Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

9

Blake’s POV

The bruises on Audrey’s legs held my gaze, an unexpected tightness forming in my chest. Purple–blue marke mapped her pale skin like a topographica record of this morning’s violence. My throat constricted.

This morning, when she’d tumbled down the stairs, she hadn’t cried out in pain. Hadn’t shown any sign of distress. She’d simply taken Snow’s carrier from Michael and walked away. I’d assumed she was fine–or maybe I’d just needed her to be fine. There had been signs the slight unsteadiness in her step, the tightness around her mouth–but acknowledging them would have meant confronting truths I wasn’t ready to face.

Dr. Bennett’s examination expression darkened as she gently lifted Audrey’s shirt, revealing an angry red mark on her abdomen.

And this is from the kick Miss Rose gave her just now,” Dr. Bennett said, her voice slicing through the room’s tension. Her eyes found mine, sharp with accusation.

“Laurel didn’t kick her, I said automatically. “It must have been an accidental bump…”

Even as the defense left my lips, uncertainty crept in. I’d been focused on getting Laurel to the car safely. Had I missed something?

Dr. Bennett gave a cold laugh. “An accidental bump wouldn’t leave such a precise bruise mark. Her voice was clinically detached, but the accusation beneath was unmistakable. “This was caused by a pointed shoe applied with force. Wasn’t Miss Rose wearing stilettos today?”

She was right. Laurel had been wearing her favorite red–soled stilettos. I fell silent.

Felix stepped forward, physically placing himself between Audrey and me. “Blake,” he began, his voice balancing respect with challenge, “everyone knows your history with Laurel. But I’ve heard that when you were comatose, Audrey took care of you.”

His eyes searched mine. “Even if there wasn’t love, surely there’s some loyalty? You’re still legally married–is this really how you treat your wife?”

The words stung more than I wanted to admit.

Grandfather’s cane struck the marble floor. “Exactly! You demand Audrey apologize to Laurel, but for what?” His voice clearly gave away “That woman pushed Audrey down a flight of stairs this morning, then kicked her just now. Has she offered one word of apology?”

The weight of their disapproval pressed in from all sides. I turned to Audrey, deflecting rather than confronting.

you say you were hurt earlier?” I must have been out of my

a bitter smile, Audrey looked at me. “Would it have mattered if I had?”

drried

his extreme anger.

accumulated disappointment.

thicken, making it hard

phone’s ring cut through the tension. Laurel’s name lit up the screen, and something like relief washed over

stares.

are you

and trembling, “it hurts so much… I feel terrible…” soft sob punctuated

cry, don’t cry! I‘ bring her

up and turned back, my mind clear with a singular purpose. Whatever moral quandary

urgency in Laurel’s voice.

He moved with surprising

built Parker Group from the ground up. “If you dare touch

1/3

Chapter 79,

couldn’t yield now. I maneuvered around film and Falis, scooping Aidtey

urgent! I called over my shoulder. 1 II take

protests behind

Parker! Put me down! She pushed against my chest,

through gritted teeth.

escape, then slid behind the wheel. The car roared to life as I pulled

the rearview mirror, I caught Audrey pushing herself upright, her expression

I go