Chapter 104
Audrey’s POV
“Grandfather,” Thalia planted herself at William’s bedside, hands on hips. “You can’t be too partial to her. She’s been cheating on Blake!”
“Thalia!” Blake snapped. “Get out.”
Thalia’s hand flew to her chest. “I’m telling the truth! Why should I leave? If anyone should go, it’s this outsider! She jabbed a finger in my direction. “I’m your granddaughter by blood. Why should I be the one to leave?”
Thalia’s words clearly made William’s face flush crimson despite the oxygen mask.
His breathing turned heavy and labored, the monitors spiking. His eyes blazed with undisguised fury.
Even through the mask, his voice carried the full force of his rage:
“GET OUT!”
He struggled against the pillows, fingers tightening around mine. “I know Audrey better than anyone. She would never
cheat. NEVER!”
William’s defense warmed something in me. Unlike his grandson, he’d actually taken time to know who I was.
Thalia’s face twisted. “Really? She’s got men everywhere lately that college friend and some university kid. Living it up
while you’re stuck here.”
I stiffened. Something wasn’t right.
I racked my brain, trying to remember when Thalia and I had last crossed paths. There hadn’t been any recent encounters.
James Collins that might be explainable. He’d attended William’s birthday gala, where Thalia had seen us speaking. But Ethan Davies? In every interaction I’d had with him, Thalia hadn’t been present. She shouldn’t even him.
Wait, Thalia was Blake’s sister, practically joined at the hip with Laurel. One of them must have told her about Ethan.
Which could only mean one thing: they were watching me. Gathering information.
Taking a deep breath, I met Thalia’s eyes calmly. “I’m surprised you’re so invested in my personal life.”
Thalia flipped her hair. “My brother’s reputation matters. If you’re cheating-”
“Then tell me exactly when I met this college friend. Or when I first saw the university student.”
Her mouth opened, then closed.
“My child was three months along,” I continued. “What was I doing three and a half months ago? And where were these supposed lovers?”
Thalia paled. “How would I know? I’m not tracking your affairs. I just care about my brother!”
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‘Really?” I smiled coldly. “Then you must know where Blake was three and a half months ago?
Instantly, her face paled, her mouth opening, yet she failed to say anything.
“Can’t answer?‘ 1 straightened in my chair. “Let me help you.”
The room went quiet.
Three and a half months ago, Blake was in Long Island during that big storm. He caught a fever and called me. I took a boat through rough waters to reach him and stayed for a week.
I kept my voice level, factual.
‘I didn’t bring contraceptives. That’s when I got pregnant.”
I met her eyes. “Want to see the boat tickets and receipts from the island?”
William’s breathing steadied as he watched her falter. Through his mask, he let out a satisfied snort.
“Told you she wasn’t that kind of person,” he rasped.
“I… Thalia trailed off, biting her lip.
Her eyes flickered nervously toward Felix, who was watching her with unmistakable disappointment. I caught that glance- her desperate need for his approval.
Not wanting to lose face, Thalia doubled down. “So what? Maybe you slept with the boat captain or someone else there…
The slap echoed through the room.
Blake had struck his sister across the face.
“You’ve gone too far,” he growled.
Thalia touched her reddening cheek, stunned silent as tears formed.
“Audrey is your sister–in–law,” Blake towered over her. “She’s taken care of you for years. Apologize. Now.”
“You hit me?” Thalia’s voice cracked. “For her?“.
“Apologize!” Blake demanded.
“Why should I? Thalia’s voice rose. “Even if the baby was yours, she’s still hanging around that college guy and the student. You’ve seen it!”
I watched her meltdown with detachment.
“Besides,” Thalia switched tactics, she skipped the divorce court. She doesn’t want to leave – she just wants to be between you and Laurel!
“Why should I apologize to a homewrecker?”
Chapter 104
“What? Homewrecker?” Felix laughed.
He looked at Thalia, shocked by her words. Are you suggesting Blake and Laurel are the legitimate couple while his legal wife is the intruder?”
“The unwanted person is the third wheel, Thalia snapped. “And she’s unwanted!”
Blake pulled out his phone. “Michael, come get Thalia.”
Michael’s voice immediately went through, “Got it, sir.”
“Blake!” Thalia protested. “Everything I’m saying is true! She’s a homewrecker-”
Michael appeared with two guards who escorted her out. Her face was a mix of shock and outrage as the door closed behind them.
Silence filled the room. William’s breathing steadied while Felix lingered by the door.
Blake ran a hand through his hair – a rare sign of stress from him.
“Thalia’s young,” he said. “I apologize.”
I laughed. “She’s older than me.”
“I don’t need your apology,” I met his eyes. “But control your sister.”
I lowered my voice. “I have evidence of all the messes I’ve cleaned up for her.”
“I hear she wants to break into Hollywood,” I added. “Wonder how her career would fare if those things went public?”
Blake’s POV
“You’ve helped Thalia?” I couldn’t hide my shock.
William snorted, pulling off his oxygen mask. “You don’t know your own sister?”
He sat up straighter. “Haven’t you noticed she stopped bringing you her problems after your coma?”
I looked between him and Audrey, confused.
“Not because she grew up,” William continued. “Because she knew you’d scold her, so she went to Audrey instead.”
He gestured toward her. “Why do you think Audrey charged thousands to your card? What did you think that money was
for?”
I froze.
I’d always assumed Thalia had matured during my coma. And I’d believed Audrey spent freely because she loved luxury.
Had Audrey been quietly fixing my sister’s problems all this time?
“If that’s true,” Felix pushed off from the doorframe, “Audrey got screwed.”
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He shook his head. “From how Thalia just acted, I’d have sworn they were enemies. Yet Audrey’s been cleaning up after her. for years.
He smirked. ‘Is Audrey too nice, or is your sister just ungrateful?”
I ignored the mockery in his voice as I turned to Audrey, my mind racing. “We need to talk. Outside.”
She didn’t move, still holding William’s hand. “Mr. Parker.”
Her gaze was steady. “Whatever you need to say, say it here.”
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