Audrey’s POV
Wind whipped through my hair as I pushed the red sports car around the coastal road. Astrid and 1 drove for hours, stopping occasionally at overlooks before finally heading back to Manhattan as darkness fell.
The restaurant Astrid chose was tucked in a quiet corner of the Upper East Side elegant but not showy, with soft lighting and privacy.
“If I didn’t have to drive this borrowed car back tonight, I’d definitely have a proper drink with you,” Astrid said, watching me as she poured our tea. “You have no idea how upset I’ve been seeing all that crap online about you lately.”
“Being in the modeling industry, I know exactly how brutal online trolls can be.” Her fingers tightened around her cup. “I was terrified that all this negativity would be too much for you to
handle,”
“But instead of letting the internet drama crush you, you actually used it to your advantage and finally divorced Blake!” Her eyes lit up. “I still can’t believe you did it with all those cameras rolling.”
I took a sip, and smiled, “I guess something good came from all this mess after all.”
“Even though you’ve divorced Blake, people are still attacking you online,” Astrid frowned. “Want me to get my agency’s PR team to handle it? They’re experts at cleaning up messes.”
“Don’t bother. Let them keep talking.” I met her gaze directly. “If they stop now, there won’t be enough recent evidence when I collect everything for my lawsuit.”
Astrid’s eyes widened before her face split into a grin. She waved to
red!”
the server. “Your best bottle of
Then she leaned forward. “You’re really suing those trolls?”
“I’ve spent years holding back for the sake of being Mrs. Parker. They all thought I was born to be pushed around.” I straightened my shoulders. “Now that I’m divorced, I don’t need to save anyone’s face anymore.”
The server returned with wine, pouring a glass for Astrid.
“Audrey, I’m so happy!” Astrid’s eyes suddenly glistened. “You’re really… back!”
I watched her take a big sip of wine. “I thought you weren’t drinking?”
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Can’t help it! She grinned. Besides, you can’t drink anyway because of your health, so you can drive when we return the car. My boss only said I had to return It personally never specified I had
to drive it.”
As she continued drinking, her emotions became more pronounced.
“After Rachel disappeared, you were the only close friend I had left, but you got so wrapped up in Blake, that jerk. She took another drink. “For him, you quit racing, stopped designing jewelry, quit having fun…”
“Watching you change for that man, putting up with his family’s crap…” She set her glass down firmly. “It killed me, and I felt so useless I couldn’t protect Rachel, couldn’t help you…”
Her teary eyes met mine. “When you came after your miscarriage saying you were done with him, I didn’t believe it. I thought you’d go back and break my heart all over again. Now you’re finally free, and I can breathe!”
My chest tightened. I’d never realized how my marriage had affected her too.
“Anyway, from today on, there’s no more Mrs. Parker – just my friend Audrey Sinclair!” she declared, raising her glass. “We’ll look after each other, and when we retire, we’ll travel everywhere together!”
The future she imagined retirement, travel, years of friendship was something I couldn’t promise
her.
“Why wait until then?” I asked, looking away. “Do you have time soon? Let’s go traveling now.”
Astrid set her glass down, surprised. “No need to rush. I’ve got a major runway show coming up and need to train the junior models. I won’t have free time for at least a month or two… After the show, I’ll take some time off and we can really enjoy ourselves!”
I sighed quietly. I probably won’t live long enough for ‘someday.
“Fine, I’ll wait for you,” I lied.
By the time we left, Astrid was thoroughly drunk, leaning against me as we reached her family’s
home.
Mrs. Wilson opened the door, concern on her face. Two staff members waited behind her.
“Mom!” Astrid waved, nearly falling. “Look who I brought!”
Mrs. Wilson’s eyes moved from her daughter to me. “So drunk!”
Her face softened, “She must have been celebrating your divorce today.”
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“Yes, she’s happy for me.”
The staff helped Astrid inside. Mrs. Wilson took my hand. “Audrey, Congratulations on your
freedom.”
Her simple words caught me off guard genuine, understanding what this divorce truly meant.
“Thank you, Mrs. Wilson,” I smiled.
“Audrey… Astrid called from the stairs. “Don’t forget the car…”
Even drunk, she remembered her responsibilities.
“Don’t worry!” I called back.
Back in the car, I messaged the owner as instructed. The response came immediately a location pin.
I stared at it, frowning. The Underground.
Blake rented that club tonight to celebrate our divorce. The car owner was probably among
guests.
his
I hesitated, finger hovering over the ignition. I didn’t want to encounter anyone connected to Blake or have people know I went near his divorce party.
–
But I can’t let Astrid down. If I’m quick drop off the car and leave immediately I might not even run into any Parkers.
Decision made, I started the car and headed toward The Underground.
The neon lights of The Underground cast a blue glow across the sidewalk as I parked. Music pulsed from within, muffled by the doors but still vibrating through the pavement.
I texted: “I’ve arrived.”
The response came quickly: “Wait a moment, I’ll be right out.”
“Okay.”
I got out, keys in hand, and waited. The club doors swung open, and three women emerged.
Before I could turn away, a familiar voice called out: “Well, look who it is!”
Thalia Parker. Blake’s sister and my most vocal critic.
“What a coincidence,” she added.
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“Who is it?” asked Olivia, her ever present sidekick.
“I don’t recognize her, said Laurel Rose, her voice measured. “If Thalia knows her, let’s say hello.”
My back stiffened. I took a deep breath before turning to face them.
“Quite a coincidence indeed,” I said with a forced smile,
Olivia’s eyes widened. Audrey Sinclair!? What are you doing here?”
“She’s here to ruin everyone’s good time,” Thalla crossed her arms. “She must have found out Blake rented this place to celebrate, so she came to spoil everything.”
I stayed silent, letting her continue.
“I suggest you leave before my brother sees you,” she warned. “He’s in a great mood tonight and drinking more than usual. If you ruin his night… I won’t let you get away with it!”
Three years ago, those words would have intimidated me. Three years of Parker disapproval had taught me to back down, apologize, make myself smaller.
Not anymore.
I crossed my arms and met her gaze coldly. “You and your brother may have rented The Underground, but did you also buy the sidewalk outside?”
I stepped forward. “Have you forgotten that I’m no longer part of the Parker family?”
Looking directly into her shocked eyes, I added, “Your threats… mean nothing to me now.”
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