Blake’s POV
When I said I didn’t oppose the will, I expected to see relief or excitement flash across Audrey’s face. Nothing. No reaction showing she cared about inheriting Grandfather’s fortune. Instead, her eyes held something unexpected – a hint of sadness and resignation.
This left me confused.
Memories from two years ago flooded back. I’d overheard a conversation between Audrey and her family when they
thought no one was listening.
“I married Blake Parker, what else would it be for if not money?” she had said. “He was a vegetable when I married him!”
“Yes, it was for the money,” she’d continued. “Blake may have been comatose, but I knew that marrying him meant the Parker family would take care of me financially.”
Her final words had been the most painful: “Now you can all see I made the right bet. Blake woke up. My future is set with
wealth and status. You all need to treat me better from now on!”
Those words had shattered me when I’d been planning to tell her how I’d realized I was falling for her.
That night I booked a flight abroad. Told my assistant to make up some business emergency. Truth was, I couldn’t stand being in the same house with her. For three months, I stayed away, buried in work until I could barely remember my own name, letting her calls go to voicemail.
After that, I kept my distance, convinced she was only with me for financial gain. I’d fulfill my obligation as her husband,
and that was it.
But now, watching her apparent indifference to receiving sixty percent of Grandfather’s assets – one of New York’s largest fortunes I felt bewildered.
–
I seem to understand Audrey less and less.
Thalia’s outburst snapped me back to reality. She grabbed my arm like someone possessed.
“Blake, have you lost your mind?” she snapped. “You know why Audrey married into our family – for our money and
status!”
Her voice turned shrill. “Now Grandfather’s giving her sixty percent of his assets just like that? How can you allow this?”
She glared at me. “You run Parker Group, You know exactly what sixty percent of Grandfath ‘s assets means! Why should Parker family money go to her?”
I shifted my gaze from Audrey to Thalia, keeping my voice level.
“Grandfather built Parker Group from nothing,” I said. “Our success is because of him. Without his work, none of this
would exist.”
I continued, “Now that he’s older, if he wants to divide his personal assets as he chooses, what right do we have to object?”
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Though I didn’t say it aloud, I never planned to oppose Grandfather’s decision. I understood his personality, and I knew how much Audrey had done for him. Even if her motives were calculated, she made his later years happier. The compensation amount should be his decision alone.
Thalia’s eyes widened. She bit her lip, tears forming. “But we’re his actual family! I’m his granddaughter!”
Her voice cracked. “How can he give everything to an outsider?”
I handed her a tissue. “Hasn’t Grandfather already explained this?”
I kept my tone even. “Audrey has taken bette
care of him than anyone. She’s spent time doing things he enjoys. Is it
strange that he’s grown fond of her?”
Instead of responding, Thalia pulled out her phone and dialed Laurel’s number on speaker.
“Thalia?” Laurel’s gentle voice came through. “What is it?”
Thalia launched into her complaint. “Laurel, you need to do something about my brother!*
“He’s divorced Audrey, is about to get engaged to you, but he’s still defending her at every turn!”
She continued, “Grandfather is terminally ill and wants to give sixty percent of his assets to Audrey! Mom and I have been trying to stop this! But my brother is taking her side! He says this is what Audrey deserves!”
Her voice broke. “I’m Grandfather’s real granddaughter! Why would he give family assets to an outsider? Laurel, Blake must still have feelings for Audrey. He wants to get back with her! He’s planning to cheat on you!”
She finished dramatically: “If you don’t act soon, he’ll be having an affair right under your nose!”
“Thalia!” I snapped. “What the hell are you saying?”
She looked wounded. “Am I wrong?”
Her accusation came out sharp: “When you supported Grandfather’s decision, you couldn’t take your eyes off Audrey!”
“The way you looked at her was more tender than how you ever look at Laurel!”
Her words brought sudden silence to the room.
Meanwhile, Audrey was pouring tea for Grandfather. At Thalia’s accusation, her hand jerked, spilling hot tea onto her skin.
“Ah!” she gasped in pain.
I immediately looked toward her, already moving in her direction.
Grandfather glanced at her reddening hand. “Careless,” he muttered, then looked at me. “Get the medical kit.”
Instead of calling a servant as I normally would, I found myself retrieving the kit myself.
“Apply medicine for Audrey,” Grandfather instructed, making room beside her.
I hesitated briefly, frowning, but then sat next to Audrey. I opened the kit, found the burn ointment, and prepared to treat
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her hand.
Audrey’s POV
“Don’t bother,” I said, shifting away. “It’s just a small burn…”
Blake ignored me and grabbed my wrist. Without a word, he started applying the ointment to my burned skin.
The cool medicine against my skin made my heart skip. I glanced at him as he concentrated on my hand. From this angle, I could see the sharp lines of his profile clearly. It had been so long since I’d been this close to him.
Thalia’s words echoed in my mind. She claimed Blake had been looking at me tenderly. Could that be true? His eyes when looking at me had always been cold and distant. I’d thought his warmth was exclusively for Laurel.
From the phone in Thalia’s hand, Laurel’s voice broke the silence.
“Thalia,” she said softly, “don’t fight with Blake. I’m sure he has his reasons.”
She let out a sigh. “After all, Audrey left the marriage without taking anything. Maybe he feels he owes her something. Besides, Audrey grew up poor. Her relationship with money is different from ours.”
“When she divorced Blake without asking for anything, it was probably just pride… she likely regrets it now. We should understand her position. She had a rough childhood, and even the Sinclairs never truly accepted her…”
Her final comment was pointed. “Without some financial settlement, I worry she might disrupt our wedding…”
William’s face darkened with each word. Finally, he exploded.
“What exactly are you implying?” he demanded. “What do you mean Audrey ‘made me‘ give her assets? What’s this about her disrupting your wedding?”
He was nearly shouting. “Audrey isn’t the schemer you’re making her out to be!”
Seeing William getting worked up, I walked over to Thalia and took the phone from her hand.
“Miss Rose,” I said coolly, “thank you for making decisions for me.”
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