Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Audrey & POV

As I pushed through the revolving doors of the hospital, night had fallen over New York, the streetlights casting long shadows across the sidewalki

My Fingers moved automatically to my temporary phone, dialing James. The automated voice told me his phone was off

That’s weird, I muttered, trying again with the same result.

James never turned off his phone, and being unreachable wasn’t an option for a Cartier executive.

I was scrolling through my limited contacts when Astrid’s red car pulled up.

‘Get in,” she called, pushing open the passenger door.

I slid into the leather seat. “Tean’t reach James.”

“I know.” Astrid’s fingers tapped the steering wheel. ‘I’ve tried him too.”

“His phone’s off,” I said. “That never happens.”

“What’s going on?” Astrid asked, pulling into traffic. “Why would James disappear this late?”

I watched buildings blur past. “Maybe he doesn’t want to face what happened.”

The marriage certificate photos, the online post destroying Laurel’s reputation while tanking Parker Group’s stock–it all pointed to James.

“Astrid, I turned to her. “Do you know where James lives?”

Her hands tightened on the wheel. The flash of discomfort on her face was unmistakable.

“Astrid?” I pressed when she said nothing.

The car hummed through Manhattan traffic, Astrid’s silence stretching between us. Finally, she sighed.

“James lives in your neighborhood.”

I blinked. “What?”

“The apartment you’re renting? He recommended it to you.”

“My apartment…” The words felt strange. “Was recommended by James?”

“Yes,” Astrid admitted. “When I was looking for a place for you, James suggested that if you lived in the same neighborhood, you could look out for each

other.”

stared at her profile,

play matchmaker,” she added quickly. ‘You were miserable with Blake, and James always cared about you. I thought maybe…” She

I pressed my fingers against them. “Why didn’t

said not to. He didn’t want you feeling uncomfortable or

Astrid about that today, I would never have known I unknowingly

1/3

tho it.

my eyes, regneaffing

and came to Los Angeles, the contined. I told you

in crimson.

worried about William and the family’s reputation. But this morning, after Laurel’s fans called you a homewrecker,

should ve seen Laurel getting destroyed online

The reaction had been swift-#LaurelThellomewrecker trending, Parker Group’s stock plummeting, celebrities weighing

think posted those photos?

up. “You don’t think

you better.” Her confidence warmed me. “If you were that ruthless, Blake wouldn’t have delayed your divorce for months. She rolled her eyes.

over me. First William

Except Blake.

people around me

of his fingers on my throat, his eyes cold with accusation–not a second’s hesitation before blaming me. A chill

really doesn’t

the city blur

turned into my familiar neighborhood, but

up outside

I’d

I asked, though I knew the

“Yep.”

glancing toward the direction of my apartment. I had no idea my

doors opened, James

you doing here? His voice cracked with

garbage bags. “Astrid, could you take these out? I

eyes but took the bags. “Fine. But you

the elevator doors close, waiting until the indicator showed she’d descended

kept my voice steady. “Did you

shoulders slumped. Without answering, he opened his apartment door.

James’s apartment felt like crossing a boundary, but discussing this in