Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 225

Audrey’s POV

I set down the phone and looked up at Astrid.

“Astrid, the clock’s ticking,” I said quietly. “You know that now. Two months is just what Dr. Evans put on paper.

‘Let’s be real about late–stage gastric cancer. In a few weeks, I’ll probably be stuck in some ICU bed with tubes coming out of me. I opened my eyes and met her gaze. “Then what? Think the Roses will let me visit Rachel when I can’t even walk?”

My fists clenched at my sides. All I could think about was Rachel lying alone at Twilight Mansion while I was shut out.

The color drained from Astrid’s face as reality sank in.

“Jesus, Audrey,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You can’t waste what little time you have fighting those people. If they catch you sneaking around their property…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence. We both knew I couldn’t afford to get tied up in legal battles now.

Astrid wiped her eyes and sat beside me, taking my cold hand in her warm one.

‘Look, I get it. Rachel was with you through hell before I even came along. You two are/practically sisters.” She squeezed my hand. “But there’s gotta be another way.”

She glanced down at my hand, now little more than skin and bone. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid? Anything that would give them ammo against you?”

I stared at our hands for a long moment before pulling mine away.

Astrid’s face fell. “Audrey – ”

Before she could finish, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close.

“I promise,” I mumbled against her shoulder. “Four years without Rachel, and you never left my side. You both matter to me equally. I’d never rank one friend over another.”

Astrid broke down, tears streaming down her face. “Seeing you this worked up over Rachel, I did feel jealous for a second there,” she admitted. “Thanks for not making me feel like crap about it.”

You’re too good for this shit. Twenty–five and

smile. ‘Could be worse. At least I had you

Parker, I thought to

Laurel’s POV

night air watching Blake’s car. He was still inside, wreathed in cigarette smoke, finishing a call. His jaw was set, face tense in the dim glow of the dashboard

noticed me

raced through the evening’s events, piecing everything together. It had started with Victoria Sinclair’s call. At first, I thought she was lying about Blake and Audrey

paid for her meal, and she spilled everything – how Blake used

highway surveillance footage showed Audrey leading Blake to

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Chapter 225

years trying to erase.

especially the clinic. Then I built a similar village on the other side of town, complete with a renovated hospital. I paid people to back my story took wate there regularly to

had gotten used to Blake’s protection and money. When I came back from Europe, my parents made it clear I

Audrey had taken Blake back to Pinehaven. If he figured out what I’d done, everything would fall apart. That’s why I’d called with

out his cigarette and got out, walking toward me with an unreadable

out here?‘ he

said. “I came out the second your car pulled up, but you just sat there making calls

the phone? Are you pissed that I ruined your

no idea you were with her. I wouldn’t have interrupted if I’d known. If you still want her, go back to her. Our promise from five years ago – let’s just

to leave, but Blake caught my wrist.

chore that you need a cigarette break

“That’s not why I

phone to show him the restaurant receipt. “Victoria

“If I hadn’t called, would you two have

Blake’s eyes. “That’s not what this is. Audrey and I, we can’t get

it,” he

to spill. “I know you don’t love me. I just want closure before

against him. “Let’s get engaged. Next

as he put his

his shirt, voice breaking. “Don’t say no. This is your promise – my dying

cut in. ‘We’ll