Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Audrey’s POV

*Used to it.”

Simple words, devastating in their casual cruelty.

I stared out at the passing city lights, letting out a bitter laugh. Five years of loving him, three years of marriage, and this was what I was worth – someon who should have grown accustomed to being the family punching bag. Rebecca and Thalia’s orchestrated takedowns, the whispered mockery at charity galas, the endless speculation about my background – apparently, I should have developed immunity to it all by now.

Each perfect smile, each graceful deflection of veiled insults had cost me pieces of myself I’d never get back. And for what? To hear him dismiss it all with three casual words.

“No.” My voice came out steady, unfamiliar even to my own ears. “I never got used to it.” I met his eyes in the rearview mirror. ‘No one gets used to being

target.”

Blake’s gaze flickered to the mirror, searching my face–perhaps for the acquiescence he’d grown accustomed to. Instead, he found only resolution. For once, it seemed Blake Parker had nothing to say.

“So this time…” I let each word land with deliberate weight, “I would rather die than apologize to your Miss Rose.”

The screech of tires against asphalt filled the car as Blake slammed on the brakes, pulling over with enough force to throw me against the seat in front of

me.

Blake’s POV

I yanked the gear shift into park, anger coursing through my veins like electricity. As my eyes met hers, before I could say anything, my mind went blank.

The woman staring back at me was a stranger. Gone was the warm glow that used to light her eyes whenever she looked at me, replaced by something cold and distant.

When had that happened? When had Audrey Sinclair become someone I couldn’t read?

A hint of fear washed through me. I pushed it down, drawing out a cigarette instead. The flame from my lighter caught the sharp angles of her face, and for a moment, I was struck by how beautiful she still was, even twisted with fury. The thought came unbidden and unwelcome.

“What if I insist you apologize to Laurel today?” The words came out calmer than I felt.

A cold smile touched her lips. “And if I refuse? What will you do, Mr. Parker? Force my mouth open?”

The formal address stung. When had we become such strangers?

“That won’t be necessary.” I took a long drag, letting the smoke curl between us. “Parker Group recently investigated a modeling agency for acquisition.”

Audrey’s POV

The mention of a “modeling agency‘ made my nerves instantly go taut – Astrid worked as a model.

the owner’s computer.” Blake continued, his voice as cold and detached as if he were discussing a mundane business transaction.

remained silent, every muscle in my body tense as

long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling between us like a living thing. With his free hand,

Take a look.“

Chapter 80

throat. I bit my lip hard, eyes drawn to the screen despite averything in me

the screen was Astrid Wilson in

teeth chattering. The friend who had stood by me through everything–my diagnosis, the love of the baby, the crumbling

tore from my throat, hot

cold smile played at the corner of his mouth. I didn’t want

soft click of the car doors unlocking punctuated his next

Go upstairs and apologize now, or I’ll have

I knew. The one who’d held me through nightmares, whose hand I’d held through blindness and coma.

afternoon sun. The drive from Parker Mansion should have taken thirty minutes Blake had done it in less than fifteen.

could spend it fighting battles

word tasted like ash. “I’ll

across

continued, my voice

delete them. Simple

hold you to that.” The irony of trusting his promises wasn’t lost

I walked through the sliding doors. The private room bustled with activity, but something felt off. The doctors and nurses rushing around weren’t actually

masterpiece of medical theater. She lay in bed, face artfully pale, oxygen mask in place, surrounded by dramatically beeping machines. To my practiced eye – too familiar now with genuine critical care – the artifice was obvious. Her breathing was too measured, her coloring

extended a trembling hand, her voice

kept my voice flat. “I heard you were in critical condition

of anger crossed her face, quickly masked as the door opened behind us. On cue, she clutched her chest, coughing delicately. “I

at her side instantly, his tone filled with concern. “Laurel!

need, Blake, please… I

hesitated, protective instincts warring with her

a brave smile. “Miss Sinclair

Blake released her hand and turned to leave. As he passed me, he lowered his voice, speaking only loud enough for me to hear: *Remember

palms. “Don’t worry. I won’t

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Me Before Death

Chapter 81

Chapter 80

heart leap into my throat. I bit my lip hard, eyes drawn to the screen despite averything in me screaming to

was Astrid Wilson

me through everything–my diagnosis, the love of the baby, the crumbling of my marriage now being used as a pawn in Blake’s

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