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.

glanced up, noodles dangling from her

her flushed face and the sheer life radiating from her, I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t shatter this moment with my death sentence. Instead, I managed a weak smile and handed her a napkin.

she declared, pushing the napkin aside. “Saving trees, one napkin at a

laughing despite everything, but my amusement

Wilson, what a pleasure to

looked up at the sound of

in pristine white, her arm delicately wrapped around Blake’s. Her lips curved in a gentle smile as she gazed at us, the picture

couldn’t help but arch an

down upon – she must have called

1/3

Chapter 46

But…

radiant n stark contrast to her supposedly injured

made my stomach twist even

gaze fixed on my tea cup. “Spicy

whatever we damn well please,” Astrid snapped. “What’s it to

enough? His voice carried that familiar mix of disdain and something else – something I used to mistake

here with your new love while showing concern for your

my relationship with Laurel! I just see her as my sister!” Blake’s voice rose with

ago, and he has the

feather really do flock together, Mr. Parker, I said with a cold smile. ‘I see you’ve picked up Laurel’s

flames in Blake’s

probably still upset about what happened at the racetrack this afternoon…

one who’s uncomfortable?” Blake

being married for so long. She turned, making a show of walking toward the stairs, though her steps were deliberately slow – she had no intention of actually

voice was filled with mockery. “You seem to be having trouble

I have nothing more to say to Mr. Parker