Audrey’s POV
I hesitated when James asked what happened, then gave him a watered–down version. No way I’d tell him Blake had me reported for prostitution. That was too humiliating. I just said the Parker family had been giving me trouble.
“That doesn’t sound like you,” James said, eyes flicking between me and the road. “You’ve never let the Parkers or Laurel get to you before. I’ve seen them pull way worse, and you barely blinked. What made this time different?”
I stared down at my hands.
He was right.
I’d suffered far worse than this. Laurel’s schemes had left me beaten and barely recognizable. I’d nearly died. Yet I hadn’t
reacted with this kind of emotional collapse then.
So why did Blake reporting me hit so hard? Why did it make me vomit blood and pass out?
I sighed and turned to watch the scenery blur past. “Maybe I expected better this time.”
Before, I could handle whatever Laurel or Thalia dished out. But this was Blake Parker. My husband of three years. Someone who knew me. And he reported me for prostitution.
A bitter smile tugged at my mouth.
I’d told myself that after losing our baby, I was done loving Blake. Done caring. But now I could see that was a lie I’d been
d to be. That’s why it hurt so much. telling myself. I still cared what he thought. I wasn’t as detached as I’d pret
“Don’t take it so hard,” James said. “If things get too rough, you could always talk to Blake about it. Three years of marriage has to count for something. He wouldn’t let them keep hurting you.”
I laughed once, hollow and dry. “Yes, he would.”
I closed my eyes and leaned back in my seat. “I’m tired. Need to rest.”
James took the hint and went quiet, letting me sink into my thoughts.
“Audrey, we’re here.”
I blinked awake as James’s voice pulled me back. When I looked out the window, my heart dropped like a stone.
Twilight Mansion. Of all places.
Were our potential business partners from the Rose family? Or was it Blake himself?
“What’s wrong?” James asked, noticing my face. “You know this place?”
I bit my lip. “Yeah.”
I took a deep breath and flipped through my portfolio one last time. ‘Do you have that executive’s number? Tell them
we’re here.
1/4
Chapter 203
I was already here. Even if our contact turned out to be Scarlett Rose herself, I wouldn’t back down. If they wanted to work with me, I’d go through with it.
No other company would rush my designs to market in two months. I couldn’t afford to be picky.
‘On it, James said, already dialing while getting out of the car.
Blake’s POV
My phone rang. I answered with a frown. “You’re here?”
“Yes,” said a voice that sounded vaguely familiar. “Should we wait outside, or…?”
‘I’ll send someone to get you,” I said and hung up.
I looked at Laurel, who was propped against pillows, her face pale. “They’re here.”
Laurel bit her lip. “Blake darling, I just can’t wrap my head around this. Would someone really pretend to be my sister and design jewelry?”
“Rachel only ever told me about wanting to break into jewelry. She had this whole plan – I’d design, she’d invest, we’d build a sister company together.”
“How would anyone know that?”
Her voice cracked slightly. “And now this person is claiming my sister has just two months to live…”
“Do you think they found out Rachel isn’t actually dead? That she’s in a ve
ve state?”
She looked up at me with tears forming. “Do you think it’s true? That Rachel really only has two months?”
“We told everyone she died because Mom’s psychic said if we pretended she was dead, we could fool death into overlooking
her…”
“Death would think the job was done and move on, letting us keep her alive secretly…
“But now someone’s using her name, saying she’s dying in two months…”
Her voice shook. “Are they putting a curse on her? What if death notices?”
Seeing how genuinely worried she was, I took her hand with a sigh. “Let’s not jump to conclusions.”
“I’ve arranged for them to come up. We’ll meet them together and figure out who this person is, okay?”
“If it turns out to be someone with the same name who really is terminally ill, we should be understanding.”
Laurel sniffled and nodded. ‘I guess if it’s just a name coincidence, it’s sort of meant to be.”
I’d even promote her jewelry for free when it launches.”
She lowered her head as she spoke.
2/4
Chapter 203
Audrey’s POV
The servant led us to the same tea room I’d sat in before. My skin crawled as memories of my last visit here surfaced.
James, on the other hand, couldn’t contain his excitement. He bounced into a chair, looking around like a kid in a candy
store.
“This place is something else,” he whispered, practically giddy. “Every piece of furniture is old–growth Brazilian rosewood. Do you have any idea how rare and expensive that is?”
I made a few noncommittal sounds while arranging my designs.
Whoever our potential partner was, I’d show them my best work. Even if they ultimately rejected me because of who I was, they’d know my designs weren’t the problem.
The door opened and Nora came in with tea.
Last time, I’d only thought she looked familiar. But now that I knew Rachel was Laurel’s sister, everything clicked.
This was Rachel’s Nora – the one Rachel always said made the best meals.
I watched her pour tea and deliberately called out: “Nora Higgins?”
Her hand jerked, sloshing tea across the table. She grabbed napkins and began frantically mopping up the spill.
Her reaction said it all.
I reached out and caught her wrist. “You are Rachel’s Nora, aren’t you?”
She tried yanking her hand free. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“It is you,” I insisted, tightening my grip. “Please, where’s Rachel now? Is she still with her uncle overseas?”
Nora finally wrenched free. “I don’t know anything!”
She bolted from the room like she was running from a fire.
I jumped up to follow. “Nora, wait –
The words died in my throat as I saw Blake and Laurel coming down the stairs.
Blake was supporting Laurel, his hand steady on her arm. “Careful,” he murmured.
They both looked down at me.
Blake’s eyes widened with recognition, then narrowed. “Audrey Sinclair?‘
“What are you doing here?”
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