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.

found some interesting material on the owner’s computer.” Blake continued, his voice as cold and

in my body tense as he

drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling between us like a living

Take a look.“

Chapter 80

my lip hard, eyes drawn to the screen despite averything in

the screen was Astrid Wilson in her underwear, searching

diagnosis, the love of

despicable!” The words tore

I didn’t want to resort

of the car doors unlocking punctuated his

apologize now, or I’ll have

knew. The one who’d held me through nightmares, whose hand I’d held through blindness and coma. Where had that man gone? Or had he been

its glass and steel structure gleaming in the afternoon sun. The drive from Parker Mansion should have taken thirty minutes Blake had done it in less than fifteen. Another testament to how far he’d go for Laurel Rose. Speed limits, blackmail, whatever remnants of decency still existed between

left. I could spend it fighting

word tasted like ash. “I’ll

flickered across

my voice low,

I delete

trusting his promises wasn’t lost on me.

bustled with activity, but something felt off. The doctors and nurses rushing around weren’t actually carrying equipment or

a 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 too perfect, the equipment arranged for maximum visual impact

a trembling hand, her

my voice flat. “I heard you were in critical condition without my apology. Had

she clutched her chest, coughing delicately. “I never asked for

was at her side instantly, his tone filled with

“No need, Blake, please… I

instincts

She managed a brave smile. “Miss Sinclair and I…

and turned to leave. As he passed me, he lowered his voice, speaking only

“Don’t worry. I won’t risk

2/3

Before Death Takes

Chapter 81

Chapter 80

I bit my lip hard, eyes drawn

was Astrid Wilson in

had stood by me through everything–my diagnosis, the love of the baby,

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