Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 46

Audrey’s POV

I crouched in the restaurant’s bathroom stall, listening as Thalia Parker and Olivia Cavendish’s voices faded away. My stomach churned with a familiar pain, but this time, it wasn’t just the illness it was the bitter taste of betrayal.

Every time I’d brought up divorce recently, Blake had fought against it with such conviction that I’d almost believed he truly wanted to save our marriage.

But now I finally knew the truth: he’d reserved the venue and cake a month ago, planning his proposal to Laurel while pretending to fight for us.

So it was all an act, I thought, pressing my hand against my queasy stomach. Every word, every gesture, every moment of apparent sincerity – just another performance in Blake Parker’s grand production.

The pain was getting worse. I fumbled through my purse with trembling fingers, found the small bottle of pills I’d been keeping close lately. I swallowed two tablets dry, waiting for the edge to dull before checking my reflection. A few deep breaths, a careful reapplication of lipstick, and the mask was back in place. Astrid wouldn’t notice anything wrong.

When I finally returned to our table, Astrid was demolishing a bowl of spicy ramen, sweat beading on her forehead. Her eyes narrowed with concern as soon as she saw me.

“Hey, you were gone forever. Is your stomach giving you trouble again?” She put down her chopsticks. “Maybe we should get you checked at Mayo Clinic? Or we could go somewhere else?”

I shook my head, managing a smile. “It’s nothing. I’ll just have something light later.”

“Oh God, Audrey, I’m so sorry!” Astrid’s eyes widened with sudden realization. “I completely forgot about your stomach condition…”

“Just eat, I cut her off. “Since when did you become such a drama queen?”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, excuse me for giving a damn,” She jutted out her lower lip before diving back into her ramen. “Fine, whatever. But we’re hitting the pharmacy after this, no arguments!”

I wrapped my hands around a warm cup of tea, smiling as I watched her eat.

Looking at my friend’s vibrant energy, the weight of my three–month prognosis felt heavier than ever. I wanted to tell her – God, how I wanted to share this burden. But seeing her there, so full of life, the words refused to leave my throat.

“Astrid.” My voice came out raspier than intended.

dangling from her

couldn’t do it. Couldn’t shatter this moment with my death sentence. Instead, I managed a weak smile and handed her a

she declared, pushing the napkin aside. “Saving trees,

but my amusement

a pleasure to see you

at the sound of

table stood Laurel, dressed in pristine white, her arm delicately wrapped around Blake’s. Her lips curved in a gentle smile as she gazed at

help but arch an

couldn’t stand being looked down upon –

1/3

Chapter 46

But…

n stark contrast to her

them together made my stomach twist even

my tea cup. “Spicy food

eat whatever we damn well please,” Astrid snapped.

His voice carried that familiar mix of disdain and something else – something I used to mistake for concern. “Eating this

I said, unable to keep the sarcasm from my voice. “Standing here with your new love while showing concern for your soon–to–be ex–wife- aren’t you afraid

you, you’re misunderstanding my relationship with Laurel! I just see her as my

laugh. He reserved the proposal venue a month ago,

do flock together, Mr. Parker, I said with a cold smile.

flames in

don’t be angry. Audrey’s probably still upset about what happened at the racetrack this afternoon… Maybe my

you killed, and she’s the one

eyes theatrically. “Audrey, I know you misunderstand me, hate me. I should go. Even though we’re divorcing tomorrow, we shouldn’t be like enemies after being married for so long. She

the racetrack accident hurt your legs?” Astrid’s voice was filled with mockery. “You

gathering my things. “Since Laurel can’t leave, we will. I have nothing more to say to Mr. Parker anyway.