Chapter 147
Laurel’s POV
The ice cream container flew across the room, splattering against the wall. Jennifer froze, vanilla dripping down her blouse, face pale with fear.
“Laurel, I’m sorry,” she stammered, grabbing tissues. “I wasn’t thinking
I watched her panic, feeling a cold satisfaction. Four years had passed, yet Rachel’s name still triggered something raw and violent in me.
“Mention her again,” I said quietly, “and you’re fired
Jennifer nodded frantically. “Of course. It won’t happen again.”
I closed my eyes, trying to slow my breathing. The hospital machines beeped steadily, mocking this charade I maintained. Jennifer dabbed at her ruined blouse, shooting nervous glances my way.
After regaining composure, I reached into my bag and pulled out an old phone with a cracked screen. The thing was ancient – at least five years outdated.
“The charging port’s broken,” I said, handing it to her. “Find an adapter.”
Jennifer examined it, confusion evident. “This phone is so old. Why keep using it?”
“It’s that bitch’s phone.”
Understanding dawned in Jennifer’s eyes. “I’ll find a compatible charger tomorrow.”
“Good.” I waved her away. Jennifer backed toward the door like she was escaping a predator.
When the door closed, I leaned back and let my mind drift to four years ago.
The rooftop scene played vividly – Rachel’s hair whipping in the wind, her finger jabbing the air as she confronted me.
“You might be my sister on paper, but I’ve never called you that!” Her voice had cut like a blade. “It was Audrey who took care of Blake. Audrey who promised to be with him!”
I could still see her pacing, movements sharp with anger.
“Blake not recognizing Audrey when he was blind makes sense, but you knew! You knew he wasn’t looking for you!”
Her voice had risen, fierce and determined. “I won’t let you steal my friend’s credit or take what
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should be her happy ending. And I absolutely won’t let you use stolen glory to force Blake to marry you!”
In my memory, I watched myself stand unmoved as her accusations landed. I remembered the calculation, the impulse, the push…
I regretted pushing Rachel the moment she fell not from gullt, but because I’d chosen a building only
seven stories tall.
..
If rd picked somewhere higher, wouldn’t she have died on impact?
Instead, she became a vegetable. A living reminder of what I’d done.
Plants don’t speak, but they can wake up. As long as Rachel breathes, I’ll never feel safe.
I grabbed my phone and found “Mom” in my contacts. Scarlett Rose answered after three rings.
“Mom.”
“Are you still with Rachel?” I kept my voice neutral.
“Did you see the scandal online? The company gave me time off.”
I softened my tone. “I thought I’d visit you both while I’m free.”
My lips curved slightly as I added, “I miss her.”
Blake’s POV
I hung up, still holding Audrey against the wall. Her warmth brought back memories I’d rather
forget.
“Can you let go?” Her voice carried clear impatience.
I stepped back. She straightened her clothes without looking at me and turned to leave.
“Audrey.” I watched her pause on the stairs.
“You’re really going after that college kid?”
She turned back, eyes narrowed, “Didn’t we just discuss this?”
“I’m saying,” I studied her face, “you mentioned fifteen men in suits at his dorm. You’re walking in there alone?”
I gestured to her frame. “Expecting him to protect you?”
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Audrey exhaled. “I wasn’t planning to go alone.”
“I’d call the police to come with me.”
I laughed sharply. “A divorced woman bringing cops to a men’s dorm at eleven PM to rescue a sports
science student.”
“That’ll make quite a story around campus.”
The blood drained from her face. She hadn’t considered how this would affect Ethan’s reputation, how gossip would follow him through his academic life.
Her pale face stirred something in me.
She’d backed down from danger – I should be glad.
But knowing her concern was all for that college boy… I couldn’t stand it.
I knew Audrey’s heart was mine. Others were just passing acquaintances.
Yet this jealousy wouldn’t fade.
After a long silence, she spoke hoarsely.
“Blake.”
She met my eyes. “Can you help me?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Asking favors requires a, certain… attitude.”
Her lips tightened as she searched my face, “What kind of attitude?”
I didn’t answer, just watched her.
“Blake,” she pressed, desperation creeping in. “Tell me what you want.”
“I’ll do anything reasonable.”
My gaze dropped to her lips. Even in this dim light, I remembered exactly how they felt – soft, sweet. My throat tightened.
“What do you think?” I asked quietly.
Audrey’s face went paler. She took a deep breath, collecting herself.
“Fine. It’s eleven now,” she said flatly. “If we save Ethan tonight, I’ll satisfy your request afterward.”
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If not, whenever you want, I’ll fulfill my promise. I won’t back out.
I frowned. “Boring.”
Her businesslike tone twisted something in my chest.
Before, any hint of intimacy would make her blush, eyes averted.
Now she approached it like a business deal.
Irritation rose inside me.
I hadn’t planned to demand anything. Saying she needed “the right attitude” was just pointing out her coldness toward me.
When she looked at me with those pleading eyes, possessiveness flared.
But her clinical response killed any desire.
I loosened my tie and walked past her. “Let’s go.”
“Where?” she followed reluctantly.
“To fix your problem,” I said without looking back.
Audrey drove while I made calls from the passenger seat – first Michael, then NYU’s president, finally campus security. Each call was brief and effective.
At a red light, Audrey shot me a skeptical look. “This is your solution?”
“I expected something more elaborate.”
I scrolled through messages. “Simple but effective.”
She snorted. “I could’ve done this myself.”
“Really?” I raised an eyebrow. “You’re also friends with NYU’s president? Could get him to call security this late for a personal favor?”
Audrey fell silent.
I shifted in my seat as traffic moved. “Those vans have been outside the dorm long enough for students to notice. Security moving them along makes perfect sense.”
“Nobody connects this to Ethan. His reputation stays clean. Better than anything you could’ve managed alone.”
کہنا ہے
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I glanced at her, allowing a small smile. “Don’t worry.”
“I won’t let you sacrifice yourself for nothing.”
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