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.”

profile, too

to play matchmaker,” she added quickly. ‘You were miserable with Blake, and James always

throbbed, and I pressed my fingers

not to. He didn’t want

revelation left me quite resigned. If I hadn’t asked Astrid about that today,

1/3

tho it.

my eyes,

you lost the baby and came to Los Angeles, the contined. I told you the best revenge against plake and

light bathed us in crimson. Astrid

family’s reputation. But this morning, after Laurel’s fans called you a homewrecker,

gleamed. You should ve seen Laurel

notifications, eyebrow raised. The reaction had been swift-#LaurelThellomewrecker trending, Parker Group’s stock plummeting, celebrities

posted those photos? Astrid

up. “You don’t

warmed me. “If you were that ruthless, Blake wouldn’t have delayed your divorce for months. She rolled her eyes. “Besides, you care too much. William’s been good to you–you’d never risk hurting Parker Group just for

over me. First

Except Blake.

faith. The people around me

memory of his fingers on my throat, his eyes cold with accusation–not a second’s hesitation before

man really doesn’t trust her

sighed, watching the

turned into my familiar neighborhood, but she finally

up outside

I’d passed countless

place?” I asked,

“Yep.”

glancing toward the direction of my apartment. I had no idea my rented place was so close to James’s

ride was silent. When the doors opened,

Astrid, what are you doing here?

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

but took the

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

steady. “Did you see

Without answering, he opened his

James’s apartment felt like crossing a boundary, but