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.

ears, “So this is how you describe our marriage to your senior? Publicly having affairs, entangling with

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

than a formal dance at social gatherings. Yet

disdain. “Such strong reaction.

gaze swept

over

his suspicion would have terrified me. I would have scrambled to e

in, desperate

in the

whatever you want. If it bothers

1/3

Making Up

Charles deliberately leaving Blake behind. To stealy my nerves, I started chatting with

same photographs chronicling Parker Group’s rise to prominence lining the walls. William sat in his usual chair, looking frailer than 1 remembered but with that same

her mother Elizabeth, both of them watching me with barely

“Audrey!”

chair, striding toward me with an energy that belied his

placing the gift in his hands. “Sorry for being

my hand,

for Blake, his own grandson. Blake, apparently used to this treatment, followed us to the main seating area with practiced indifference, his face a careful mask

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

her as she continued, “Now that Laurel’s back, she’ll be thrown

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

never reached her

young.

but I swallowed them back down. William was right there, and the last thing

the tea with