Chapter 230
Blake’s POV
Astrid’s voice carried clearly through the thin walls of this old building.
‘Do you regret marrying him?”
Hearing this question, I frowned, unconsciously tightening my grip on the keys in my hand.
In truth, I also wanted to know – during those three years of marriage, had Audrey ever regretted being with me?
But long after Astrid’s question, no response came from Audrey. The air in the hallway felt as stifling as it must have been inside the apartment.
After a lengthy silence, I slid my key into the lock and stepped inside my newly rented apartment.
The place was barren. I sat on the leather sofa and listened to the conversation next door.
“Astrid, drop it,” Ethan said. “If Audrey doesn’t want to talk about it, don’t push her.”
“I think she must have liked Parker at some point,” he added. “It’s just that he disappointed her.”
A cold laugh cut through the wall – Audrey’s laugh, but without any warmth.
“He didn’t disappoint me,” she said. “I never expected anything from him.”
‘Blake Parker and I were always from different worlds,” she continued. “When I married him, he was still a vegetative patient.”
“If he’d never woken up, we would have lived peacefully. But he did wake up.” I heard ice clinking against glass. “From the day he woke up, I knew we’d eventually divorce.”
She paused. “So I have no regrets. If I had another chance, I’d probably make the same choice.”
My hands clenched into fists. So that was our marriage to her a mistake she’d willingly repeat.
The conversation shifted. Soon laughter filled the air as they planned her jewelry launch to rehash old stories I’d never been part of. I sat alone in the dark, struck by how different Audrey sounded with them – relaxed, playful, nothing like the cold woman she was around me.
Not once did they mention my name or anyone from the Parker family. It was as if I and the entire Parker family didn’t matter to her at all.
My mind drifted back to Pinehaven Village, to how her eyes lit up when she spoke about the man she’d once liked. I’d never seen that look directed at me.
I grabbed a bottle of wine from the counter, not bothering with a glass. My phone buzzed with Laurel’s message:
“Blake darling, I’ve tried these three dresses and can’t decide which is best for the engagement. Could I wear all of them?”
I looked at the images without interest, locked the screen, and set it aside.
Audrey’s POV
“It’s getting late,” I said, checking my watch. “Ethan, don’t you have classes tomorrow?”
Ethan finished his beer and nodded. “Yeah, I should head back.”
I called him a taxi and went downstairs to see him off. The night air felt good against my face as we waited.
“Text me when you get to your dorm,” I reminded him.
1/3
Chapter 230
Ethan smiled, cheeks flushed from the alcohol. “Audrey, you’re really something.”
I wish I’d met you three years earlier,” he added, words slightly slurred.
“You’re thinking too much. It wouldn’t have made any difference.”
“Why not?”
I sighed. “I’ve been in love with Blake Parker for five years. Even if we’d met three years ago, I wouldn’t have changed my mind.”
The taxi pulled up.
“Ethan, we work best as friends. Or you can think of me as your sister.”
He gave me a sad smile. “I know.”
As he climbed in, he rolled down the window. “I’ll text when I get back.”
“You better,‘ I warned.
“Bye,” he said, eyes lingering on my face. “Sister.”
I watched until the taxi disappeared, then headed inside. When the elevator opened on my floor, I noticed keys hanging from the lock next door.
So our new neighbor’s moved in. Careless enough to leave their keys in the door.
I considered knocking but decided against it. It was late, and I didn’t know who they were.
Back in my apartment, Astrid had fallen asleep on the couch. I removed the wine glass from her hand and covered her with a blanket.
After cleaning up, I took the trash out. The keys were still in my neighbor’s door.
Still there? Maybe they’re not home.
As I approached the elevator, I heard a key turning. Looking back, I saw the keys in my neighbor’s door moving slightly, then stopping.
I waited, curious to meet them, but nothing happened. Eventually, I continued to the trash chute. When I returned, the keys hadn’t moved.
Weird. Seemed like they were about to open the door but changed their mind when they heard me.
I reached for my own doorknob, feeling oddly uncomfortable.
Looks like my new neighbor’s avoiding me. I’m just a neighbor, not some monster.
I closed my door firmly and had barely taken two steps when I heard a door opening, followed by quick footsteps and the elevator ping.
Blake’s POV
“Blake darling, finally!”
My car had barely stopped at the mansion when Laurel rushed over, eyes red and swollen. She yanke straight into my arms.
‘I sent people to your house,” she said. “They said you weren’t home or at the office…”
or open and threw herself into the backseat,
She looked at my face, tears still wet on her cheeks. “Then you didn’t answer my messages. I thought something happened…”
She bit her lip and pressed against my chest. “I was so worried.”
2/3
Chapter 230
“We’re getting engaged soon. Why not move in here tonight? We could take care of Rachel together.
I frowned at her clinging to me. I’m fine.”
If Michael hadn’t called about Laurel planning to bring people to my grandfather’s house, I wouldn’t be here this late.
“But I was worried,” she insisted. “You didn’t answer me…”
I closed my eyes. “Laurel, I need my own space.”
‘It’s ten at night. If I don’t answer, maybe I’m sleeping? Why jump to conclusions?”
Her face went pale. “But I couldn’t find you.”
I rubbed my temple. “Why did you need to find me so urgently at this hour?”
She just stared, no words coming out.
“Laurel,” I said quietly, “you’re becoming less and less like the girl I remember.”
“The Laurel I knew five years ago wouldn’t throw a fit this late just because I missed some texts. And she’d never drag my grandfather into it.”
She stared at me, face going white.
I pried her away from my chest. “Our engagement isn’t real, and you know it. I won’t be moving in with you – not before, not after.”
“There aren’t many people in this world who could actually hurt me. When I don’t answer you, I’m either sleeping or busy. That’s it.”
I took a deep breath. “You used to understand boundaries. Don’t pull this again, calling Michael, hunting down my grandfather. This stops now.”
‘Next time, I won’t care that you once saved my life or that you’re sick. That won’t matter. My grandfather is off–limits. Always has been.”
I reached across her and pushed the door open. “Go home.”
“Those dresses – I saw them. None of them suit you. Pick something else.”
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