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

hanging it like usual before striding into the

the formal space into something alive. Each evening, she’d wait here with dinner ready and that oversized cat of hers, both of them watching the door for

contents had withered to brittle stems and dried petals. Like everything else in this house, they were

phone call from earlier nagged at me. That silence before she hung

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

Each second of silence amplified the

wait any longer, dialing a number. “Michael.

that had no business housing my wife. Half the street lights were broken, casting

1/3

Chapter 49

was where Audrey had chosen to live? After three years in the Parker

doing fine without me, she’d said. The memory of her words twisted something in my chest as I took in the buildings

buttons made my jaw clench. Third floor. The hallway stretched before

I knocked on her doot, trying to keep the

Silence.

cold settled in my stomach

harder. “Audrey?”

to call Michael for a key, the door opened. My relief lasted exactly one second – until I

Collins leaned

one hand. “Glad

you doing here? Where is Audrey. Let her

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

wait until

“meow” cut through the tension. Snow darted between James’s legs, making a beeline for me. The cat wound around my ankles, rubbing its

as its owner. But now, watching Snow choose me over James, 1 felt an unexpected surge of

cat,” I said,

right from wrong. If Snow knew how you’ve treated Audrey, she wouldn’t

own business.” I straightened, trying to see past him into the apartment.

even officially divorced yet. Living in this dump was bad enough, but having