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.

Mr. Parker to celebrate,”

room for discussion.

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

paws.

Victoria liked from your mother’s birthday. Make

immediately respond, his tone sharpened. “Audrey

“I’m listening,” I replied.

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

this much?”

“Last time I responded while you were speaking, you told

I stay quiet,

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

confide in their parents during marital problems, I couldn’t even tell them about my

did was wrong.

calling to remind you about Victoria’s birthday.

was about to hang up, I interrupted, “Mr.

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Chapter 137

after Blake woke from his come did. Richard suddenly remember he had a daughter – now conveniently married

“Hello,” I answered.

long it’s been since she’s seen her sister

Richard – straight

birthday. Bring Mr. Parker to celebrate,”

room for discussion.

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

paws.

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

tone sharpened. “Audrey Sinclair, are

“I’m listening,” I replied.

you acknowledge them. Basic etiquette. You’ve been away from that small town for years. How have you not learned

this much?”

temples. “Last time I responded while you were speaking, you told

I stay quiet, and that’s wrong

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

Sinclairs 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. Yet in

did was wrong.

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

hang up, I interrupted,

Chapter 137

a breath. You remember tomorrow Is Victoria’s birthday. Do you recall when mine

15th, her on the 17th. Due to our switched Identities, our 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 changed, I started celebrating on the 15th, which is why my friends came yesterday. Victoria

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

the line.

it was yesterday,” he

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