Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 12: Pack Your Things and Leave

Audrey’s POV

The red traffic light glowed above St. Regis Hotel like a warning beacon, New York’s elite pouring into the hotel in an endless stream. William’s birthday celebration promised to be anything but the simple affair he’d requested when your grandson is CEO of Parker Group, “simple” becomes a relative term.

I stood at the crosswalk, clutching my carefully chosen gift. The pair in my abdomen had subsided to a dull ache, manageable. enough that Dr. Evans had reluctantly cleared me to attend.

A sleek black luxury car pulled up to the hotel entrance, drawing my attention. The valet rushed to open both doors simultaneously. and my heart clenched as Blake and Laurel emerged in perfect synchronization. Their matching outfits – her royal blue velvet gown and his bespoke suit of the same shade- caught the light of the setting sun. They looked like something out of a fashion magazine spread; the powerful CEO and his Hollywood princess.

“Isn’t that Laurel Rose?” A woman’s excited whisper carried across the street. “The actress who just got back from Europe?”

Yes, with Blake Parker!” Her companion replied. “It’s his grandfathers birthday he’s introducing her to the firmily.”

“I heard they’ve known each other for ages. They must be discussing marriage plans now.”

“Look at their matching

ing outfits – they’re so in love…”

So in love. The words echoed in my mind as I watched as Laurel gracefully slip her arm through Blake’s, his hand resting protectively at the small of her back. How many times had I dreamed of walking beside him like that? In three years of marriage, Blake and I had never worn matching anything. In public. I was always just another face in the crowd, a stranger he might nnd to in passing.

Was this marriage just your way of punishing me, Blake? The thought surfaced unbidden as I watched them disappear Three years of hiding, of tiptoeing around his moods, of being the perfect secret wife… and for what?

into the hotel.

in the

The screech of tires interrupted my thoughts. A red car Blake’s birthday gift to his sister two years ago – pulled up to entrance. Thalia Parker stepped out, an obviously high–ended dress on her body.

Her eyes found me immediately. “Well, if it isn’t my sister–in–law. Her voice dripped honey–coated venom. “Heard you lost the baby

recently?”

hit harder

a Parker heir to

too busy to

chaos

she continued, clearly enjoying herself. And you

So that’s what this is about. I felt my lips curve into a slight smile. “When did

te the one who complained, shouldn’t

Blake hadn’t told them about the night The Underground, about his rage when he found about his desperate attempt to… I

here.

are, right?” Thalia’s voice turned sickeningly sweet. “If I were you, I’d get a divorce, pack my things and leave now. Better than being thrown out like a

1/3

Your

neprising Has de no

halfway to her han What do we

you

watching her expression shift from one to shock fut he didn’t want us to Pharbel For been done with that damn title

my

took a step bock, clearly thrown off balance by thy responce for once,

all here board members pretending to anjoy small talk, socialites comparing iwelry, young heirs plotting their next scandal. Across the room, I could te take and Laurel holding court

A familiar voice cut through

turned around, my heart sinking as 1 recognized James Collins making

to see you again.” His smile was warm, genuine everything the Parker

my voice

short straw to

from our college days did. To them, I was still just Audrey Sinclair, the

he asked. “Are you

under Parker Group. With their backing. they Il be a major

after Laurel could Blake be any