Chapter 138
Audrey’s POV
“Blake Parker is busy planning his proposal to his girlfriend tomorrow,” I said, frost in my voice. “If you want to make him angry and ruin his mood, go ahead and call him right now about my divorce
settlement details!”
Richard went quiet. I could practically see him recalculating, unwilling to jeopardize his potential
meal ticket.
I hung up without another word and immediately switched my phone off, tossing it onto the coffee table. The world instantly fell quiet.
I closed my eyes and breathed in the silence. After a hot shower, I wrapped myself in a soft robe, feeling some of the day’s tension wash away. When I checked my phone again, the screen lit up with notifications over a dozen missed calls and texts, all from Victoria..
I scrolled through the messages, each more desperate than the last:
Audrey, I don’t think Laurel deserves Blake. Should you try to win him back?
Let’s work together to get him back, okay?
You were with Blake for three years. There must be feelings there. I think you two could reconcile.
A laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. The audacity was almost impressive.
Victoria had barely hidden her attraction to Blake during our marriage. Each time I brought him to the Sinclair home – which I could count on one hand – she’d practically draped herself over him, finding excuses to touch his arm or laugh at his mildest comments.
Now she wanted us to “work together“? Her intentions couldn’t be more transparent if they were
written in neon.
I typed a cold reply: If you like Blake Parker, I support you pursuing him. Just leave me out of it.
Her response came instantly: Really? Can I really pursue Blake Parker?
I smirked, typing deliberately: Of course. If you like him, go for it.
I pictured her excitement, completely oblivious to the futility of her plan. Either she vastly overestimated her appeal or completely underestimated Laurel’s hold on Blake. Probab
oth.
Still, Victoria had guts. Walking straight into rejection, but at least she had the nerve to try.
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Chapter 138
I pulled up some jewelry design videos with Show purring in my lap. The combination of technical discussion and my cat’s warmth lulled me to sleep.
I woke the next morning with a stiff neck, my phone hot from playing videos all night. As I set it down to cool, I noticed a message from Ethan.
My heart quickened, expecting more dirt on Parker–Rose Studio. Instead, I found a simple smiley face followed by: Happy Birthday to you!
I blinked in surprise before replying: My official records have the wrong date. My birthday was two days ago. But thank you for the wishes.
Then I can only wish you a belated happy birthday, he responded. I have a gift prepared for you though. Even if it’s not your birthday today, I still want to give it to you.
What gift? I asked, curious despite myself.
You’ll find out later, he wrote with a laughing emoji.
Thank you in advance for the birthday gift, I replied and got ready for work.
At Original Studio, I dove straight into my design revisions. Time dissolved as I fine–tuned each element, adjusting gemstone placements and metal thicknesses. This was my element – creating beautiful things that would outlast me.
I only snapped out of my design trance when James rapped his knuckles on my desk. Glancing up, I realized the office had emptied out hours ago. My coworkers had all gone home while I’d vanished into my work again.
The clock read 6:30. I rolled my shoulders, wincing at the stiffness, then packed up my things. My phone rang the moment I stepped outside – Astrid.
“Audrey!” she exclaimed. “You won’t believe what I just received. Blake Parker’s assistant delivered an invitation to me! For tonight at Four Seasons Hotel!”
I stopped walking. “What?”
“I know, right? Blake Parker invited me to his proposal to Laurel Rose!”
My mind raced. Blake inviting me was strange enough, but Astrid too? They barely knew each other outside of me.
“What the hell is he thinking?” Astrid continued, her voice rising. “He’s proposing t
urel but
invites his ex–wife AND her best friend? Does he want the whole world watching? Doesn’t he know I have a temper? What if I cause a scene?”
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“Let’s go see what it’s about,” I said finally.
“What?”
“Let’s go. I need company anyway, and since he invited you too, you might as well join me.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking!” Astrid laughed. “I’ve already picked out my dress. I want to see what kind of proposal Blake Parker has planned a month in advance!”
I thought about the red dress Blake had bought me yesterday, a cold smile forming. “Astrid, come pick me up at my place later.”
The Four Seasons Hotel glowed against the darkening sky as our car pulled up. Astrid whistled low
beside me.
“They’ve gone all out, haven’t they?”
I nodded, taking in the elaborate decorations. White and gold flower arrangements adorned the entrance, but something seemed off. As we approached, I noticed cards tucked among the blooms, each bearing the same message: “Happy Birthday!”
Streamers and balloons in the same color scheme floated everywhere, all carrying the same birthday
wishes.
Astrid froze beside me. “Wait a minute. Shouldn’t it say ‘Congratulations on Your Engagement‘ or something? Why does everything say ‘Happy Birthday‘?”
I studied the decorations, equally confused. “It doesn’t look like a mistake.”
“But whose birthday is it?” Astrid pulled out her phone, checking the date. “Laurel Rose’s? I thought her birthday was in winter, not summer…”
As I stood there, a ridiculous thought bubbled up: Could Blake have planned all this for… me?
The insistence that I attend, the dress he bought me, these birthday decorations – they created a pattern that made my heart beat faster.
But that couldn’t be right. My birthday wasn’t today. During our three years together, I’d never made a big deal of my birthday, but I always bought a cake and cooked a nice dinner. Blake’s gifts were usually last–minute, but he had been there for my birthdays.
Could it be possible that after three years of marriage, he still didn’t know the correct date? The thought was both laughable and painful.
“Well, well, you actually showed up.”
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Thalia’s cold voice cut through my thoughts. She approached us, wearing the pink dress from yesterday, her expression smug.
“And brought your little sidekick too,” she added, eyeing Astrid with disdain.
“Such bright colors,” she continued, scanning my red dress and Astrid’s deep blue gown. Too bad you’re not the stars tonight.”
“Should I thank you both on Laurel’s behalf for coming to witness her special moment?”
“If thanks are due, Laurel can deliver them herself,” Astrid shot back.
Thalia’s expression hardened instantly. “You think you’re honored guests? Let me warn you both my brother is proposing to Laurel tonight. If either of you ruins this, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
I studied Thalia’s confident expression, doubt creeping in. Had I misread everything? Were these birthday decorations just a strange coincidence?
“Thalia,” I said slowly, “are you certain tonight’s event is Blake proposing to Laurel?”
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