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Chapter 137
Audrey’s POV
After we finished at the boutique, Blake took us to Parker Group’s jewelry store. Despite the tension, I helped Laurel and Thalia pick pieces for tomorrow’s ceremony.
Blake was in an unusually good mood. He not only bought me the red dress but offered jewelry too, which I declined. I accepted the dress partly because I needed something formal, and partly out of defiance – if he wanted me at his proposal, I’d make damn sure I stood out.
By evening, I dragged my exhausted body into a taxi and headed home.
I kicked off my heels at the door and changed into soft loungewear. Every muscle ached from the day’s tension.
“Snow,” I called. A white ball of fluff emerged from under the sofa and trotted over to nuzzle my ankles.
I scooped him up, burying my face in his fur. “At least you’re always happy to see me.”
Setting Snow down, I grabbed water and collapsed onto my sofa. The day with Blake and the Parker women had drained me completely.
At this moment, my phone rang. I reached for it, expecting Astrid checking in after my day with the
Parkers. I wanted to tell her about Blake’s weird behavior.
Instead, the screen showed Richard Sinclair. My biological father.
I stared at the phone, old memories surfacing. The Sinclairs‘ nanny had a niece born around the same time as me. Seeing an opportunity, she swapped us before I was a month old, sending me to a small town while her niece Victoria took my place in the mansion.
Growing up wasn’t easy. My foster parents had heavy hands and heavier expectations. Victoria, meanwhile, enjoyed everything that should have been mine.
At seventeen, Victoria’s kidneys failed. The Sinclairs needed a family donor, and blood tests exposed
the truth.
I remember the burst of hope when I learned what happened. This was my ticket out my chance at the loving family I’d never had./
Reality hit hard. The Sinclairs might have taken me in, but they never truly accepted me. Richard, Elaine, and Victoria remained a tight unit. I was just the biological inconvenience who’d shown up too late.
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During my marriage to Blake, Richard stayed distant. Only after Blake woke from hla coma dia. Richard suddenly remember he had a daughter – now conveniently married to a business tycoon, Ill last call came two months ago, fishing for a partnership with Blake’s company. Every conversation was a transaction, never a check–in.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Victoria keeps mentioning how long it’s been since she’s seen her sister and brother–in–law,” Richard said without greeting.
Classic Richard – straight to the point.
“Tomorrow is Victoria’s birthday. Bring Mr. Parker to celebrate,” he continued, his tone leaving no
room for discussion.
I put the phone on speaker and set it down. With my free hand, I picked up Snow, rubbing his plump
paws.
“Also, order that cake Victoria liked from your mother’s birthday. Make it three tiers – Victoria’s inviting friends.”
When I didn’t immediately respond, his tone sharpened. “Audrey Sinclair, are you listening?”
“I’m listening,” I replied.
“Then why aren’t you responding?” he demanded. “When an elder speaks, you acknowledge them. Basic etiquette. You’ve been away from that small town for years. How have you not learned even
this much?”
I rubbed my temples. “Last time I responded while you were speaking, you told me not to interrupt my elders.”
“Now I stay quiet, and that’s wrong too.”
“I’m your father! You should listen to whatever I say. How dare you talk back?” Richard’s voice rose. “Is this how they raised you in that town? No respect!”
I sighed. The Sinclairs had never liked me. While other women could confide in their parents during marital problems, I couldn’t even tell them about my terminal cancer. Yet in their eyes, everything I
did was wrong.
“Enough,” Richard declared. “I’m calling to remind you about Victoria’s birthday. Order the cake, get a gift, and bring Mr. Parker!”
As he was about to hang up, I interrupted, “Mr. Sinclair.”
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Chapter 137
During my marriage to Blake, Richard stayed distant. Only after Blake woke from his come did. Richard suddenly remember he had a daughter – now conveniently married to a business tycoon. His last call came two months ago, fishing for a partnership with Blake’s company. Every conversation was a transaction, never a check–in.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Victoria keeps mentioning how long it’s been since she’s seen her sister and brother–in–law, Richard said without greeting.
Classic Richard – straight to the point.
“Tomorrow is Victoria’s birthday. Bring Mr. Parker to celebrate,” he continued, his tone leaving no
room for discussion.
I put the phone on speaker and set it down. With my free hand, I picked up Snow, rubbing his plump
paws.
“Also, order that cake Victoria liked from your mother’s birthday. Make it three tiers – Victoria’s inviting friends.”
When I didn’t immediately respond, his tone sharpened. “Audrey Sinclair, are you listening?”
“I’m listening,” I replied.
“Then why aren’t you responding?” he demanded. “When an elder speaks, you acknowledge them. Basic etiquette. You’ve been away from that small town for years. How have you not learned even
this much?”
I rubbed my temples. “Last time I responded while you were speaking, you told me not to interrupt my elders.”
“Now I stay quiet, and that’s wrong too.”
“I’m your father! You should listen to whatever I say. How dare you talk back?” Richard’s voice rose. “Is this how they raised you in that town? No respect!”
I sighed. The Sinclairs had never liked me. While other women could confide in their parents during marital problems, I couldn’t even tell them about my terminal cancer. Yet in their eyes, everything I
did was wrong.
“Enough,” Richard declared. “I’m calling to remind you about Victoria’s birthday. Order the cake, get a gift, and bring Mr. Parker!”
As he was about to hang up, I interrupted, “Mr. Sinclair.”
Chapter 137
I took a breath. You remember tomorrow Is Victoria’s birthday. Do you recall when mine 1.7.
I was born two days earlier than Victoria – me on the 15th, her on the 17th. Due to our switched Identities, our birthdays were reversed in official records. For seventeen years, I thought my birthday was the 17th until our identities were corrected. Though records couldn’t be changed, I started celebrating on the 15th, which is why my friends came yesterday. Victoria now celebrated on the 17th.
The Sinclairs had celebrated Victoria’s birthday on the 15th for seventeen years. After our switch, they developed selective amnesia – forgetting anyone had a birthday on the 15th, only remembering the 17th was their precious Victoria’s day.
Silence filled the line. “Your birthday…”
“Oh, it was yesterday,” he finally said.
“What, you feel ignored because we didn’t wish you happy birthday?” He sounded defensive. “We’re busy. If you don’t remind us, how are we supposed to remember?”
I let out a cold laugh. “Is it that you can’t remember, or don’t want to?
“Isn’t that the same thing?” Richard dismissed. “Fine. Happy birthday. Satisfied?”
He immediately pivoted back. “Now tomorrow, remember to bring Mr. Park…”
“Mr. Sinclair,” I cut in. “Haven’t you seen the news? Blake Parker and I are divorced.”
“What kind of joke is this?”
“You and Mr. Parker? Divorced?” Richard sounded genuinely shocked. “When he woke up, he
promised to remember how you cared for him, that he’d never look down on you…”
“I was the one who filed for divorce,” I said coldly.
“Impossible!” Richard exclaimed. “You adored him! Even married him while he was in a coma. How
could you file for divorce?”
His voice turned suspicious. “You’re making excuses because you don’t want to buy Victoria a gift or
bring Mr. Parker, aren’t you?”
Instead of arguing, I sent a news link about my divorce to Victoria’s phone. I knew she’d be listening
- in.
“They really are divorced!” A woman’s voice came through immediately.
No surprise hearing Victoria. I’d sent the link to her instead of Richard because I knew when he
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called, Victoria and Elaine would be listening.
Multiple voices erupted in the background: “Really divorced?*
“They actually got divorced!”
“How could this…”
“If you doubt it, check other news sources,” I said, exhaustion creeping into my voice. “Blake Parker and I are divorced. I don’t have money for expensive cakes or gifts, so I won’t be coming tomorrow.
Before I could hang up, Richard’s voice sharpened. “The news says you left with nothing. Is that reporters‘ mistake, or did you want people to think you’re not after money?”
“I did leave with nothing,” I confirmed. “During these three years, I didn’t contribute much. The money was all earned by Blake, and I don’t want what I didn’t earn.”
“How can you call that unearned?” Richard practically shouted. “This is what you deserve! You took care of him through his coma, changed his diapers! After he woke, you were the perfect wife! Taking his money is only fair!”
“No, I still don’t believe you left with nothing,” Richard said. “You must be afraid we’ll ask for money! I’m calling Blake Parker right now to ask how much you actually…”
Finally losing my composure, I spoke firmly into the phone.
“I strongly advise you not to contact Blake Parker at this time.”
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