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.”

every heartbeat pounding through my body, but I wasn’t done. Not

busy attending galas in Los Angeles with Miss Rose to check on me.” My voice didnt waver. “And now, at William’s birthday celebration, you jump off stage to

“Have you ever seen me

my room, in front of my mirror. I thought I was ready.

watching his face as 1 ripped open three years of

The painkillers I’d taken before coming here were wearing off, but I couldn’t let it show.

see the shocked faces of New York’s elite – the same people who d watched mo play the perfect Parker wife for three years.

caught Rebecca’s open mouthed stare, saw Elizabeth lean over to whisper something to Olivia. They’d

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Have You Ever Seen Me as

in his expression. For the first time since I’d

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

Just now? When Blake abandoned and even his grandfather on stage

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

concern?

erantless sleepless nights doubled over in pain. My husband had never noticed, never bothered to

had been back

weeks, and her slightest stomach discomfort sent him into a

that he didn’t know how to care. He just didn’t

“Care for her all you want, I’m done

Parker, I announced to the silent room. “Ending our three years of loveless marriage, and I’ll

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

gleam of triumph in Laurel’s eyes turn dark.

hadn’t 17

publicly labeled her

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 front of the Parker family’s social circle,

I will