Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Audrey’s POV

The evening air carried a hint of chill as Ethan and I reached my apartment complex. The exhaustion from our hospital encounter with Blake and Laurel still lingered. Just as we approached the entrance, my phone buzzed with Dr. Evans‘ name lighting up the screen.

Audrey.” Her voice carried an unusual tension. “Remember that patient who wanted to use the same experimental treatment as you?”

My fingers tightened around the phone. “Yes, what’s wrong?”

“This… lady. She’s here at Mayo Clinic and wants to meet with you…”

“I’m sorry, but I have an emergency to deal with.” I refused directly, my patience wearing thin at the mere thought of this mysterious collaboration proposal.

Dr. Evans‘ hesitation was audible through the phone. “Audrey, she’s quite…” She trailed off, clearly uncomfortable with the implied pressure from above.

“Look, I softened my tone, knowing this wasn’t her fault. “Just tell her I’m at the police station right now – my child is missing. The lie slipped out smoothly, born of desperation. “I’m sure someone of her… standing can understand that takes precedence.”

A beat of silence. She can have her lawyers reach out another time.” I added pointedly, “That was the original plan this morning, wasn’t it?”

“I…” Dr. Evans sighed, her voice showing her understanding and concern. “Yes, of course. I’ll let her know. And Audrey? I truly hope you find your… child. Don’t lose hope.”

had lost my child, so I understood

ended the call, my gaze drifted to the darkening sky. The excuse wasn’t entirely a lie – Snow was as close to a child

Ethan by my

had drifted to lean against a nearby street lamp. A hint of amusement played at the corners of his mouth. “So you

to.”

it wrong to tell a white lie to avoid people I don’t want to

wondering… if you can lie so easily, why didn’t you let Blake think there was something between us when we

closer to home than I would have liked. I started walking toward my building,

all over him. Why

I shook

His voice carried a playful challenge. “Maybe

laugh escaped me.

The man who woke from his coma two years ago with only four words for me:

IVs, monitoring vitals, whispering prayers to a God I wasn’t sure I

me to him were exactly what made it impossible for him to love me. The closer I’d tried to be, the more

it’s impossible if you won’t even try?” Ethan’s