Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 57

The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor seemed to reflect my heavy mood when my phone lit up with James’s name. Was he calling to apologize for his tone earlier? The thought only made me more irritated.

Before I could silence it, Ethan’s hand appeared from nowhere, deftly plucking the phone from my grasp. His eyes sparkled with mischief. “Allow me.”

James’s voice came through immediately, polished and apologetic: “Audrey, sorry for being too harsh earlier. The lack of sleep, the workload today-”

“Hello, sir!” Ethan’s cheerful interruption echoed slightly as we squeezed into the crowded elevator. He maneuvered us toward the back, using his height to create a small pocket of space around me – a gesture so natural it seemed unconscious.

His voice took on an almost musical quality. “I’m Audrey’s brother. She’s looking for her cat, unavailable now. Are there any messages you want to leave?”

The stunned silence on the other end was almost audible. “Brother? What brother?”

“Listen up, sir.” Ethan gave a smile. “Quick question – what exactly makes you think you can dictate what my sister does with her own pet? Last time I checked, Audrey’s pretty capable of making her own decisions.”

He ended the call with a flourish, handing my phone back. “Word of advice? That guy’s got ‘future control freak‘ written all over him. Next thing you know, he’ll be installing a whiteboard in your living room for daily relationship lectures.”

bubbled up before I could stop it. The moment

the elevator doors slid open, and two faces I’d been desperately hoping to avoid stood waiting in the lobby.

moment she spotted me,

you, she called out, her voice carrying just enough

almost brilliant. Who’d think to look for you in New York’s most prestigious medical facility?” Another pause, this one heavy with implication. “And even if they did – well, what better excuse for missing

steadily, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. “Careful, Miss

takes serious cases.” Her smile turned

‘So what’s your role here, Miss Rose? Terminal patient? Rare

is this just another

from her face so quickly. She stumbled back a step, one trembling

as he

treatment. You have no right to question her presence

A hint

smile, ‘Well, you’re