Audrey’s POV

Thalia looked at me like I’d just asked the dumbest question in the world.

“Tonight is my brother and Laurel’s proposal,” she said with a smirk. “Blake’s been planning it for

over a month.”

I pointed to the decorations. “Then why does everything say ‘Happy Birthday?”

Thalia followed my gesture to a white ribbon hanging from the ceiling. Gold letters spelled “Happy Birthday” across its length.

Her mouth dropped open. “That’s ”

“Look at the gifts too,” Astrid said, nodding toward a corner table stacked with white and gold boxes, each with “Happy Birthday” tags.

Thalia spun around, suddenly noticing all the birthday decorations shed somehow missed. Her composure vanished.

“This is wrong! Where’s security?” she snapped. “This…”

A commotion at the entrance cut her off. Laurel appeared in a blue gown that caught the light perfectly, photographers trailing behind her. Camera flashes bounced off the chandeliers as she paused dramatically.

“Blake darling!” she called.

Blake stepped out from a side door in a black suit. Laurel headed straight for him, looping her arm through his with practiced ease. She turned toward the cameras with a camera–perfect smile.

Reporters swarmed around them.

“Look this way!”

“Perfect couple!”

“Mr. Parker, what’s tonight’s occasion?”

Thalia’s earlier confusion vanished. “It’s starting!” She clapped excitedly. “Laurel’s moment is here!”

She shot me a warning look, “Don’t mess this up.”

“Right, because we’re dying to ruin this special moment for the cheater and his mistress,” Astrid

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muttered, giving Thalia a withering look.

I grabbed some juice from a passing waiter and watched Blake’s face. His jaw was tight as he leaned toward Laurel, whispering something. Whatever was happening, he wasn’t happy about it.

Parker really doing tonight?

Blake’s POV

frowned, keeping

wasn’t what I planned. I’d kept tonight small –

“Don’t you

are you? This helps my career.

kept me away from the spotlight so long,” she added, her

everyone I’m back.”

my head. “Laurel, not everything needs an audience. This was

just the right amount

my frustration. Something felt wrong tonight. I’d planned every detail carefully, inviting

red dress I’d bought her. She stood with Astrid, watching

thought. Why is nothing

Audrey’s POV

Darkness swallowed the ballroom, followed by

nervous laughter.

outage at the Four

be accidental. My brain tried to sort al, and now through the mixed signals – birthday decorations at what was

echoed in my head: “I can’t give her a wedding ceremony.

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Chapter 139

that way about her.”

I’ll throw her a

a cold smile form in the darkness. I’d thought he’d forgotten that casual promise, especially after rushing to propose to

in the distance. As my eyes adjusted, I saw Michael and other Parker Group staff

as they pushed the cake forward, their voices filling the

mistake?” She leaned

birthday?”

made sense. “Maybe,” I said quietly, “it’s

your ID shows today as your

“If Blake’s throwing you a birthday party, that’s wild. First, he got the date wrong – your real birthday was two days ago. After three years together, how could

I thought as

shattered

shrieked. “Turn the lights on

suddenly blazed on. Thalia stormed across the room toward Michael, her pink dress swishing

you doing?” She jabbed a finger at his chest. “Have

stared at her, still holding the

she yelled. “First birthday decorations everywhere, now

spun toward Blake. “Look what your idiot assistant

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