Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

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Chapter 137

Audrey’s POV

After we finished at the boutique, Blake took us to Parker Group’s jewelry store. Despite the tension, I helped Laurel and Thalia pick pieces for tomorrow’s ceremony.

Blake was in an unusually good mood. He not only bought me the red dress but offered jewelry too, which I declined. I accepted the dress partly because I needed something formal, and partly out of defiance – if he wanted me at his proposal, I’d make damn sure I stood out.

By evening, I dragged my exhausted body into a taxi and headed home.

I kicked off my heels at the door and changed into soft loungewear. Every muscle ached from the day’s tension.

“Snow,” I called. A white ball of fluff emerged from under the sofa and trotted over to nuzzle my ankles.

I scooped him up, burying my face in his fur. “At least you’re always happy to see me.”

Setting Snow down, I grabbed water and collapsed onto my sofa. The day with Blake and the Parker women had drained me completely.

At this moment, my phone rang. I reached for it, expecting Astrid checking in after my day with the

Parkers. I wanted to tell her about Blake’s weird behavior.

Instead, the screen showed Richard Sinclair. My biological father.

I stared at the phone, old memories surfacing. The Sinclairs‘ nanny had a niece born around the same time as me. Seeing an opportunity, she swapped us before I was a month old, sending me to a small town while her niece Victoria took my place in the mansion.

Growing up wasn’t easy. My foster parents had heavy hands and heavier expectations. Victoria, meanwhile, enjoyed everything that should have been mine.

At seventeen, Victoria’s kidneys failed. The Sinclairs needed a family donor, and blood tests exposed

the truth.

I remember the burst of hope when I learned what happened. This was my ticket out my chance at the loving family I’d never had./

Reality hit hard. The Sinclairs might have taken me in, but they never truly accepted me. Richard, Elaine, and Victoria remained a tight unit. I was just the biological inconvenience who’d shown up too late.

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During my marriage to Blake, Richard stayed distant. Only after Blake woke from hla coma dia. Richard suddenly remember he had a daughter – now conveniently married to a business tycoon, Ill last call came two months ago, fishing for a partnership with Blake’s company. Every conversation was a transaction, never a check–in.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Victoria keeps mentioning how long it’s been since she’s seen her sister and brother–in–law,” Richard said without greeting.

Classic Richard – straight to the point.

to celebrate,” he continued, his tone

room for discussion.

and set it down. With my free hand, I picked

paws.

cake Victoria liked from your mother’s birthday. Make it three tiers

respond, his tone sharpened. “Audrey Sinclair, are

“I’m listening,” I replied.

why aren’t you responding?” he demanded. “When an elder speaks, you acknowledge them. Basic etiquette. You’ve been away from that small town for years. How have you not

this much?”

rubbed my temples. “Last time I responded while you were speaking, you told me not to

stay quiet, and

dare you talk back?” Richard’s voice rose. “Is this how

women could confide in their parents during marital problems, I couldn’t even tell them about my terminal cancer. Yet in their

did was wrong.

remind you about Victoria’s birthday. Order the cake, get a gift, and bring

he was about to hang up, I interrupted,

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Chapter 137

after Blake woke from his come did. Richard suddenly remember he had a daughter – now conveniently married to a business tycoon. His last call came two months ago, fishing for a partnership with

“Hello,” I answered.

how long it’s been since she’s seen her sister and brother–in–law, Richard said

straight to

birthday. Bring Mr. Parker to celebrate,” he continued, his

room for discussion.

speaker and set it down. With my free hand, I picked up Snow,

paws.

Victoria liked from your mother’s birthday. Make it three

respond, his tone

“I’m listening,” I replied.

acknowledge them. Basic etiquette. You’ve been away from that small town

this much?”

temples. “Last time I responded while you

quiet,

I say. How dare you talk back?” Richard’s voice rose. “Is this how they raised

had never liked me. While other women could confide in their parents during marital problems, I couldn’t even tell them about my terminal cancer.

did was wrong.

declared. “I’m calling to remind you about Victoria’s birthday. Order the cake, get a gift, and

hang

Chapter 137

took a breath. You remember tomorrow Is Victoria’s birthday. Do you

birthdays were reversed in official records. For seventeen years, I thought my birthday was the 17th until our identities were corrected. Though records couldn’t be

years. After our switch, they developed selective amnesia – forgetting anyone had a birthday

the

was yesterday,” he finally

feel ignored because we didn’t wish you happy birthday?” He sounded defensive. “We’re busy.