Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 49

Laurel’s POV

Through the floor–to–ceiling windows of the Rose mansion, I tracked Blake’s car as it disappeared into the night. Wrong direction, darting My wait my palms.

dag inn

The delicate clink of china against china announced my mother’s presence before her reflection appeared in the window beside mine. Tea, dear?” My mother, Scarlett Rose’s voice carried concern. ‘Blake’s heading home rather late. The Parker mansion isn’t in that direction, is it?

I accepted the cup. “No. He’s heading to the Lunar Mansion. The words tasted bitter on my tongue. Where he lived with Audrey.”

Scarlett’s carefully manicured brows drew together. “You said she’d moved out?”

“Oh, she has. My lips curved into a cold smile as I watched the last trace of his taillights disappear. “But clearly, I underestimated her… lingering inflorice

What was it about that woman?

“Sweetheart.” Scarlett’s hand found my shoulder, her touch gentle. “They’ve been married for three years after all. These things take time to fade.”

I didn’t bother responding. My mind was already several steps ahead, calculating adjustments to my carefully laid plans. If Blake was still drawn to their old home, perhaps…

“By the way,” Scarlett’s voice interrupted my thoughts, her tone suddenly hesitant. “Martha and I are visiting Rachel tomorrow. It’s been three years, Laurel. Maybe you’d like to…”

The teacup shattered against the floor before I’d even registered throwing it. “So that’s why you waited up. I told you don’t mention her in front of me.”

“Laurel!” Scarlett flinched at my tone. “Rachel Hayes is your sister…”

“Half–sister,” I corrected coldly. “Your daughter with that man is nothing to me. Don’t ever mention that vegetable to me again”

With that, I turned away. “It’s better for everyone if we just… forget she exists.”

“Laurel…” Scarlett’s voice cracked. “You and Rachel were so close once. What happened to you?”

I paused at the doorway but didn’t turn back. “Your little girl is in a hospital bed, Mother. And I? I’m going to be Mrs. Blake Parker. That’s all that matters

now.”

Blake’s POV

Lunar Mansion’s entrance, hanging it like usual before striding into the living

Each evening, she’d wait here with dinner ready and that oversized cat of hers, both of them watching the door for

still lined the shelves, but their contents had withered to brittle stems and dried petals. Like

from earlier nagged at me.

– “real mature” – sat there unanswered, almost accusatory in its solitude. After a moment’s hesitation, I typed: “About that call earlier.

of silence amplified

couldn’t wait any longer, dialing a number. “Michael. Send me Audrey’s

no business housing my wife. Half the street lights were broken, casting shadows across cracked concrete. The security guard – who had to be pushing seventy –

1/3

Chapter 49

had chosen to live? After three

The memory of her words twisted something in my chest as I took in the buildings facade. This wasnt fine This wasn’t even

The hallway stretched before me,

trying to keep the edge from my

Silence.

cold settled in

harder. “Audrey?”

the door opened. My relief lasted exactly one

Collins leaned

one hand. “Glad to see

“James? What on earth are you doing here? Where is

want to see you.” James shifted his stance, deliberately blocking any

wait

tension. Snow darted between James’s legs, making a beeline for me. The cat wound around my ankles, rubbing its head against my

everywhere and was as clingy as its

arms. “This is our cat,” I said, meeting James’s eyes with deliberate emphasis on our.”

cold laugh. “Cats can’t tell right from wrong. If

straightened, trying to see past him into the

this dump was bad enough, but having