Chapter 112
Audrey’s POV
I watched the reporters swarm around Laurel and Blake again. I sighed and turned to Felix, who was still holding my phone..
“Alright, that’s enough,” I said, taking my phone back from him. “Thanks, Mr. Thompson. Astrid and I will treat you to dinner sometime.”
Despite everything happening around us, I felt oddly composed.
Felix looked up at me, our eyes meeting briefly. I offered him what must have been a surprisingly radiant smile, considering the circumstances. He seemed momentarily entranced, standing rooted to the spot as I prepared to walk away.
But a voice called out behind me.
“Miss Sinclair! Please wait.” Laurel’s tone was sweet with a clear edge beneath.
I stopped and glanced back, keeping my face blank.
“Miss Rose, do you need something from me?”
“Of course I do.”
Laurel let go of Blake’s arm and walked over, reporters trailing behind like ducklings. She linked her arm through mine – friendly for the cameras, but her fingers dug into my skin while her smile never faltered.
“Miss Sinclair,” she said loudly enough for everyone to hear, “I understand when you married Blake three years ago, you had your reasons. These three years, you’ve taken good care of Blake for me.”
I kept my face neutral despite her audacity.
“But since you signed divorce papers over a month ago, and now someone’s posted your marriage certificate and abortion records online… To avoid misunderstandings, why not go to court today while these reporters are here and get your divorce certificate? Do you agree?”
The reporters jumped in immediately.
“Yes! Get divorced on camera – America needs to see it!”
“Those online rumors will vanish once you’re officially divorced!”
“You said yourself the agreement was signed a month ago – you can’t be having second thoughts now, right?”
“Courts process these things quickly now! Go today!”
Every comment felt coordinated, pushing me toward divorce. I looked at Blake, noticing tension around his eyes despite his blank expression.
Before I could speak, Blake walked through the crowd and positioned himself between us and the cameras.
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Enough, he said, his voice low but carrying. “You only need to know that Audrey and I decided to divors, lon we will soon. When we file the paperwork, when we get our divorce certificate that’s our family business butaries
no say.”
The corridor went silent. The reporters lowered their heads, some even backing away. No one dared speak. Even the on who’d been attacking me moments ago shut up fast.
In the tense silence, I noticed Laurel frowning, trying to make eye contact with certain reporters behind Blake’s back. But they wouldn’t even look at him now, let alone challenge him.
Laurel glared at them, and everything clicked. These reporters weren’t just here they were her people. She’d orchestrated this to corner Blake into divorcing me immediately. But they hadn’t counted on the effect Blake Parker had on people. Not one dared speak when facing the CEO of Parker Group.
I smiled slightly and pulled my arm from Laurel’s grasp.
She froze, surprised. I stepped away from her and looked up at Blake.
“Mr. Parker,” I said clearly, “I think Miss Rose and the reporters are right. Getting our divorce certificate today would make these online rumors disappear. I’ll only take what’s mine–I–don’t want any of Parker Group’s assets, and we don’t have
much to divide anyway.”
I curled my lips into a small smile. “Let’s go to court. With your influence, speeding things up shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Blake’s POV
My body went rigid at Audrey’s words. I turned back, stunned to see her calm, smiling face. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
“Since we decided to divorce over a month ago,” she added evenly, “and now Miss Rose is back, dragging this out isn’t good for anyone, is it?”
Then she turned and walked toward the exit, steps light like she’d dropped a burden.
I stood frozen, watching her leave. My chest tightened painfully. During our marriage, Audrey had mentioned divorce before. Each time I knew it was just a tactic and ignored her. Each time she eventually apologized, saying she was being petty and needed to focus on the bigger picture.
But this time was different. She wasn’t backing down. She wasn’t apologizing. She was walking away like she meant every word about ending our marriage.
A sense of helplessness washed over me. I couldn’t breathe properly. This couldn’t be happening like this, not so publicly.
Laurel grabbed my arm, practically bouncing with excitement. “Blake darling, let’s go! Don’t keep Miss Sinclair waiting!”
The reporters started up again, more cautiously this time.
“Better hurry before she changes her mind.”
“Broadcasting Parker Group CEO’s divorce–career highlight right here!”
“High society divorce live! Can’t wait!”
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Front page material for days! Gotta capture every detail!”
Each comment gisted on me, but there was no backing out now. Audrey had proposed going to cut
leaving. With everyone watching, I had no choice.
As Laurel led me outside, I saw Audrey getting into Felix Thompson’s sports car. My stomach tightened. She made a ride with me to our divorce? My car was right next to Felix s.
Michael held my car door open. I got in, Laurel sliding in beside me. As we pulled away. Laurel watched Felix’s car
off.
“Miss Sinclair and Mr. Thompson seem close,” she said. “At the racetrack, he said they were meeting for the first time How’d they get so friendly so fast? Miss Sinclair gets along with every man she meets. Not me… after all these years, you’re still my only friend, Blake darling.”
I closed my eyes and leaned back. “If you want, you could make more male friends too.”
“I… I don’t want that, Laurel said after a pause.
She bit her lip and leaned against my arm. “I’d never want so many male friends. I’d be afraid you’d get jealous.”
Behind my closed eyes, I remembered Audrey’s words from early in our marriage:
“Using someone else to make your partner jealous is insecure and cruel.”
“If I ever get close to another man, either I’ve fallen for him or I’ve stopped loving you – but I’d never do it just to make you jealous!”
“If I still loved you, I could never hurt you like that!”
Back then, she’d looked at me with such warmth. Her eyes used to light up when she saw me. When had that light disappeared? While I was focused on Laurel’s return? Or had it faded slowly over our years together while I wasn’t paying attention?
“Blake darling?” Laurel’s voice broke through my thoughts.
I opened my eyes. “What?”
She glared at me. “You’re not listening again! You’re always distracted lately!”
She clung to my arm, pouting. “I asked if you’d be jealous if I made male friends everywhere like Miss Sinclair does.”
I frowned slightly, considering the question for a moment before answering: “No.”
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