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.

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

room for discussion.

down. With my free

paws.

your mother’s birthday. Make it three tiers –

I didn’t immediately respond, his tone sharpened. “Audrey Sinclair,

“I’m listening,” I replied.

aren’t you responding?” he demanded. “When an elder speaks, you acknowledge them. Basic etiquette. You’ve been away from that small

this much?”

you were speaking, you told me

quiet, and

father! You should listen to whatever I say. How dare you talk back?” Richard’s voice rose. “Is this how they raised you in that town? No

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

did was wrong.

Richard declared. “I’m calling to remind you about Victoria’s birthday. Order the cake,

about to hang up, I

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Chapter 137

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 Blake’s company. Every conversation was a transaction, never

“Hello,” I answered.

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

– straight

to

room for discussion.

With my free hand, I picked

paws.

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

didn’t immediately respond, his tone sharpened. “Audrey Sinclair,

“I’m listening,” I replied.

elder speaks, you acknowledge them. Basic etiquette. You’ve been away from that small town for

this much?”

rubbed my temples. “Last time I responded while you

I stay quiet, and that’s

should listen to whatever I say. How dare you talk back?” Richard’s voice rose. “Is this how they raised you in that

during marital problems, I

did was wrong.

you about Victoria’s birthday. Order the cake, get

he was about to hang up, I

Chapter 137

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

thought my birthday was the 17th until

Victoria’s birthday on the 15th for seventeen years. After our switch, they developed selective amnesia – forgetting anyone had a birthday on the 15th, only remembering the

filled the line. “Your

was yesterday,” he finally

you feel ignored because we didn’t wish you happy birthday?” He sounded defensive. “We’re busy. If you don’t remind us, how are we