Chapter 202
Audrey’s POV
I stepped onto the balcony with my phone, shooting Astrid a quick “one minute” gesture before closing the glass door.
“James, I didn’t ghost everyone on purpose, I…” I lowered my voice, checking to make sure Astrid couldn’t hear through the glass. “I had some health problems. I was out cold for two days.”
“I thought someone was going to treat you?” James sounded worried. “What happened?”
“Long story.” I rubbed my forehead where a headache was building.
“Can you explain to George? I wasn’t trying to disappear. As for our partners, I can meet them right now if needed.”
I bit my lips, dropping my voice to barely a whisper. “You know my situation – late–stage gastric cancer, two months left at most. I need to see my designs released while I’m still alive. This collaboration means everything.”
James sighed. “If you lose this opportunity, it’ll be nearly impossible to make anything happen in two months. Their willingness to meet quickly is actually good – don’t waste it.”
“Now that we’ve found you, we can fix this. I’ll call George and have them set up a meeting.”
“Thanks, James.”
“Don’t thank me.” His voice softened. “Just take better care of yourself, okay? For your dream’s sake.”
I ended the call and turned to go back inside, only to freeze, Astrid stood in
Loorway, tears streaming down her face.
My stomach dropped. The look in her eyes told me everything.
“Astrid…”
“I heard it all.” Her voice was strangely calm despite her tears.
She took a shaky breath. “Less than three months, right?”
When I didn’t answer, something in her broke.
“You’re dying and you kept it from me?” Her voice cracked. “Were you planning to tell me after you were already gone that you had cancer?”
She wiped at her face angrily. “God, I took you for spicy food! Do you have any idea how I’d feel if something happened because of me?”
“I already lost Rachel. And now you’re going to vanish from my life the same way?”
I bit my lip hard, unable to find any words. In the living room, I could see Ethan, his face showing he’d heard everything
too.
“It’s my fault,” I finally said, moving to hug her.
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Chapter 202
She pushed me away. “What did you do wrong by getting sick?”
Her eyes flashed with anger. “This is on Blake Parker!”
“You were fine when you married him! Three years later, you’re dying!” She grabbed her purse. “I’m going to make him pay right now.”
I caught her arm. “This isn’t Blake’s fault. We weren’t in a normal marriage. He had no obligation to take care of me.”
I looked down at the floor. “Everything I did was my choice. What’s happening now… I brought it on myself.”
If I’d been smarter sooner, if I’d just left Blake and lived my own life instead of hoping he’d eventually see me… I wouldn’t be here now. This is what I get for being so stupid, thinking if I just loved him enough, he’d eventually love me back.
“But if it wasn’t for him, you wouldn’t have skipped meals or been treated like dirt by his family!” Astrid’s voice rose. “He’s responsible for this!“.
“I’ll make him find you the best doctors in the world!”
“Don’t bother,” I shook my head. “Someone’s already helping. Dr. Evans says specialists are coming soon.”
I tried to smile. “Maybe they’ll cure me and I won’t have to die after all.”
“I promise, if I make it, I’m done living for other people. I’ll never sacrifice for anyone again.”
Astrid’s lips trembled but she said nothing.
“Astrid’s right,” Ethan said, stepping forward. “Audrey can get better.”
He glanced between us. “But going to Blake now would be a mistake. His Miss Rose will just think Audrey is faking illness for attention. It’ll create drama that Audrey doesn’t need,”
“Besides,” he added quietly, “Blake doesn’t deserve to know about her illness. He has no right to help her now.”
“If you tell him, you’re just giving him a chance to play hero.”
Astrid stared at him, then nodded firmly. “You’re right. We can’t tell him. Let him live with guilt forever. No redemption opportunities!”
I shot Ethan a quick thumbs–up when Astrid wasn’t looking, then guided her back to the couch.
“So, what should I cook for you guys?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Astrid glared at me. “You just woke up from a coma and you want to cook? Ethan, what do you want? I’m making dinner for both of you.”
Before Ethan could answer, my phone rang again. James.
“I talked to George,” he said. “The executives are really upset about your disappearance. They want to meet immediately and asked that you come to them…”
He paused. “Can you do that?”
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Chapter 202
“Absolutely!” I didn’t hesitate. “Send me their address. I’ll bring everything and apologize in person.”
After a moment of silence, James agreed. “I’ll text you. Get ready, I’m coming to pick you up.”
When I opened his message, I frowned at the address.
That’s in the same area as the Rose family villas. Weird coincidence.
But it doesn’t say which specific villa. It can’t be the Rose family – Scarlett clearly said they’re all in real estate, not ‘small business” jewelry.
Makes sense that someone running a jewelry company would live in that wealthy neighborhood, though.
I texted back an “OK” with a thumbs–up and started gathering my things.
Astrid wasn’t happy seeing me rush off to work right after waking up, but instead of arguing, she stuffed several apples into my bag.
“You need to eat something,” was all she said.
I nodded, tucked the apples safely away, and hurried out with my design files.
James was already waiting downstairs. As I slid into the passenger seat, his eyes scanned my face.
“You’ve lost more weight,” he said. “Why did you suddenly collapse for two days? Did something happen?”
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