Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 79

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.

must have

Audrey looked at me. “Would it have mattered if I had?” Her voice demanded I forgive her.

drried

his extreme anger.

disappointment.

air seemed to thicken,

My phone’s ring cut through the tension. Laurel’s name lit up the screen, and something like relief washed over me as I turned away from

stares.

how are you

darling,” her voice came through weak and trembling, “it hurts so much… I feel terrible…” soft sob punctuated her words, “Is Audrey coming? If not,

cry, don’t cry! I‘ bring her

a singular purpose.

urgency in Laurel’s voice.

immediately. He moved with surprising agility, placing himself

carried the authority that had built Parker Group from the ground up. “If you

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Chapter 79,

now. I maneuvered around film and Falis, scooping Aidtey into my armve the ble inna strode toward

is urgent! I called over my shoulder. 1

the protests behind me. Outside, Audrey

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

through gritted

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

mirror, I caught Audrey pushing herself upright, her expression

flatly. “Even if I go

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