Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 14: Making Up Stories?

Audrey’s POV

I felt Blake’s burning gaze finally shift away, allowing me to breathe little easier. The awkwardness of the situation hit me full force at our last meeting at the LA gala, Ti tokl jantes about my supposedly perfect marriage, about how much my husband loved me. What a joke that seemed now.

But seriously, how had James learned the truth? The question nagged at me, but there was no time to dwell on it. Charles Wright had just blown my cover entirely.

++

“Mrs. Paker, Mr. William Parker requests both you and your husband presence, Charles announced, his voice carrying the quiet authority.

Now that the butler had revealed my identity, there was nothing left to hide. I could only sigh and move to Charles’s side.

“Audrey…” James’s eyes widened almost comically, shock written across his features. “You…”

I turned back to him with what I hoped was a calm smile. “I’ll explain later, James.” The words tasted bitter- how many lies would i need to explain away?

“Let’s go,” I said to Charles, proud that my voice didn’t shake.

Charles gave me a gentle smile, then turned to Blake, gesturing forward with a practiced motion that spoke of his decades of service. “Please, Mr. Parker.”

I watched as Blake gently released Laurel’s hand, his touch so careful it made something in my chest ache. “I need to see my grandfather first. We’ll discuss your situation later.”

“But Blake…” Laurel’s voice carried that practiced vulnerability that formed to work so well on him.

“Find Thalia or your mother,” he said, his voice gentle in a way it never was with me. “I’ll come find you afterward.”

The moment Laurel’s footsteps faded away, Blake turned sharply and followed Charles. I fell into step behind them without another glance in his direction.

came low and cold, meant only for my ears, “So this is how you describe our marriage to your senior? Publicly having affairs, entangling with my ex who

while were still married. You didn’t even visit when I lost our

and I met, it had been in public. We’d never done anything more intimate than a formal dance at social gatherings. Yet here was Blake, accusing

lips curling with disdain. “Such strong

gaze

over

me. I would have scrambled to

in, desperate

in the

match his own “Believe whatever you want. If it bothers you that much, just sign papers and let

1/3

14: Making

I quicked my pace to catch up with Charles deliberately leaving Blake behind. To stealy my nerves, I started chatting with Charles about William’s

same photographs chronicling Parker Group’s rise to prominence lining the

Elizabeth, both of them watching me with barely concealed disdain. Some

“Audrey!”

joy as he rose from his chair, striding toward

gift in his

hasn’t even begun!” His eyes crinkled with affection as be took my hand, leading me toward

spared a single glance for Blake, his own grandson. Blake, apparently used to this treatment, followed us to the main seating area

she’s his own grandchild.” ivia’s sweet voice couldn’t hide her obvious spite. “But

looking at her as she continued, “Now that Laurel’s back, she’ll be thrown out soon

my skin crawl. “Watch your words! Blake and Audrey are

to me with a smile that never reached her eyes. “Audrey

young.

was right there, and the last thing I wanted was to upset him with any drama. His health had to come

continued preparing the tea