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.”

could feel every heartbeat pounding through my body,

Angeles with Miss Rose to check on me.” My voice didnt waver.

you ever seen

these words too many times to count before tonight, alone in my room, in front of my mirror. I thought I was

ripped open three years of carefully hidden wounds – it

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

the corner of my eye, I could see the shocked faces of New York’s elite – the same people who d

lean over to whisper something to Olivia.

1/3

Ever Seen Me

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

fragile, practiced vulnerability replacing her earlier smugness. Blake didnt know about the miscarriage when he came to pick me up.

now? When Blake abandoned and even his grandfather on stage to catch you was that

up abruptly, moving to shield Laurel. “She’s unwell,” he

concern?

gastric cancer, spending erantless sleepless nights doubled over in pain. My husband had never noticed, never bothered to ask why I’d grown

had been back

weeks, and her slightest stomach discomfort

care. He just didn’t think

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

didn’t shake as I pulled out the divorce papers. ‘I’m divorcing Mr. Blake Parker, I announced to the silent room. “Ending

who’ve had their eye on Mr. Parker but were too principled to be a homewrecker might want

my words, I watched the gleam of triumph in Laurel’s eyes turn dark.

hadn’t 17

publicly labeled her as

storm. To him, our marriage was between us – my asking for divorce was just another tantrum he could overlook. But announcing our divorce in front of the Parker family’s social circle, laying bare his relationship with Laurel piece by piece? That was

my mind, I will no