Chapter 183
Audrey’s POV
I struggled to free my wrist from Blake’s grip.
I’m supposed to stay and listen to your wedding plans?” I glared at him, pulling away. “Blake Parker, we’re divorced! What are you thinking? Are you trying to humiliate me?”
“When did I say anything about discussing a wedding?” Blake’s expression hardened.
Even though I’d convinced myself I was over Blake, we still shared three years of marriage. When we got married, we never had a proper wedding ceremony, not even a decent reception. The birthday celebration he’d promised me turned into a joke when he got the date wrong. There was no way I could sit here calmly listening to him discuss marriage plans with
another woman.
“Just let me go,” I said, tugging harder.
Blake’s grip tightened, and with a sudden pull, he yanked me toward him. I’d lost so much weight recently that I completely lost my balance, tumbling straight into his chest.
“Ah!” I gasped.
Blake’s familiar scent and warmth enveloped me, causing my heart to skip. I looked up, meeting his gaze. His dark eyes held concern and something else I couldn’t identify.
This unexpected closeness… why does it still affect me?
A pointed cough broke the moment. Scarlett cleared her throat, her disapproval filling the room.
I quickly pushed away from Blake, my cheeks burning. What was he thinking? Scarlett was his future mother–in–law, and here he was grabbing his ex–wife right in front of her. Was he trying to make Laurel’s attacks on me even worse?
“Sit down and stop wandering off,” Blake ordered, pointing to the seat beside him, his voice cold.
Blake has completely lost it. I couldn’t believe his behavior. This was Laurel’s mother sitting across from us, watching this bizarre scene unfold.
I reluctantly took the seat he indicated, keeping as much distance between us as possible. Blake resumed pouring tea as if nothing unusual had happened.
“Mrs. Rose,” Blake began, setting down the teapot, “if you only wanted to discuss the South City property, I might have continued our conversation. But if you’re bringing up Laurel’s marriage plans, I think there’s no need for further
discussion.”
Scarlett’s composure faltered. “Yes, you’re right. Marriage is between you and Laurel, and with her not present, it was inappropriate of me to bring it up…”
“It’s not just that,” Blake interrupted, looking directly at Scarlett. “You know why I’ve been good to Laurel.”
*I once thought I might love her, But the more time I spend with her, the more I realize she’s better suited to be my sister. My kindness to her now is solely because she saved my life years ago.”
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Chapter 183
The tea room fell silent. I watched with genuine curiosity, observing the subtle shifts in Scarlett’s expression.
“But what if Laurel wants to marry you?” Scarlett asked after a pause, her voice carefully controlled. “Would you agree
then?”
Blake didn’t answer immediately. The silence stretched through the room, broken only by the sound of me pouring more
tea.
“If Laurel herself asked to marry me, I would agree,” Blake finally responded.
I couldn’t help but laugh coldly. So much for all his talk about seeing Laurel as a sister. It was the same old story – Laurel only needed to ask, and Blake would comply. His actions always revealed the truth, no matter what he claimed.
“I have no romantic feelings for Laurel,” Blake continued, “but considering her terminal illness and limited time left, I would agree for her sake.”
What a hypocrite, I thought, sipping my tea. Laurel’s terminal illness was clearly fake. I could see through it, so why couldn’t Blake, who spent so much time with her? Was he truly blind to her deception, or was he knowingly using her “illness” as an excuse to justify his emotional affair during our marriage?
“Terminal illness?” Scarlett’s teacup cover clattered onto the table. “What illness does she have?”
Blake’s eyebrow arched in surprise. “You don’t know? Wasn’t it your suggestion three years ago that she seek treatment abroad?”
The blood drained from Scarlett’s face as she struggled to respond.
“How interesting,” I said, unable to resist. “Mrs. Rose isn’t aware that her daughter is supposedly dying?”
I smiled. “Miss Rose has been running to hospitals, constantly short of breath, fainting at the slightest upset… and her own mother knows nothing about it? That’s weird, don’t you think?”
Scarlett glared at me, her knuckles white around her teacup. Blake watched her reaction carefully.
Our tense standoff was interrupted by a knock. A middle–aged woman with graying hair entered, her eyes fixed on Scarlett.
“Madam, there’s been something wrong in the basement. The doctor says Miss Ha stopped when Scarlett jumped to her feet.
The woman spoke urgently but
“Nora!” Scarlett cut in sharply. “What about Laurel? Isn’t she resting? Has she awakened?”
Nora froze as she realized there were guests. Her eyes swept over Blake before landing on me. When our gazes met, her body went rigid, recognition flashing across her face.
I frowned, studying her. Something about her seemed familiar, tugging at my memory.
“Wait. Have we met before?” I asked, leaning forward.
Nora quickly looked away. “No, we haven’t.”
‘I’m certain we have,” I insisted. Her reaction wasn’t that of someone seeing a stranger.
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Chapter 183
She definitely recognizes me. My illness had affected my memory, making it hard to place her, but her expression told me everything. We had definitely crossed paths before.
Scarlett moved to stand in front of Nora, blocking my view.
“Miss Sinclair, you must be mistaken,” she said dismissively. “Nora works exclusively in my household. How could you possibly have met her?”
She gave me a look of contempt. “You were just fighting with me, and now you’re suddenly friendly with my maid? How
strange.”
I raised an eyebrow. “If you hadn’t said she was your maid, I wouldn’t have guessed. People say servants reflect their masters. Finding someone this polite serving you… it’s surprising. No wonder I mistook her.”
“You! Scarlett’s eyes bulged with anger.
“That’s enough,” Blake interrupted. He turned to me with a warning look. “Keep quiet.”
Then he shifted his attention to Nora, his gaze suddenly sharp. “Nora, you mentioned something about the basement. What did you mean?”
Nora glanced nervously at Scarlett, who had gone pale.
“Has Laurel been staying in the basement this whole time?” Blake asked, eyes narrowing.
