Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 17: Have You Ever Seen Me as Your Wife?

Audrey’s POV

A bitter smile curved my lips at Blake’s furlous question. Just

about to respond with everything I’d bald bark for three years

out. “Audrey dear,” Laurel s voice cut in, “what’s this about… renting? Blak isn’t some commodity to be leased cest

Looking at Laurel’s exaggerated performance made my stomach tor took a sip of the orange julee William had specially prepared for me, my voice coming out cool and composed:

sat rigidly in his chair. “Dont)

“Oh?” I met her gaze steadily. “I think I’m being perfectly accurate turned to face Blake, who sat agree, Mr. Parket?”

The formal address made his jaw clench. Good. Let him feel a fraction of the pain I’d been carrying

I looked around slowly, my voice carrying across the silent ballroom. Actually, why don’t you weigh in on this, Mr. Parker? we’re all here together.”

The pain in my abdomen intensified, but I refused to let it show. Not now. Not when I was finally ready to say everything I’d been holding back for three years.

William isn’t well, and this is his birthday celebration.” My voice came out cold, stripped of all the warmth I’d once held for thin family. “That’s the only reason I’ve tolerated this behavior until now

I watched Blake’s expression darken, saw Laurel s perfectly manicured hand reach for his arm. The gesture made something snap

inside me.

“Three years of marriage,” I continued, each word precise and cutting “You didn’t know when I was sick. Didn’t care when I was pregnant.” I turned to face the gathered crowd, no longer bothering to keep this private. “When I was losing our child at Mayo Clinic, you were putting on a show at JFK, welcoming Miss Rose back from Europe.”

this, I could feel every heartbeat pounding through my body, but

galas in Los Angeles with Miss Rose to check on me.” My voice

eyes directly. “Have you

tonight, alone in my room, in front of my

watching his face as 1 ripped open three years of carefully hidden wounds –

before coming here were wearing off, but I couldn’t

elite – the same people who d watched mo play the perfect

saw Elizabeth lean over to whisper something to Olivia. They’d never wen me like

1/3

17: Have You Ever Seen Me

word I’d spoken, but something else hickered in his expression. For the first time since I’d knows him, the CEO who could silence

her earlier smugness. Blake didnt know about the miscarriage when he came to pick me up. And the

bitter laugh escaped me. “And Just now? When Blake abandoned and even

shield Laurel. “She’s unwell,” he growled. Her stomachs bothering her.

concern?

voice struck me as darkly ironic. Here I was, with Jerminal gastric cancer, spending erantless sleepless nights doubled over in pain. My husband had

had been

her

know how to care. He

gave a peaceful smile. “Care for her all you want, I’m done

Mr. Blake Parker, I announced to the silent room. “Ending our three years of loveless marriage,

Laurel and the crowd of New York’s elite. “Miss. Rose… or other ladies who’ve had their eye on Mr. Parker but were too principled to be a homewrecker might want to step

of triumph in Laurel’s eyes turn dark.

hadn’t 17

just publicly labeled her as

the rage in Blake’s expression, his hands into fists, his fry barely contained. The look he gave me promised a storm. To him, our marriage was between us – my asking for divorce was just another tantrum he could overlook. But announcing our divorce in

mind, I will