Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 18: You Planned This Long Ago?

Audrey’s POV

Everything I held back for three years every side comment, eve deliberate slight, every moment of humiliation – had finally found its release in that single strike. The red mark blooming on Thin’s perfectly made–up face matched the mounting fury in my

chest.

“You…” Thalia’s eyes widened in disbelief, her carefully applied makeup beginning to smear as tears welled up. “You actually dared to slap me?”

I could hear the whispers around us. Those socialites who’d spent yours watching me endure the Parker family’s abuse were now covering their mouths in shock. Three years of playing the perfect, dicile Mrs. Parker had made them forget who I really was.

“Not even Mother has ever hit me!” Thalia’s voice rose to a shriek, her hand covering her reddening cheek.

Before I could respond, Laurel rushed to Thalia’s side, her white eyering gown trailing dramatically behind her. Ever the actress, she played her part perfectly the concerned friend, the protective almost–sister–in–law.

“Thalia!” Laurel’s voice dripped with manufactured concern as she examined the other woman’s face. “Are you alright? Does it hurt

terribly?”

́“It bums!” Thalia’s voice cracked, tears now freely running down her face.

Laurel gasped theatrically. “Oh no… what if it leaves a scar? What about your beautiful face?”

I almost laughed at their performance. Three years ago, this scene would have terrified me the perfect Hollywood actress comforting the Parker princess. Now? I felt nothing but cold contempt.

Rebecca stormed towards me, her face twisted with rage, all pretense of her graceful sophistication abandoned. “You bitch!” Her manicured hand rose, ready to strike. “How dare you touch my daughter?”

1 side–stepped her attack smoothly, watching as she stumbled in her high heels. Blake caught her just before she could fall, but I noticed his eyes were fixed on me with an intensity I couldn’t read.”

carrying across the n now–silent ballroom. “I would

on the table earlier, only to find Laurel already holding them at some point, studying their contents with exaggerated interest. I couldn’t be bothered to

sign the papers right now!” I pulled out a pen and shoved it in Blake’s

brow furrowing as his gaze moved between

ago? To humiliate me at

eyebrow. “Is

promised to attend William’s birthday celebration, I’d already planned everything carefully. William was highly respected. and all the Parker family’s relatives and friends would be here for his birthday. I deliberately chose this occasion, knowing Blake wouldn’t be able to maintain his

1/3

Planned This Long

time left. reouldn’t afford

wh William. That’s why before the party started, I’d kept encouraging him to drink more tes, secretly

all my careful planning, William’s birthday celebration had still been ruined in

Thalia was still rubbing her slapped cheek, her voice bitter Did that bitch try any

shook her head. “No tricks, but… She pursed her lipis, her manicured finger pointing to the final item on the agreement. “She wants to take a Ragdoll

glanced at Blake with affected concern. Blake dag,

Blake nodded curtly. “Yes.”

Mr. Parker would discuss ven

there a problem with

was Blake’s gift for our first wedding anniversary. Back then, I been so happy I could barely contain myself, thinking he’d remembered how much I loved Ragdoll cats. I thought our relationship

later, I learned

impulsive purchase from Europe. She’d grown tired of the cat within days

Every time I had nightmares,

me. Even after I was gone, I would

dripped with disdain as she finally recalled abandoning the young Ragdoll. “You’re divorcing my brother what right

frowned, fixing her with an icy stare. “Your property? Apart from importing her from a European breeder, what

cat!” Thalia’s voice rose hysterically. “And you know what? I think Abe would love a

y eyes.