Chapter 103
Audrey’s POV
The cold laugh that escaped my lips wouldn’t stop. This whole situation was just too absurd! My mind flashed back to the message Ethan Davies had sent me just minutes ago:
“Found something. The online attacks? Coming from ‘Parker–Rose Studio. Got confirmation from someone in their troll farm.
Parker–Rose Studio. The name said it all. A joint venture between Blake and Laurel, created to serve their interests. So the vicious rumors claiming I’d cheated on Blake and terminated a pregnancy that wasn’t his–all of it came directly from them.
I leaned against the wall outside William’s emergency room, the fluorescent lights casting lights on us. Blake stood a few feet away, pretending to look concerned about the very online gossip he’d orchestrated.
When he caught me watching him, he lowered his voice. “The day you miscarried… besides the hospital staff, did anyone else know about it?”
The audacity nearly took my breath away.
“Why do you ask?” I kept my voice even.
“I’ve been investigating,” he said. “Mayo Clinic has strict privacy protocols. That surgical record shouldn’t have leaked from
inside.”
He leaned closer. “Tell me who knew about the miscarriage. I’ll help track down whoever’s spreading these rumors.”
I studied his face, searching for any hint of the man I thought I’d married. Nothing.
Had this calculating side always been there, hiding beneath the surface? I’d never caught it before.
The studio name might have told everything, yet here he stood, playing concerned husband. I wondered who his audience was supposed to be.
Blake’s expression darkened at my silence, his brow furrowing with irritation. “What are you staring at? Say something!”
“You asked who knew about my miscarriage that day, besides hospital staff,” I finally said.
He nodded impatiently.
“Okay, I tell you. Only you, Mr. Parker, and your Miss Rose.”
His composure slipped for just a second.
“So are you offering to investigate yourself, or Miss Rose?” I asked.
“Audrey, I’m not joking!” His voice hardened.
“Neither am I,” I replied. “I didn’t tell anyone about the miscarriage. Not even Astrid knew until that evening. The only people I saw at the hospital were you and Laurel.”
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I tilted my head slightly. “Since you’re so sure. It wasn’t hospital staff, that leaves just you two. So who goes first in your investigation?”
The mask he always wore finally cracked. He stared at me, face paling before anger flooded in. He turned away charry.
‘You’re completely out of your mind!” he snapped.
The hallway fell silent.
I glanced sideways and noticed Felix Thompson staring at us with undisguised shock. When our eyes met, I noticed something else in his expression–a glimmer of admiration.
I smiled slightly. This was probably the first time he’d seen anyone make Blake Parker speechless. Everyone in New York’s social circles thought of me as Blake’s doormat–the woman who forgave everything because she loved him too much. The woman who would always choose peace over conflict, forgiveness over justice.
At that moment, the emergency room doors swung open. A doctor emerged, wiping sweat from his forehead.
“Doctor, how is he?” We all asked together.
The doctor sighed, tucking his handkerchief this kind of stress.”
“Way. “He’s stable now. But be careful with him. A man his age can’t handle
Relief washed through me. William would be okay.
The elevator doors opened with a soft ping, and Thalia Parker rushed out, face flushed.
“How’s my grandfather?” she demanded.
The doctor frowned at her volume. “Miss, you—ˆ
Thalia’s gaze found me, and her expression transformed/instantly.
“Audrey Sinclair! You bitch!” She lunged at me, hand raised.
I stepped back, but knew I couldn’t move fast enough. My body, weakened from cancer and still bruised from my fall down the stairs, wouldn’t respond quickly enough.
Before Thalia could reach me, Blake grabbed her wrist mid–air. At the same moment, Felix stepped between us.
“Thalia! What are you doing?” Blake’s voice was sharp.
“Miss Parker, show some respect,” Felix added firmly.
Thalia’s eyes darted to Felix, hurt flashing across her face. “Felix? How can you take her side? I cared about you so much!
Felix’s expression remained unmoved. Your past feelings for me aren’t relevant, Miss Parker.”
Rage flooded Thalia’s face. She jerked violently against Blake’s grip, trying to break free. “I’ll kill her! I saw everything online! She didn’t miscarry by accident–she terminated because the baby wasn’t yours!”
Her eyes blazed at Blake. “Aren’t you angry? She cheated on you!”
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“She didn’t!” Blake cut her off. “Everything online is just rumors. The baby was mine!”
His words hung in the air, surprising everyone. I stared at his back, genuinely confused. After creating a studio specifically to spread lies about me, why contradict his own narrative?
Thalia’s mouth opened and closed. “Blake, you’re still defending her? If she was carrying your child, why terminate it?
Her voice echoed down the corridor. “Everyone knows she loves you enough to have no self–respect. If she could have your baby, she’d be happier than anyone–why would she get rid of it?”
I felt heat rising in my face. She had no idea about the complications, about how the pregnancy was already failing when I discovered it. About how I’d been alone in that hospital room while Blake was out with Laurel.
“You cheated on him,” Thalia continued, glaring at me. “I’ll find the best lawyers in New York to make sure you leave the Parker family with nothing!”
I was about to respond when commotion erupted from the emergency room.
“Mr. Parker! Quick, oxygen!” A nurse called urgently.
“William!” I moved toward the doors but the doctor blocked my path.
“Please wait,” he said, rushing back inside.
We stood frozen, the argument forgotten as we listened to the flurry of activity within. Finally, the doctor reappeared.
“You can come in now, but stay calm,” he instructed firmly. “No raised voices.”
Blake turned to Thalia. “If anything happens to grandfather because of your outburst, I’ll cut off your allowance.”
Thalia rubbed her wrist, scowling. “If anything happens to grandfather, it’s because of her, not me.”
Inside, William lay with an oxygen mask covering his face, monitors beeping steadily beside him. Despite his age, he’d always seemed indestructible to me. Seeing him vulnerable against the white sheets was jarring.
I rushed to his side and took his hand. “William, it’s me, Audrey. I’m here.”
His eyes opened slowly, finding mine with surprising clarity. He squeezed my hand, his other hand lifting shakily toward my face.
“Audrey,” he said, voice raspy through the mask, “marrying into our Parker family… I’m so sorry. The way they’ve treated you is shameful.”
The unexpected words caught me off guard. Of everything he could have said after regaining consciousness, this was the last thing I expected.
“William, it’s not that bad, I actually- I began.
“What does she have to complain about?” Thalia interrupted sharply from behind me.
Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, GEO
Chapter 104
