Chapter 115
Blake’s POV
I stood outside the courthouse while conversations buzzed around me.
‘Did you see how she handled that car? Total pro.”
“The ex–Mrs. Parker isn’t what I expected.”
“Clean divorce, no drama. Just signed and bounced.”
“She must have a free spirit! Nothing like the desperate gold–digger from the tabloids.”
I kept my face blank as I watched Audrey drive off in Felix Thompson’s sports car like she’d owned it her whole life. These comments painted someone I barely recognized.
Free spirit?
Had Audrey wanted freedom from me all along? Had our marriage been her prison?
None of it made sense. She married me while I was in a coma. She spent my money. Multiple people told me she’d
admitted marrying me for wealth and status.
So why did our three–year marriage suddenly feel like something she needed to escape?
The way she slid behind that wheel, the calm in her eyes when she handed me those divorce papers – who was this
woman?
“Blake darling!”
Laurel’s hand grabbed my arm before I saw her. She blocked my view of the street, resting her head against my arm. Her perfume hit me like a wall.
“Thalia just texted,” she chirped. “She wants us to meet her and Olivia tonight to celebrate. Are you free?”
“What is there to celebrate?” The words came out sharp.
My humiliation or the fact that Audrey had walked away without looking back when I was certain she’d come crawling to
me?
Audrey’s POV
The sports car engine roared as I took another lap around New York’s outer ring road. Felix sat quietly beside me while I enjoyed what I needed most speed and control.
The afternoon sun warmed my face as I gripped the wheel. Every turn was my choice. Every acceleration my decision. No Parker family telling me what to do./
I pulled over at an ocean lookout and opened the top. The salt air hit my lungs, and something unexpected washed over
me – pure joy.
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I’d thought ending my marriage would crush me. After loving Blake for five years, three as his wife, I’d prepared for griet and regret. Maybe even the urge to beg for another chance,
Instead, I felt like I could breathe again. No more Parker name weighing me down. No more playing perfect society wife. No more judgment from Rebecca and Thalia. No more Blake’s coldness.
Today, I just felt free.
“You look happy,” Felix said.
I turned to find him watching me. When was the last time someone looked at me like I mattered?
‘Is there something on my face?” I asked.
“Actually, yes, Felix said, totally serious.
I touched my cheek. “What? Did I get ink on myself from the divorce papers?”
Felix laughed. “No. It’s the look of someone who just broke free.”
I laughed – really laughed. “You’re right. Dumping a miserable marriage does wonders for your mood.”
“If it was so bad, why’d you marry Blake Parker?”
The question didn’t hurt like it should have. “Temporary insanity,” I said. “Blinded by love.”
I couldn’t tell him everything – how I’d cared for Blake when he was blind five years ago. His promises to find me. How crushing it was when he woke from his coma with no memory of me, devoted to Laurel instead.
Some secrets were mine alone, especially now that I was free.
I pulled my divorce certificate from my pocket. Audrey Sinclair again, not Parker. I held it up against the sky and ocean for
a photo.
I posted it on Instagram: Free at last. I could die happy now.
A sports car roared up beside us, its red paint job gleaming in the sun.
Astrid pushed up her sunglasses. “To celebrate your divorce, I borrowed this ridiculous car. Flashy enough?”
I laughed and pocketed my phone. “Perfect!”
“Astrid’s here for me,” I told Felix. “I’ll head back with her. I owe you dinner for all your help today.”
Felix froze. “You two planned this?”
“Obviously,” Astrid grinned. “We coordinated.”
She slid to the passenger side. “Mr. Thompson, I noticed how you looked after Audrey today. We’ll thank you properly
another time.”
I got behind the wheel and put on Astrid’s sunglasses. “Dinner soon.”
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“Why not today?” Felix suggested.
Astrid studied him like she’d evaluate a new model. “Can’t. You’re busy.”
“Am I?”
“Blake rented The Underground tonight,” she said. “He’s invited everyone to celebrate his divorce. Can you miss that?”
Felix tensed, glancing at me. I kept my face blank like Blake wasn’t my husband of three years who’d just divorced me.
“So?” Astrid pressed. “Dinner tonight? Or are you going to Blake’s party?”
Felix sighed, “We should reschedule.”
“That’s more like it,” Astrid smirked. “Your friendship with Blake trumps everything!”
“Bye, Felix!” I waved casually.
I drove away, leaving Felix – and the Parker world behind.
“Avoid that one,” Astrid said, eyeing Felix in the mirror. “He spent the whole day at your side – hospital, courthouse, everything. Then Blake’s party comes up, and suddenly dinner’s off. His loyalty’s clear.”
I kept my eyes on the road. “I know. I already told him nothing would happen between us.”
At a red light, I glanced at Astrid. “I won’t make the same mistake twice with trust fund boys who put business first.”
Astrid slouched in her seat. “Thank God. I worried you’d fall for another rich charmer.”
“Nope,” I said. “Felix is fine, but not my type.”
Felix’s POV
I watched the car shrink to a red dot before disappearing around the bend. With a deep sigh, I moved to the driver’s seat
of my own car.
My phone buzzed constantly. I checked the group chat that had exploded since Audrey and Blake signed their divorce
papers:
Audrey’s threatened divorce before but always crawled back. Is she serious now?”
“She’ll beg to reconcile soon. Just bigger drama this time.”
“Blake should ditch her for good and marry Laurel!”
“Betting $5,000 she begs Blake to take her back within a month!”
“$10,000 says two weeks max!”
I stared at these messages before typing: “$50,000 says she won’t try to get back with Blake.”
The chat went silent. Nobody had suggested Audrey wouldn’t return.
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Then Blake wrote: “$100,000 says she’ll beg to get back together within a week.”
The chat exploded:
“Totally agree, back together in a week!”
“Going from luxury to normal life is tough. She’ll come running in days!”
“Wonder how she’ll save face when she crawls back…”
I pictured Audrey handling my car, and the genuine freedom in her smile when talking about leaving her marriage.
“None of you know her. Why so sure she’ll beg to reconcile?” I typed.
Everyone ignored me and kept speculating.
Then Blake replied directly: “Are you saying you know her well?”
The chat went dead silent while private messages flooded in:
“Lost your mind? They’re divorced!”
“Trying to piss off Blake Parker? Want to tank your family business?”
My stomach dropped. The Thompsons had worked with Parkers for generations, and I couldn’t risk my family’s business relationships with Parker Group.
After a long moment, I wrote: “I don’t know her either. Just thinking out loud. Ignore me.”
I looked at the ocean and whispered, “Audrey… I’m sorry.”
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