Chapter 106
Audrey’s POV
1 froze, staring at Blake, unable to believe my ears. The family who had just left the elevator with their newborn had taken their happiness with them, but somehow left behind these unexpected words hanging between us.
4
Was 1 hearing things? Blake Parker the man who spent three years treating me like a stranger, who’d been joined at the hip with Laurel Rose since her return talking about future children?
Blake noticed my shock. His brow furrowed, something flickering behind his eyes- perhaps he just realized how crazy those words were.
“Forget what I said,‘ he muttered, straightening his tie before turning toward the open doors.
I snapped back to reality just as the elevator began to close. I slipped through the gap and followed him down the corridor.
We walked in silence from the elevator toward the hospital entrance. Blake moved with his usual confidence, shoulders squared, each step purposeful. I followed a few steps behind, watching him.
I observed his tall figure, once so captivating to me. An involuntary coldness touched my lips. I’d figured out why he’d said
those words.
That family we’d shared the ride with the tender looks between new parents, their whispered words of mutual support through childbirth. The scene had created ripples in my heart, and apparently, it had moved something in Blake too.
If he’d been a responsible husband all along, such words might have meant something. But our child – from existence to nonexistence – never commanded his attention. Even the day I miscarried, he was with Laurel.
He’d remembered my terminated pregnancy and wanted to imitate them by saying something reassuring to me. A normal sentiment, perhaps. If Blake had been a responsible husband, such words would have been appropriate, even comforting.
But this child, from existence to nonexistence, Blake had never paid attention to it. Even on the day I miscarried, he was still being cozy with his Miss Rose.
What right did he have to say such things now?
Soon, we sat down at a small restaurant across from the hospital. Just a family–run breakfast spot with mismatched tables and the smell of fresh soy milk. Not Blake’s usual five–star scene, but it was close to William’s room.
–
A server handed Blake the menu with a smile. He took it and passed it to me pure habit from countless dinners where I’d order for both of us while he chose wine.
This time, I didn’t take it.
I kept my eyes on my phone, checking messages from Astrid and Ethan. “Three orders of soy milk and fried dough with one tea egg,” I said flatly. “One for here, two to go.”
Blake’s hand stopped mid–air, menu suspended between us.
“What about mine?” His voice held genuine surprise.
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I glanced up. “You can’t order for yourself?”
Without waiting for his response, I checked my phone. Ethan had sent a voice message.
“Audrey, I’ve done something big for you. What are you going to treat me to? His voice carried the enthusiasm of youth.
I started to reply: “That depends on what you want to eat, I…
“Server,” Blake called out, louder than necessary. “I’ll have what she’s having.”
I frowned at him. He knew exactly what he was doing. Looking down, I realized my half–finished message had already sent.
Ethan replied immediately: “Audrey, I heard that!”
“Is that your husband?”
“Is he giving you trouble? Need me to come help?”
As I started typing, Blake spoke up, “Let him come. Didn’t he ask you to treat him to a meal? Soy milk and fried dough would be perfect for him.”
“Real mature,” I said, typing back: No need, thanks for your concern.
I placed my phone face–down, hoping that would end it. But the sudden ringtone made me jump. Ethan calling. I moved to decline when Blake’s hand shot out and grabbed my phone. I tried to keep it, but his grip was stronger.
In one smooth motion, he answered and hit speaker.
“Audrey, where are you?” Ethan’s voice filled our space. “I’m coming to find you. Your husband’s clearly hassling you again.”
“I” he started.
“Young man,” Blake cut in smoothly. The CEO voice, cool and controlled.
“Do I need to remind you that Audrey and I aren’t divorced yet?”
After a pause, Ethan replied, “You will be soon enough.”
“Actually, Audrey and I were just discussing having another child.” Blake’s voice was casual but firm. “Our relationship is fine. Whether we divorce is between us as husband and wife. It doesn’t concern outsiders.”
“I…” Ethan’s voice faltered.
“Young man,” Blake continued, his tone dropping. “As men, I know what you’re thinking. But remember – don’t fixate on things that aren’t yours. Don’t pursue people who aren’t available to you.”
Even through the phone, I could feel Ethan’s discomfort. Blake had that effect on people – making them feel small without raising his voice.
He ended the call with a tap, leaving silence between us.
My temple throbbed. I snatched my phone back. “What gives you the right to answer my calls?” I kept my voice low but
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Chapter 106
sharp. “And when did I discuss having another child with you?”
“Just now in the elevator,” he replied simply.
I laughed coldly. “That’s ridiculous. We’re getting divorced.”
*
“The divorce is temporary – just to protect Laurel during this media storm, Blake said, like he was explaining something obvious. “After things calm down, we’ll remarry.”
I stared at him, stunned by his presumption.
“Don’t worry,” he said, his voice softening. “We’re still young. We have plenty of time. We’ll have children eventually.”
His words “we’re still young, we have plenty of time” – cut deeper than he could know. Yes, I was young. But time wasn’t on my side. Three months left with terminal cancer meant no future children, no future anything.
“I don’t need children anymore,” I said firmly.
Our food arrived. I ate mechanically, tasting nothing, avoiding further conversation.
Across the table, Blake watched me, eyes narrowed, brow furrowed. He was trying to understand this new version of me that didn’t fit his expectations – the version that no longer bent to his will.
After eating, we left together. I carried the takeout containers for William and Felix as we walked back to the hospital in
silence.
It wasn’t until we entered the elevator to William’s room that I looked up at Blake. “Mr. Parker.”
He turned at the formal address.
“You kept Felix from coming with me, saying you needed to talk. Was it just to mention having children?”
say and missed his chance, he’d create another opportunity to get I knew Blake too well. If he had something important to me alone. With my limited time, I couldn’t afford to play his games.
So I had decided to ask while we were still in the elevator, in this small window of privacy before we rejoined William and
Felix.
Hearing my words, Blake frowned, sarcastically pulling at his lips as he looked at me. “What do you think I wanted to tell you?”
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