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

off my coat at the Lunar Mansion’s entrance, hanging it like usual

something alive. Each evening, she’d wait here with dinner ready and that oversized cat of hers, both of them watching

vases still lined the shelves, but their contents had withered to brittle stems and dried

nowhere, her phone call from earlier nagged

sat there unanswered, almost accusatory in its solitude.

without response. Each second of silence amplified the

wait any longer, dialing a number. “Michael. Send me Audrey’s current

found myself staring at a rundown apartment complex that had 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 – barely looked up from his newspaper

1/3

Chapter 49

where Audrey had chosen to live? After three years in the Parker family, she’d settled

in my chest as I

buttons made my jaw clench. Third floor. The hallway stretched before me, fluorescent lights flickering against

knocked on her doot, trying to keep the edge from my

Silence.

cold settled in my stomach

harder. “Audrey?”

about to call Michael for a key, the door opened. My

Parker. James Collins leaned against

one

“James? What on earth are you doing here? Where is Audrey. Let her

any view into the apartment. Mr. Parker,

can wait until

I could respond, a familiar “meow” cut through the tension. Snow darted between James’s legs, making a beeline for me. The

– it shed everywhere and was as clingy as

crouched down, scooping the cat into my arms. “This is our cat,”

If Snow knew how you’ve treated

to see

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