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.

only for my ears, “So this is how you describe our marriage to your senior? Publicly having affairs, entangling with my ex who abandoned me…you’re quite good

stories? Which part isn’t true? I met his gaze squarely. “You’re openly courting Laurel while were still married. You didn’t even visit when I lost our child.” My voice remained steady, but my nails dug

social gatherings. Yet here was Blake, accusing me of making up stories while Lauralclung to him like

curling with disdain. “Such strong

cold gaze swept

over

me. I would have scrambled to e to clear any

in, desperate

in the

carrying a chill to match his own “Believe whatever you want. If it bothers you

1/3

Making Up

deliberately leaving Blake behind. To

private reception room hadn’t changed since the last time I’d be here. Still the same dark wood and leather, still the same photographs chronicling Parker Group’s rise to prominence lining the walls. William sat in his usual chair, looking frailer than 1

of them watching me with barely concealed disdain. Some

“Audrey!”

face lit up with genuine joy as he rose from his chair, striding toward me with an energy

placing the gift in his hands.

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

to this treatment, followed us to the main seating

grandchild.” ivia’s sweet voice couldn’t hide her obvious spite. “But we all know Blake

didn’t bother looking at her as she continued, “Now

crawl. “Watch your words! Blake and Audrey are very

a smile that never reached her eyes. “Audrey dear, please don’t mind Olivia’s thoughtless words. She’s

young.

in my throat, but I swallowed them back down. William was right there, and the last thing I wanted was to upset him with any drama. His health

Elizabeth. I continued preparing the tea with steady hands I won’t