Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 68

Blake’s POV

The warmth of Audrey’s hand still lingered on my skin. Her touch felt achingly familiar, stirring memories I’d tried to suppress.

But before I could think about it more, Laurel gasped dramatically. “Miss Sinclair is so rough. That really hurt…”

felt the last traces of Audrey’s warmth fade from my palm as I frowned at this unexpected scene. “Why are you here?” I kept my voice low.

Laurel’s lower lip trembled as her eyes filled with tears. “I had a fight with my mother,” she whispered, voice catching. I couldn’t stay at home.”

Her fingers twisted in the fabric as she continued, “Thalia told me the mansion’s been empty since Miss Sinclair moved out… so I moved in yesterday.” She glanced up through wet lashes. “Blake darling, you’re not mad, are you?”

I pressed my fingers to my temples, fighting back a headache. “Why didn’t you tell me you needed a place to stay? I could have arranged somewhere else.” A pause, heavy with implication. “I’ve been staying here lately.”

That was hard to admit. I hadn’t told anyone about my recent habit of returning to this place night after night, seeking… what? Traces of a life I’d systematically destroyed? The ghost of happiness I’d never appreciated until it was gone?

“What’s the problem?” Laurel’s smile was still sweet, yet it had started to grate on my nerves. “The mansion’s more than big enough for both of us.*

“No.” I instinctively refused. After a moment, I added with careful neutrality, “But stay if you want. I’ll make other arrangements.”

Actually, her unannounced arrival effectively forced me to find somewhere else to stay, and it stirred an unexpected resistance. Among all my properties, this was the only one that still held echoes of a life I’d chosen to walk away from. The thought of abandoning it now felt like surrendering something I wasn’t ready to name.

I shook my head and walked towards the living room. For a moment, the transformation inside instantly made me pause.

of Audrey had been systematically erased, replaced by Laurel’s particular brand of feminine excess. Pink throw pillows littered the couch where Audrey’s carefully chosen earth tones had once created an atmosphere of warmth. Crystal figurines sparkled where her modest pottery collection had made the space feel like

overnight?” I surveyed the room, feeling something shattering in my

decorate!” Laurel’s smile was bright enough to blind. ‘Isn’t it lovely?”

she moved out? Why is she back looking for it?” Her voice carried a particular lilt. “Is she really looking for the cat, or

studied her face, and asked, “Snow wasn’t here when you

was…

expression made me realize something was wrong. Without bothering to respond, I took the stairs

voice chased after me. “You must be hungry. I’ve got

Audrey’s POV

walls that no longer

Three years of careful decorating choices had been erased overnight, replaced by something that felt deliberately designed to mock everything I’d built

anything. Yet here was Laurel, freely redecorating the very space I’d been barred from touching. The message couldn’t have been clearer I’d always been the

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Chapter 68

down the bitter realization. Focus on Snow, I commanded myself. This isn’t your home anymore. Whatever Blake allows Laurel

felt like hours of searching, having turned nearly every room upside down, Snow remained frustratingly absent. Not a single trace

–

here?” I finally asked, turning to Blake behind me. “Then

to lie.” His voice was calm. “Michael took her to the vet for grooming, then brought

rise. Blake’s unwavering certainty only made the knot in my chest tighten. After a sleepless night of searching, after

so much about that cat? How could you lose her in

Blake’s sharp tone