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.

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

all this overnight?” I surveyed the room, feeling something

Laurel’s smile was bright enough to blind. ‘Isn’t

“Though I haven’t seen Miss Sinclair’s cat. Didn’t she take it when she moved out? Why is she back looking for

asked, “Snow wasn’t here when you moved

cat was…

was wrong. Without bothering to respond,

me. “You must

Audrey’s POV

that no longer felt familiar. “Snow,

to unrecognizable spaces. Three years of careful decorating choices had been erased overnight, replaced by something that felt deliberately designed

hadn’t been spared from Laurel’s invasion. The irony wasn’t lost on me. During our marriage, I’d barely been allowed to enter his study, let alone change 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

1/2

Chapter 68

deep breath, forcing down the bitter realization. Focus on Snow, I commanded myself. This

alone wasn’t enough. After what felt like hours of searching, having turned nearly every room upside down, Snow remained frustratingly absent. Not a single trace of her could be found

–

you sure Snow is really here?” I finally asked, turning to Blake behind me. “Then where is

was calm. “Michael took her to the vet

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

of the stairs. “Weren’t you supposed to care so much about that cat? How could you lose her in the first place?” She leaned against the railing with practiced casualness. “I’ve been here since last night, and I haven’t seen any

sharp tone