Chapter 60
“Would that be so bad?” The streetlights caught the mischief in his eyes.
“Young man, that’s not a funny joke.”
“Just kidding. His tone softened slightly. “But I am curious you two seem to have no feelings left, yet you’re still not divorced. Why?”
“That’s none of your business. Stop asking.”
A sharp gust of wind cut through the evening air, and I couldn’t suppress a shiver. Before I could protest, Ethan was already shrugging off his jacket.
“Here.” He draped it over my shoulders with casual grace. ‘You’re shaking.”
“I don’t need- My attempt to remove it was gently but firmly stopped.
–
“Okay, I was wrong to pry.” His voice carried genuine remorse. “Let me make it up to you I’ll help search for Snow all night if that’s what it takes. Deal?”
When I hesitated, he added, “You’re already weak, and if you catch a cold and end up back in the hospital, Snow will be out here alone even longer.”
The logic was sound. After a moment’s consideration, I let my hands drop from the jacket’s edges.
We started our search methodically. First stop was the local convenience store for cat food. Armed with flashlights and Snow’s favorite treats, we began combing through the complex grounds.
“Snow!” My voice echoed off brick walls and concrete paths. “Snow, where are you?”
Hour after hour passed. Each corner checked, each bush investigated, each meow examined only to find yet another stray that wasn’t Snow. The hope that had sustained me began to fade with the night’s deepening shadows.
By the time the clock struck ten, exhaustion had settled deep in my bones. My voice was growing hoarse from calling, and even the simple act of holding the flashlight had become a struggle.
“We should stop before we disturb the neighbors.” Ethan’s voice was gentle but firm.
That’s when the tears started. Silent at first, then building into something that shook my entire frame.
‘Hey… please don’t cry.”
“What if…” The words caught in my throat. “What if we never find Snow…”
“What if she never comes back…”
“I’m such a failure… The dam finally broke. “I couldn’t even protect my cat…”
The sobs that tore from my chest held years of unshed tears. All the times I hadn’t cried – losing my baby, seeing Blake with Laurel, enduring the Parker family’s contempt – it all came pouring out now.
God, five years. Five freaking years since that crazy day at the beach. Blake showed up out of nowhere – beaten up, blind, completely helpless. Rachel was with me when we found him. I had no clue he was the CEO of the Parker Group. I spent weeks taking care of him, changing his bandages, helping him eat, talk… somewhere along the way, I fell for him. Hard. It was stupid – I mean, he couldn’t even see me. Then his family swooped in and just… took him away. I thought that was it.
But fate had other plans. Three years ago, when news broke that Blake had fallen into a coma, I couldn’t stay away. I went straight to William Parker, his grandfather, and made an impossible request to marry Blake, to care for him, to stand by him even if he never woke up.
Those once–sweet memories now only sent waves of pain through me.
Why would I get a punishment like this The thought rose unbidden through my tears.
1/2
Chapter 60
I’d lost my love and my child, received a death sentence from my doctors, and now even Snow my last source of unconditional love – was gone.
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Audrey has suffered so much tragedy. When will it all end? I hope some good comes out of all this, as I’m finding this hard to read….
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