Chapter 252
She clutched her chest. “Blake darling, I can’t breathe… Take me to the hospital?”
I frowned at her performance. “Michael, take Laurel to the hospital.”
“Yes, sir.” Michael stepped forward.
He extended his hand to Laurel. “Miss Rose, shall we go?”
Laurel glared at him with hatred, ignoring his outstretched hand.
“Blake darling,” she pleaded, “please take me yourself. I feel terrible… Rachel is missing without a trace. I’m afraid my emotions are too overwhelming.”
“If you’re so concerned about Rachel,” Astrid said coldly, “then you should want Blake to stay here and help search.”
“Your sister is missing, and your first instinct is to drag your fiancé away? Yet you claim you care about her?”
–
She turned to me. “And you don’t pretend to care about Audrey now. You deleted her from your life. Stop acting concerned. Take your precious Miss Rose and get out. You’re bringing bad luck!”
“Blake darling…” Laurel’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “Wait for me…”
I ignored her and walked toward the river. My mind focused on Audrey.
She grew up by the ocean. She’s an excellent swimmer. This thought gave me hope. When we had that accident near water, she pulled me out and cared for me all night. Now it’s my turn to find her.
Astrid’s POV
–
I sighed watching Blake head to the river with Laurel trailing him like a puppy. My phone rang – Ethan.
“Where are you?” he asked. “I need the accident location.”
“Hudson River, near Riverside Park. About half a mile north of the 79th Street Boat Basin.”
“I’ll be there soon,” he promised.
After hanging up, my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number:
“I’m Felix, We’re all fine, don’t worry.”
My heart nearly stopped. I typed back with shaking fingers:
“Where are you now?”
“Near Mayo Clinic. Audrey was worried about William Parker.”
Relief flooded through me.
1/3
Chapter 252
That’s amazing!”
“Just letting you know we’re safe. This is a borrowed phone. Delete these messages.”
I deleted the messages as instructed, my mind racing with questions. How had they escaped? Why fake the accident? But those could wait. They were alive that’s what mattered.
I scanned the riverbank carefully. Blake was talking to the police while taking off his dress shirt. Laurel stood behind him, looking sour.
I watched Blake pulling on his life vest, preparing to join the search. It was strange seeing Blake Parker, the untouchable CEO, standing among ordinary rescue workers.
Even dressed like everyone else, somethin
in the crowd.
in his bearing set him apart. One glance was all anyone needed to identify him
For a man who always places himself above others to go this far… does he actually have genuine feelings for Audrey?
Blake’s POV
“Sir!” Michael ran toward me. “Mayo Clinic just called. Mr. William Parker’s condition has worsened. They want you there
now.”
I stood there, stunned.
Laurel grabbed my arm. “Blake darling, we need to go. The police have this under control. William needs you more.”
She lowered her voice, eyes glistening. “You’re his only grandson. You can’t let him die with unfinished business.”
I stared at her. “What did you just say?”
I handed the life vest to a nearby worker. “The hospital only said his condition worsened. Now you’re talking about him dying?”
“I didn’t mean – ” she fumbled with her words. “I was just worried.”
“Worried?” I stepped around her toward Michael. “If you respected my grandfather, you wouldn’t use his life as a bargaining chip.”
I stopped for a moment. “You’re not the same person I knew.”
Walking away, I couldn’t shake the thought that the Laurel Rose of today was completely different from the woman who had supposedly saved me five years ago.
“Wait!” She hurried after me. “I just misspoke. I’m sorry.”
