Chapter 224
Michael’s POV
*Mr. Parker was following you? I couldn’t hide my surprise.
“Yeah.” Audrey sighed, looking out the window. “All the way to Pinehaven Village.
“Pinehaven Village? That abandoned place?” I frowned, keeping my eyes on the road as Manhattan’s lights flashed by. ‘Did you go there knowing hed follow?
“I’m not that petty,” she said with a short laugh. “I was visiting the old clinic, remembering a friend.”
I nodded, thinking about the coincidence. “You know, Mr. Parker does something similar. He takes Miss Rose to a hospital on the other side of town to remember someone.”
I glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror, watching for a reaction.
“That area was almost a ghost town until Mr. Parker started visiting. Now it’s practically a landmark,” I continued. “The hospital’s been completely renovated. When Miss Rose was abroad, he’d still go on certain days and stay for hours.”
I paused. “You knew about this, right?”
“No,” she said simply. “I didn’t.”
“You didn’t?” The surprise in my voice was genuine.
Audrey’s lips curved into something between a smile and a grimace. “If Blake spent those days visiting a hospital with Laurel four years ago, then for the past three years, he’s probably been going there to remember her.”
Her voice turned bitter. “Why would he tell me about that?”
We pulled up to her apartment building. The streets were nearly empty at this hour.
“You can stop here,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I’ll walk from here. It’s late – you should get some rest.”
I pulled over without arguing. Something in her tone made it clear the conversation was over.
“Thanks,” she said, offering me a small smile as she opened the door. “Drive safe.”
I watched her walk toward the building, thinking about how different she was from Miss Rose. When I drove Laurel home late, she never cared if I was tired.
If she wanted a ride, I had to provide one, and she wouldn’t walk an extra step if she could help it.
I know it’s my job to cater to my boss’s needs, but someone like Audrey who thinks about others is just easier to like.
I closed my eyes, thinking about what she’d said about not knowing Mr, Parker’s hospital visits. Suddenly, it hit me.
She didn’t know because whenever he went, she was also gone. Every single time.
My eyes snapped open. If both Mr. Parker and Audrey commemorated their “friends” on exactly the same da
Could they possibly be remembering the same person?
Audrey’s POV
When I got home, Astrid was still awake, half–dozing on the sofa with Snow in her lap.
“Audrey!” She jerked upright when she heard the door, almost sending my cat flying.
1/3
Chapter 224
“You’re still up?” I asked, surprised to see her.
‘How could I sleep with you missing?” She put Snow down and rushed over, grabbing my arms. Where were you? Your phone was off! I called like fifty times!”
Her eyes were wide with worry. Another hour and I was calling the cops!*
Something warm settled in my chest seeing how much she cared.
‘I’m fine,‘ I said quietly.
‘You’ve got cancer, Audrey! Of course I panic when you disappear for hours!” She bit her lip, looking at me accusingly. “Spill it. Where were you? Battery die?‘
‘Just airplane mode,” I answered, heading to my room.
I grabbed my laptop and opened the phone tracking software. Soon I’d know exactly where Rachel was hidden. My heart raced at the thought of seeing her again after so long. If I’d known she was in New York all this time, I would’ve found her years ago.
“What are you doing?” Astrid peered over my shoulder at the screen, confusion written all over her face.
I explained my plan quietly.
“Holy shit!” Astrid’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head. “Rachel’s been in New York this whole time? The Roses are next–level secret–keepers!”
She shook her head in disbelief. “If Blake hadn’t followed you tonight and gotten that call from Laurel while you were together, we might never have known!”
I studied the moving dot on the screen. “Look at his route. Is that Twilight Mansion?”
Definitely looks like it,” Astrid confirmed, squinting at the green marker. “No wonder Mr. Rose never bothered denying those rumors about his wife having a boy toy there.”
She snorted. “They were hiding Rachel Hayes the whole time!”
But something wasn’t right. I frowned at the screen. “Wait, why’s he turning around? That’s not the way to Twilight.
“You’re right, Astrid said, leaning closer. “He’s… coming back this way?
way’?”
A knot formed in my stomach as I watched the marker change direction.
“That looks like he’s heading…” I trailed off.
Straight toward us.
Within minutes, the green dot had reached my apartment complex.
‘No way,” Astrid gasped. “Why’s he here? Rachel can’t be in this building!”
She looked at me nervously. “Audrey…”
“He caught me,” I said, closing my eyes.
Right on cue, Astrid’s phone rang, Blake Parker’s name lit up the screen.
‘Answer it?” Astrid whispered, holding the phone like it might bite her.
I nodded and took it from her. No point pretending now.
Chapter 224
“Michael’s bringing your phone back, Blake’s cool voice came through Immediately. Go downstairs and get it
Despite expecting this, the defeat still stung.
‘How did you know?” I asked quietly.
‘I called and you didn’t answer.” I could picture him leaning back in his car, tapping the steering wheel with those long fingers of his. “Someone as desperate for information about Rachel Hayes as you wouldn’t just turn off her phone after talking to me.’
“I figured you’d activated tracking and put it in airplane mode, So I searched the car.”
I closed my eyes. “Is Rachel at Twilight Mansion?*
“That’s none of your business.” His voice was ice. “Give up, Audrey. After tonight, Laurel will increase security around Rachel. You won’t get near her.”
The last bit of hope died. I gripped the phone tighter. “I just want to see her once.”
“Why won’t you let me –
“If you want to see her, go through proper channels,” he cut me off. “Don’t sneak around.”
He paused. “The Roses are powerful. If you break in and they claim you stole something, how would you explain yourself?
“Don’t make things worse for yourself,” he said, then hung up.
I stared at the phone, listening to the dial tone.
“Audrey…” Astrid said hesitantly. “Blake might have a point.”
She watched me carefully. “If Laurel hates you that much and you try sneaking in to see Rachel…”
“The Roses could easily claim you broke in or were trespassing.”
“You’d have no defense.”
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