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

fill every corner with plants and flowers, transforming the formal space into something alive. Each evening, she’d

lined the shelves, but their contents had withered to brittle stems and dried petals. Like everything else in this house, they were just

earlier nagged at me. That silence before

– “real mature” – sat there unanswered, almost accusatory in

of silence amplified the emptiness of

wait any longer, dialing a number. “Michael. Send me

broken, casting

1/3

Chapter 49

Audrey had chosen to live? After three

something in my chest as I took

floor. The hallway stretched before

doot, trying to keep

Silence.

settled in my

harder. “Audrey?”

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

Parker. James Collins leaned against

bag dangling from one hand. “Glad

are you doing here?

deliberately blocking any view into the apartment.

wait until

making a beeline for me. The cat wound around my ankles, rubbing

I’d never particularly liked this cat before – it shed everywhere and was as clingy as its owner. But

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

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

straightened, trying to see past him into the

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