Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 33

Audrey’s POV

Hearing his shaking voice, I knew something in my expression must have given me away,

The question hung in the air between us. I could see his knuckles turning white against the dark leather of the steering wheel.

Yes. The word came out steadier than I expected.

James pulled the car over so suddenly that I had to brace myself against the dashboard. When I looked at him, his face had gone pale.

“How can it be so soon… His voice cracked slightly. “No wonder you said you didn’t want to discuss relationships. I never thought you were… God, Audrey…

I gave a gentle smile. “Don’t worry, Mayo Clinic has this experimental drug for my cancer. Dr. Evans managed to get me five doses – that’s one complete course. I’ve already used the first one.”

“And if it works well, I might get some extra time.” I tried to keep my voice light. “But I’m not counting on miracles. That’s why I need these designs on the market within three months, James. Can you help me with that?”

He was quiet for a long moment, staring straight ahead through the windshield. Finally, he turned to me, his expression resolute: We’ll make it happen, Audrey. Whatever it takes.”

The city traffic moved around us in streams of yellow cabs and delivery trucks, life continuing its relentless pace. Just like it would after I was gone.

Thirty minutes later, standing outside Astrid’s modeling agency, I watched Dr. Evans’s name light up my phone screen. A week ago, she’d called me with a rare glimmer of hope – Mayo Clinic’s most aggressive case of gastric cancer, she’d said, but also their first candidate for an experimental new drug. The memory of racing back from the designer gala that night, catching a red–eye flight just to sign those trial papers, still felt surreal.

I remembered Dr. Evans’s face as I signed the consent forms, her quiet confidence when she assured me the hospital board had unanimously approved my participation. “As long as you can handle the cost,” she’d said, “the treatment path is yours.” Funny how quickly things change in the world of experimental medicine.

was new, uncomfortable. “There’s…

of situation?” I kept my voice steady, though my fingers

her words carefully. “Their case is less advanced than yours, but they have… significant resources. They’re offering to purchase your remaining

felt like a spotlight, harsh and exposing. I moved into the shadow of the building, my laugh sharp and brittle. “Let me get

please understand. The sample size is still extremely limited. We can’t even be certain of the

I should just step aside for someone with a bigger checkbook?” The elevator doors opened with a soft ding as I stabbed the button. “Not

Evans.”

“The administration feels…”

down your neck, aren’t they?” The edge in my voice could have cut glass. “That’s why

was

offering, I’ll match it. I’ll exceed it. And if Mayo Clinic tries to redistribute these drugs?” My voice dropped. I’ll make sure every newspaper in New York knows how they rank patients by their bank accounts instead

their survival chances.

her sharp intake of breath. “I’ll… relay your position

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Chapter 33

It they’re se eager to buy three months of someone alte & lits, tell them in

slightly as I lowered the phone. This was about survival. And 14 be damned if I’d let

voice had already come over. “No, no, NO! Your

all looking appropriately chastised. The scene brought back memories of our own first meeting, back when

voice had been full of excitement that day. “She’s so

back then. “I’ll handle operations, Audrey designs, Astrid models. We’ll take None York by

at nineteen. ‘I’ll lead