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.”

said, my voice carrying across the n now–silent ballroom. “I would not tolerate

I’d placed 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 fight her for

a pen and shoved it in Blake’s hand. “Mr. Parker, you’ve always been so eager to

gripped the pen I’d forced into his hand, his brow furrowing as his gaze moved between the papers in Laurel’s hands and the new

jaw tightened. “You planned this long ago? To

raised an eyebrow. “Is

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

1/3

18: You Planned

have much time left. reouldn’t afford to keep dragging

to ruin what would be my last birthday celebration wh William. That’s why before the party started, I’d kept encouraging him to drink more tes, secretly mixing sleeping powder to his

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

still rubbing her slapped cheek, her voice

shook her head. “No tricks, but… She pursed her lipis, her manicured finger pointing to the final item

Blake with affected concern. Blake

Blake nodded curtly. “Yes.”

eyebrow coldly. “I didn’t realize Mr. Parker would discuss ven my

added, “Is there a

for our first wedding anniversary. Back then, I been so happy I could barely contain myself, thinking he’d remembered how much

later, I learned the

purchase from Europe. She’d grown

of marriage, I’d spent most nights alone in that cold mansion. Every time I had nightmares, it was Snow who comforted me, curling up beside my pillow, her soft for offering

Snow with me. Even

voice dripped with disdain as she finally recalled abandoning the

her with an icy stare. “Your property? Apart from importing her from a European

Thalia’s voice rose hysterically. “And

y eyes.