Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 136

Audrey’s POV

The red dress hugged my body perfectly. Standing before the full–length mirror, I barely recognized myself. The ruby embellishments caught the light with every movement, making the dress seem

alive.

“Audrey Sinclair, I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?” Thalia’s voice cut through the boutique, sharp and impatient.

I ignored her, smoothing the fabric over my hips. With only three months left to live, why shouldn’t I be bold? The vibrant red made my skin glow against my newly cut short hair.

“What, gone mute now too?” she snapped, her reflection glaring at me in the mirror.

Rachel’s voice echoed in my memory: “You were born to wear red, Audrey.”

I thought about when the Sinclairs found me – their biological daughter who’d been switched at birth. They brought me home from my small town, but I always felt then comparing me to the girl. who’d grown up in my place – Victoria Sinclair. I never quite measured up.

Back then, I wore grays and blacks, trying to disappear in crowds. It was Rachel who dragged me into that department store, insisting I try on that first red dress.

“Don’t let being raised in a small town make you feel inferior,” she’d said, her eyes bright with certainty. “You’re a Sinclair by blood – it’s not your fault you were switched at birth.”

She squeezed my shoulders as I’d stood nervously in that first red dress. “They prefer that fake daughter because they’re blind. It’s not your failure.”

“You should be beautiful and vibrant,” she’d insisted. “Let everyone see you!”

The memory brought a bittersweet ache. If Rachel could see me now, vibrant in red rather than hiding in the background, she’d be thrilled.

“Hello? Earth to Audrey!” Thalia’s voice grew louder, breaking through my thoughts.

I turned slightly, running a hand through my short hair, and gave her a dismissive glance.

“Thalia, I asked her to try it on Blake’s voice was firm and calm. “Don’t forget, she’s attending tomorrow’s ceremony.”

Thalia snorted. “Brother, she’s your–ex–wife now.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s one thing to invite her to your ceremony tomorrow, but

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try on something like this?” She gestured toward the red dress

he might gift it to me if I liked it,”

have

stare. “It’s

the store!” Thalia’s voice went up an octave. “Both Laurel and I thought it

glared at me. “Yet she

your brother’s finances,” I replied, smoothing the dress, “you wouldn’t

costs five times what it should. Pretty

drain his accounts every

dress. “I’m his actual sister! He should

direction. “You’re divorced! Stop taking advantage

darling, you chose to leave with

didn’t matter to

dramatically. “But if they do… why act so noble during

cameras?”

like this? Blake only tolerates these demands out of sentimentality. Anyone else

She knew nothing about what Blake and I had discussed, yet could fabricate a whole narrative making me seem like I was

my ex–husband.

hesitant voice broke through the tension. “This

choose a dress…”

didn’t

”

quickly slapped a hand over her colleague’s mouth and pulled her

uncertain.

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nodded without hesitation. “Yes. You know she’s

red… appropriate

smiled, a hint of challenge in my eyes. “Why wouldn’t it be appropriate? I think it’s

WI

at her engagement. I’d steal attention just by existing. Which was exactly my plan. If Blake wanted his

rubbed his temples, clearly tired of the

a saleswoman. “I’ll take all three dresses they’re

Parker!” The saleswoman

said with mock sweetness, gathering–the dress and heading to

Blake’s POV

Audrey, who stood calmly with her shopping bag. The