Chapter 17: Have You Ever Seen Me as Your Wife?
Audrey’s POV
A bitter smile curved my lips at Blake’s furlous question. Just
about to respond with everything I’d bald bark for three years
out. “Audrey dear,” Laurel s voice cut in, “what’s this about… renting? Blak isn’t some commodity to be leased cest
Looking at Laurel’s exaggerated performance made my stomach tor took a sip of the orange julee William had specially prepared for me, my voice coming out cool and composed:
sat rigidly in his chair. “Dont)
“Oh?” I met her gaze steadily. “I think I’m being perfectly accurate turned to face Blake, who sat agree, Mr. Parket?”
The formal address made his jaw clench. Good. Let him feel a fraction of the pain I’d been carrying
I looked around slowly, my voice carrying across the silent ballroom. Actually, why don’t you weigh in on this, Mr. Parker? we’re all here together.”
The pain in my abdomen intensified, but I refused to let it show. Not now. Not when I was finally ready to say everything I’d been holding back for three years.
William isn’t well, and this is his birthday celebration.” My voice came out cold, stripped of all the warmth I’d once held for thin family. “That’s the only reason I’ve tolerated this behavior until now
I watched Blake’s expression darken, saw Laurel s perfectly manicured hand reach for his arm. The gesture made something snap
inside me.
“Three years of marriage,” I continued, each word precise and cutting “You didn’t know when I was sick. Didn’t care when I was pregnant.” I turned to face the gathered crowd, no longer bothering to keep this private. “When I was losing our child at Mayo Clinic, you were putting on a show at JFK, welcoming Miss Rose back from Europe.”
As I said this, I could feel every heartbeat pounding through my body, but I wasn’t done. Not yet.
“During my recovery from the miscarriage, you were too busy attending galas in Los Angeles with Miss Rose to check on me.” My voice didnt waver. “And now, at William’s birthday celebration, you jump off stage to catch her in your arms.”
I met his eyes directly. “Have you ever seen me as your wife?”
I’d practiced these words too many times to count before tonight, alone in my room, in front of my mirror. I thought I was ready. Thought I could say it all without flinching.
But standing here now, watching his face as 1 ripped open three years of carefully hidden wounds – it still hurt.
My stomach cramped violently. The painkillers I’d taken before coming here were wearing off, but I couldn’t let it show. Not now. My hands curled into fists, my body slightly trembling.
Around us, whispers erupted. From the corner of my eye, I could see the shocked faces of New York’s elite – the same people who d watched mo play the perfect Parker wife for three years. The woman who never complained, who smiled through every slight, who maintained composure no matter what.
I caught Rebecca’s open mouthed stare, saw Elizabeth lean over to whisper something to Olivia. They’d never wen me like this. Never thought I’d dare to speak up.
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Chapter 17: Have You Ever Seen Me as Your Wife?
Blake’s face darkened with each word I’d spoken, but something else hickered in his expression. For the first time since I’d knows him, the CEO who could silence a room with one cold look seemed at a loss for words.
“Audrey…” Laurel’s voice turned fragile, practiced vulnerability replacing her earlier smugness. Blake didnt know about the miscarriage when he came to pick me up. And the LA galawe hust happened to run into each other…
A bitter laugh escaped me. “And Just now? When Blake abandoned and even his grandfather on stage to catch you was that coincidence too?”
Blake stood up abruptly, moving to shield Laurel. “She’s unwell,” he growled. Her stomachs bothering her. Am I not allowed to tho
concern?
The concem in his voice struck me as darkly ironic. Here I was, with Jerminal gastric cancer, spending erantless sleepless nights doubled over in pain. My husband had never noticed, never bothered to ask why I’d grown so thin.
Yet Laurel had been back for
k for less than two weeks, and her slightest stomach discomfort sent him into a panic.
It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to care. He just didn’t think I was worth caring about..
“Of course you are. I gave a peaceful smile. “Care for her all you want, I’m done trying to stop you.”
My hands didn’t shake as I pulled out the divorce papers. ‘I’m divorcing Mr. Blake Parker, I announced to the silent room. “Ending our three years of loveless marriage, and I’ll no longer be Mrs. Parker
1 paused, scanning Laurel and the crowd of New York’s elite. “Miss. Rose… or other ladies who’ve had their eye on Mr. Parker but were too principled to be a homewrecker might want to step forward now. My smile turned razor–sharp. “Only the best woman can win the position of Mrs. Parker.”
At my words, I watched the gleam of triumph in Laurel’s eyes turn dark. Of course
hadn’t 17
I’d just publicly labeled her as a homewrecker.
I could read the rage in Blake’s expression, his hands into fists, his fry barely contained. The look he gave me promised a storm. To him, our marriage was between us – my asking for divorce was just another tantrum he could overlook. But announcing our divorce in front of the Parker family’s social circle, laying bare his relationship with Laurel piece by piece? That was unforgivable.
up my mind, I will no longer
“One last thing.” I took a deep breath, my gaze sweeping over to Rebecca and Thalia. “Since I’ve made up tolerate any abuse from the Parker family, Consider this fair warning
“You scheming little bitch.” Thalia’s voice cut through the shocked silence. “Getting ahead of the inevitable eviction, aren’t you? Three years enjoying Parker luxury, and you couldn’t even carry a child to term.”
The mention of my stillborn child sent a sudden sharp pang through my heart, but I kept my expression calm.
“Thalia!” Blake’s brow furrowed, either finding her words dropped low, trying to rein in his sister.
ls too h
harsh on deciding this scene had gone on long enough. His voice
But she wasn’t done. “No wonder the baby couldn’t survive in someone as toxic as you.” Her voice rose with each word. “You must know you’re worth less to my brother than a single strand of Laurels hair. Just a country girl who manipulated her way in while my brother was in a coma.
The pain medication had completely worn off now. Every breath sent daggers through my abdomen, but th~hysical pain was nothing compared to the words being hurled at me. Three years of careful composure, of being the perfec an instant.
ker wife, crumbled in
The sound of my palm connecting with Thalia’s check echoed through the ballroom.
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Chapter 17: Have You Ever Seen Me as Your Wife?
For a moment, everything stopped.
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