Chapter 57
The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor seemed to reflect my heavy mood when my phone lit up with James’s name. Was he calling to apologize for his tone earlier? The thought only made me more irritated.
Before I could silence it, Ethan’s hand appeared from nowhere, deftly plucking the phone from my grasp. His eyes sparkled with mischief. “Allow me.”
James’s voice came through immediately, polished and apologetic: “Audrey, sorry for being too harsh earlier. The lack of sleep, the workload today-”
“Hello, sir!” Ethan’s cheerful interruption echoed slightly as we squeezed into the crowded elevator. He maneuvered us toward the back, using his height to create a small pocket of space around me – a gesture so natural it seemed unconscious.
His voice took on an almost musical quality. “I’m Audrey’s brother. She’s looking for her cat, unavailable now. Are there any messages you want to leave?”
The stunned silence on the other end was almost audible. “Brother? What brother?”
“Listen up, sir.” Ethan gave a smile. “Quick question – what exactly makes you think you can dictate what my sister does with her own pet? Last time I checked, Audrey’s pretty capable of making her own decisions.”
He ended the call with a flourish, handing my phone back. “Word of advice? That guy’s got ‘future control freak‘ written all over him. Next thing you know, he’ll be installing a whiteboard in your living room for daily relationship lectures.”
A laugh bubbled up before I could stop it. The moment felt lighter, freer.
Then the elevator doors slid open, and two faces I’d been desperately hoping to avoid stood waiting in the lobby. Laurel Rose and Blake Parker.
“Miss Sinclair.” The moment she spotted me, she immediately let out a cold smile.
“Blake was at your place this morning looking for you, she called out, her voice carrying just enough to draw attention without seeming to try. “Hiding at Mayo Clinic?
A delicate pause. Her manicured nail tapped thoughtfully against her chin. “It’s almost brilliant. Who’d think to look for you in New York’s most prestigious medical facility?” Another pause, this one heavy with implication. “And even if they did – well, what better excuse for missing a divorce appointment than a medical emergency?”
I met her gaze steadily, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. “Careful, Miss Rose. Your implication is showing.”
“Everyone knows Mayo Clinic only takes serious cases.” Her smile turned razor–sharp.
“Indeed.” I allowed myself a small, cold smile. ‘So what’s your role here, Miss Rose? Terminal patient? Rare disease sufferer?”
‘Or is this just another audition?”
The color vanished from her face so quickly. She stumbled back a step, one trembling hand reaching for Blake’s arm with unerring accuracy despite her apparent distress.
“Enough. Blake finally spoke up as he moved to shield her.
‘Laurel needs treatment. You have no right to question her presence here.”
The gesture was so familiar it almost hurt – how many times had he protected me like that? A hint of bitterness surged in my heart, and I slightly shook my head to get rid of it.
I said with a resigned smile, ‘Well, you’re right. May I leave now?”
“No,” Blake answered, his eyes narrowing. I almost thought you were actually serious about the divorce this time.” Sarcasm was evident in his voice. “If you didn’t want the divorce, why create such an unsightly scene?”
He continued, “It’s not just the Parker family now – even outsiders know about our divorce proceedings. Even Grandfather has agreed to it. So how do you plan to wrap this up?”
1/2
Chapter 57
As I said, with divorce,” I answered my own question, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands.
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