” James shifted his stance, deliberately blocking any view into the apartment. Mr. Parker, it’s late. Audrey’s resting. Whatever it
is can wait until tomorrow.”
Before I could respond, a familiar “meow” cut through the tension. Snow darted between James’s legs, making a beeline for me. The cat wound around my ankles, rubbing its head against my pants leg with obvious affection.
Strange. I’d never particularly liked this cat before – it shed everywhere and was as clingy as its owner. But now, watching Snow choose me over James, 1 felt an unexpected surge of satisfaction.
I crouched down, scooping the cat into my arms. “This is our cat,” I said, meeting James’s eyes with deliberate emphasis on our.” “Mine and Audrey’s.”
He gave a cold laugh. “Cats can’t tell right from wrong. If Snow knew how you’ve treated Audrey, she wouldn’t be so friendly.”
“Mind your own business.” I straightened, trying to see past him into the apartment. “Audrey! Come out.”
We weren’t even officially divorced yet. Living in this dump was bad enough, but having men over?
James tensed visibly. “I told you, she’s resting!” Before I could push past him, he slammed the door behind him. “Mr. Parker, she’s not your wife anymore. Stop harassing her.”
‘Her cat is still in my arms. She told me she wanted…”
‘She doesn’t want it anymore!” James’s voice cut off me. “She said she’s cutting ties with the past that includes the cat you raised together. Keep it if you
want!”
With that, he headed for the elevator. “Mr. Parker, I’m leaving now. I think you better not to stay here.”
I frowned, knocking one more time. Only silence answered.
‘She’s weak, James said, his voice softening slightly. “She hasn’t been sleeping well. If you really need something, come back tomorrow.”
I rarely let anyone speak to me this way, especially someone of James’s status. Usually, such insolence would have consequences. But all I could focus on was what he’d said about Audrey being weak, not sleeping.
Finally, I lowered my hand. Turning toward the elevator with Snow in my arms, I looked at him. “I’ll leave her alone. You should do the same
James’s laugh held no humor. “You think I’m anything like you?”
We rode down in tense silence. Outside, we headed for our respective cars.
Watching his taillights disappear, I gently scratched behind Snow’s ears. “Let’s go home, little one.”
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Chapter 49
The cat snuggled deeper into my arms with a soft meow. The gesture reminded me painfully of how Audrey used to curl into me, seeking warmth in exactly
the same way.
I looked up at her darkened window. Just hours ago, she’d insisted on taking Snow in the divorce papers. Now she was giving up the cat entirely?
What’s really going on with you, Audrey?
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