Audrey’s POV
The moment we wheeled Rachel into the ballroom, we hit a wall of noise. The place was super packed, guests crammed shoulder to shoulder beneath sparkling chandeliers.
Astrid scanned the crowded room with wide eyes. “I had someone check the guest list when Blake and Laurel sent invitations. This place shouldn’t be so packed.”
I smiled slightly. “It’s because Parker Group and Rose Group are signing their partnership agreement today, with William overseeing it personally.”
“William may be retired, but he was once a legend in New York business. Everyone trying to make it here wants to connect with him,” I continued. “This is his first public appearance in over a decade to sign a business deal. People hoping to learn his secrets or build connections wouldn’t miss it.”
I glanced at Astrid. “With this many people, we’ll blend in better, don’t you think?”
Astrid froze for a moment, then her eyes lit up with understanding. “So William created this crowd on purpose!”
“I wondered why the partnership needed William when Blake could have signed it himself.” She shook her head in admiration. “Smart move. More people means we won’t stand out.”
She sighed. “William’s a good man. Too bad his descendants are such disappointments – his grandson’s a jerk and his granddaughter’s a total
airhead.”
“Astrid Wilson!”
A furious voice cut through the ambient chatter. I turned to see Thalia storming toward us, her gown swishing with each step. Behind her,
Laurel and Olivia followed at a short distance.
“Say that again about who’s an airhead, Thalia demanded, her face flushing.
Astrid turned to her with a cold smile. “Are you deaf?”
–
She cleared her throat and raised her voice. “I said the Parker family’s daughter – you are a brainless airhead.”
Thalia’s eyes bulged. “You crash our family’s engagement party, insult me to my face – do you have a death wish?”
She spun around, scanning the crowd before shouting, “Security! Remove this woman!”
The security guards posted at the entrance continued checking invitations, unaware of her completely.
Thalia’s face reddened as she yelled louder. “Security! Get over here now!*
Still nothing. Her outburst only drew curious stares from nearby guests.
Astrid smirked. “Save your voice, Miss Parker. They can’t hear you over this crowd.”
“Besides, didn’t you mention breaking into entertainment? Planning to sing?” She tapped her forehead. “Th Even with perfect vocal cords, you’d still sound terrible.”
I forgot – you’re tone–deaf.
She gestured gracefully. Go ahead, keep shouting. Let’s see what gives out first – your voice or security’s attention span.”
Thalia’s hands balled into fists at her sides. “Astrid Wilson!”
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Laurel glided forward, taking Thalia’s arm. “Don’t get worked up over this,‘ she said, her voice sweet but carrying just far enough for us to hear. “You’re not some backwoods girl without manners. No need to sink to their level,”
I gripped Rachel’s wheelchair handles and started turning around. ‘Let’s go, Astrid.
Before we could move, Thalia darted in front of us, blocking our path.
“Running away, ex–sister–in–law?” she taunted. “What’s wrong? Seeing how gorgeous Laurel looks tonight making you feel second–rate?
I frowned at her. “Move aside, Thalia. I’m not looking for a fight.”
“Why should I?” she challenged, planting herself more firmly.
Her eyes dropped to Rachel in the wheelchair, and her expression turned cruel. “Bringing a disabled person to a wedding? How thoughtful.
She leaned down, studying Rachel before laughing. “Oh my God, she’s a vegetable?”
Thalia straightened up. “What’s your angle here, Audrey? Bringing a vegetable to my brother’s engagement? Trying to remind Blake that he was once a vegetable too, and you took care of him?”
Her voice dropped. “Don’t you know being cared for by you is my brother’s most disgusting memory?”
I stared at her blankly, betraying nothing of what I felt inside. After a moment, I allowed a cold smile to touch my lips.
“You say Blake finds being cared for by me his most disgusting memory,” I said evenly. “Did you know that for me, the time I spent caring for Blake is also a memory I least want to recall?”
Blake’s POV
Hearing Audrey’s words, I froze mid–step.
The time I spent caring for Blake is also a memory I least want to recall.
Images flooded my mind – Audrey sitting beside my hospital bed for hours, reading to me, helping nurses turn me, massaging my limbs to prevent atrophy. Days and nights she spent alone caring for me. Though more than two years had passed, those memories remained vivid as yesterday.
I avoided thinking about that time. I didn’t want anyone mentioning it. Many assumed it was because I couldn’t bear the humiliation of having been helpless of having Audrey clean me, feed me, carry me.
But only I knew the truth. I feared revisiting those memories would make me vulnerable to her. I feared becoming captivated by her dedication
and care.
Because I was certain everything Audrey did for me had an ulterior motive. Even if she had sacrificed everything, fundamentally, she didn’t truly care for me. A man as proud as I had been all my life couldn’t allow himself to fall for a woman who didn’t reciprocate his feelings…
Even though I’d long suspected Audrey had no genuine feelings for me, hearing her say aloud that the time caring for me was a memory she’d rather forget sent waves of dull pain through my chest.
I remained hidden behind the pillar, unable to move forward or retreat.
Laurel stepped closer to Audrey, eyebrow raised. “How can you say that, Miss Sinclair?
“When you were taking care of Blake, he couldn’t talk or move.” She smiled. “Probably the only peaceful time in your three–year marriage. Now you’re saying you don’t want to remember it?”
“Right. Thalia jumped in. “After all that so–called devoted care, when my brother woke up, he immediately asked where Laurel was.”
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“Is that why you hate those memories? Thalia continued, her voice sharp. ‘Because you played nurse for months and my brother still didn’t give a damn about you?”
She looked down at the wheelchair. “And if you’re so desperate to forget, why drag a vegetable to my brother’s engagement?”
“What, is this thing supposed to be a guest tonight?”
Audrey looked straight at Laurel. “Since Miss Parker’s so curious…”
Why don’t you tell her who this person really is, Miss Rose?”
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