Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO
Chapter 225
Audrey’s POV
I set down the phone and looked up at Astrid.
“Astrid, the clock’s ticking,” I said quietly. “You know that now. Two months is just what Dr. Evans put on paper.
‘Let’s be real about late–stage gastric cancer. In a few weeks, I’ll probably be stuck in some ICU bed with tubes coming out of me. I opened my eyes and met her gaze. “Then what? Think the Roses will let me visit Rachel when I can’t even walk?”
My fists clenched at my sides. All I could think about was Rachel lying alone at Twilight Mansion while I was shut out.
The color drained from Astrid’s face as reality sank in.
“Jesus, Audrey,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You can’t waste what little time you have fighting those people. If they catch you sneaking around their property…”
She couldn’t finish the sentence. We both knew I couldn’t afford to get tied up in legal battles now.
Astrid wiped her eyes and sat beside me, taking my cold hand in her warm one.
‘Look, I get it. Rachel was with you through hell before I even came along. You two are/practically sisters.” She squeezed my hand. “But there’s gotta be another way.”
She glanced down at my hand, now little more than skin and bone. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid? Anything that would give them ammo against you?”
I stared at our hands for a long moment before pulling mine away.
Astrid’s face fell. “Audrey – ”
Before she could finish, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close.
“I promise,” I mumbled against her shoulder. “Four years without Rachel, and you never left my side. You both matter to me equally. I’d never rank one friend over another.”
Astrid broke down, tears streaming down her face. “Seeing you this worked up over Rachel, I did feel jealous for a second there,” she admitted. “Thanks for not making me feel like crap about it.”
She wiped her face with her sleeve. “God, why you? You’re too good for this shit. Twenty–five and dying of cancer? What kind of cosmic joke is that?”
I managed a smile. ‘Could be worse. At least I had you guys.”
If only I’d never crossed paths with Blake Parker, I thought to myself. Everything might have been different.
Laurel’s POV
I stood in the cold night air watching Blake’s car. He was still inside, wreathed in cigarette smoke, finishing a call. His jaw was set, face tense in the dim glow of the dashboard lights.
He hadn’t noticed me waiting. Typical.
My mind raced through the evening’s events, piecing everything together. It had started with Victoria Sinclair’s call. At first, I thought she was lying about Blake and Audrey being together at a Michelin restaurant. I’d gone there anyway.
Victoria was waiting there, broke. I’d paid for her meal, and she spilled everything – how Blake used her as bait for Audrey, then ditched Victoria to chase after Audrey.
My hands shook as I remembered what came next. The highway surveillance footage showed Audrey leading Blake to Pinehaven Village – the place I’d spent
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years trying to erase.
Five years ago, when I claimed to be the woman who saved Blake, I knew someone might expose me. So I had my uncle By Pinehaven and demblik especially the clinic. Then I built a similar village on the other side of town, complete with a renovated hospital. I paid people to back my story took wate there regularly to “remember Rachel.
The Rose family had gotten used to Blake’s protection and money. When I came back from Europe, my parents made it clear I needed to marry Blake Gre I became Mrs. Parker, we’d be New York royalty.
But now Audrey had taken Blake back to Pinehaven. If he figured out what I’d done, everything would fall apart. That’s why I’d called with that Bulls about Rachel – to get him away from there.
Blake finally put out his cigarette and got out, walking toward me with an unreadable expression.
‘Why are you out here?‘ he asked, eyebrows raised.
“Watching you,” I said. “I came out the second your car pulled up, but you just sat there making calls and smoking.
I let my eyes water. “Was that Audrey on the phone? Are you pissed that I ruined your night together?”
I stepped back. “I had no idea you were with her. I wouldn’t have interrupted if I’d known. If you still want her, go back to her. Our promise from five years ago – let’s just forget it.”
I turned to leave, but Blake caught my wrist. “Laurel!”
I yanked free. “If seeing me is such a chore that you need a cigarette break first, just go back to Audrey.”
Blake sighed. “That’s not why I was smoking. Audrey and I –
‘Save it, I cut him off, pulling out my phone to show him the restaurant receipt. “Victoria told me everything.”
I forced a bitter smile. “If I hadn’t called, would you two have made another baby tonight?”
Something dark flashed in Blake’s eyes. “That’s not what this is. Audrey and I, we can’t get back together. We won’t have that kind of relationship again.”
‘Don’t overthink it,” he added.
“How can I not?” I said, tears threatening to spill. “I know you don’t love me. I just want closure before I die. Can’t you at least pretend to care? Why promise to marry me then spend all night with your ex?”
I threw myself against him. “Let’s get engaged. Next week. Please?
Blake frowned as he put his arms around me. “Laurel…”
I clutched his shirt, voice breaking. “Don’t say no. This is your promise – my dying wish.”
‘I agree,‘ he cut in. ‘We’ll get engaged next week.”
I froze, looking up at him in shock. “What?”
This wasn’t what I expected. I’d prepared for excuses, delays – not immediate agreement.
Blake smiled faintly, ruffling my hair. “You’re right. I should have kept my promise long ago. However…”
My stomach dropped at his tone.
‘On the day of our engagement, I want someone to attend,” he said.
A chill ran through me. “Audrey?”
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“Not just her, Blake replied. ‘I want Rachel there too.”
My eyes widened. “That wouldn’t work,” I stammered. “Everyone thinks Rachel committed suicide four years ago. If she suddenly showed up at my
engagement…”
They’d know we lied, I thought frantically. All those tearful interviews about my poor dead
sister–exposed as complete hullshit.
“Plus, she’s a vegetative patient,” I continued. “What, we wheel in her hospital bed? That’s ridiculous. I refuse.”
Even if she weren’t a vegetable, I thought bitterly, I wouldn’t want her there. This is MY day. I don’t need people I hate showing up.
Blake’s lips curved upward. “No bed needed. A wheelchair will do. Audrey knows how to care for vegetative patients. She can handle Rachel that evening.
I stared at him, completely blindsided. Not only did he want Audrey and Rachel there – he wanted Audrey taking care of my sister.
I searched his face desperately. Did he know something? Had he figured out the truth about Pinehaven? About me?
“Laurel?” Blake frowned. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
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