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 before striding into the living room. The space felt wrong.

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

withered to brittle stems and dried petals. Like everything else in this house, they were just hollow reminders of what was

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

pulled out my phone, checking our message thread. My last text – “real mature” – sat there unanswered, almost accusatory in its solitude. After a moment’s hesitation,

minutes passed without response. Each second of silence amplified the emptiness of the house

a number.

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

1/3

Chapter 49

After three years in

twisted something in my chest as I took in the buildings facade. This wasnt fine This wasn’t

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

her doot, trying

Silence.

cold settled in

harder. “Audrey?”

for a key, the door opened. My

Collins leaned

black bag dangling from one hand. “Glad to see

on earth are you doing here? Where is Audrey. Let her come out and face

doesn’t want to see you.” James shifted his stance, deliberately blocking any view into the apartment. Mr. Parker, it’s

can wait until

a beeline for me. The cat wound around my ankles, rubbing its head against my pants leg with obvious

– it shed everywhere and was as clingy as its owner. But now, watching Snow choose me over James, 1 felt an unexpected surge

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

wrong. If Snow knew how

I straightened, trying to see past him

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