Chapter 130

Astrid emerged pushing a cake with lit candles, leading everyone in song.

“Audrey, happy birthday!”

My eyes filled with tears. After college, I’d married Blake and lost touch with these friends. Now they were here, crammed into my rented apartment to celebrate.

“Look, she’s crying!” Astrid teased.

“Yes, you all moved me to tears, I admitted.

My college classmates, design course friends – faces I hadn’t seen in years all smiled warmly.

“Don’t cry,” said a college friend, squeezing my arm. “When you graduated and went straight into marriage, we thought it was a waste. You could’ve done amazing things with jewelry design.”

She handed me a tissue. “We saw the divorce news yesterday.”

Today uni

celebrating your birthday and your rebirth! Another friend raised her glass.

“Yes!” I nodded through tears.

The party buzzed around me. Astrid had planned everything food, drinks, music, games. It felt like our carefree college days again.

with a

suddenly understood

but I didn’t know how,” he admitted sheepishly.

too far earlier.

planning this gift for a while. Hope you

you, James!” I

Astrid had booked. Glasses clinked, songs filled the air, and laughter

mic, looking gleeful. “Blake Parker rented a bar for his divorce,

She swa

this room, and we’re

1/3

Chapter 130

had been too

until dawn, when everyone finally headed home with promises

I sank onto the sofa, still buzzing from the celebration. The simple gifts from my friends meant more than any expensive jewelry Blake hall

until I found one

were

Rachel had been gone for four years, but reaching out to her

Laurel’s POV

disappear down the driveway, the cold evening

would Blake

the living room, keeping my steps measured despite my boiling anger.

my coat, frowning. “Where’s

“She went to the hospital

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