Chapter 263

Audrey’s POV

I sat on the rusty hospital bed in the abandoned clinic, watching the ocean through broken windows. The sea breeze carried salt and memories, making this forgotten place feel strangely like home.

My phone felt heavy in my hand as I dialed Felix.

“Audrey?” His voice came through immediately. “Where the hell are you?”

“Somewhere quiet.”

“Dr. Evans said you vanished.” Worry sharpened his tone. “You can’t just disappear like this. Not in your condition.”

I traced a finger along the peeling paint beside me. “My illness isn’t going anywhere, Felix. Whether I stay put or not… does it matter? Just take care of Rachel for me.”

“Are you serious right now?” His voice rose. “My grandfather might have options for you. Experimental treatments. Something. By running away, you’re throwing everything away!

“Come back, please” he demanded.

I sighed. “Dr. Clarke came to New York because of Mayo Clinic. Dr. Evans is his friend. If I return, I’ll have to face her. I’m

not ready for that yet.”

The line went quiet before Felix spoke again, softer now. “I could find you somewhere they won’t look. Just come back,

okay?”

“Let me think first.” I ended the call and turned off my phone.

The silence felt good. I leaned back, letting my thoughts settle. Dr. Evans had been my doctor, my protector – she’d even canceled vacation to care for me. But she’d also used me, letting Laurel Rose pretend to have my illness while knowing

how that woman treated me.

I moved to the window, looking out at the familiar shore. Five years ago, I’d cared for Blake here when he couldn’t see or recognize me. In this very room, he gave me his mother’s pendant – my most treasured possession until I learned how

little it meant to him. Five years, and he never once searched for the woman who saved him.

A soft sound broke into my thoughts.

“Meow!”

I turned around, startled.

“Meow!”

ragdoll cat, bounded toward me from

he ran

up, burying my face in his fur as he purred against me. “I’ve

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Chapter 263

be here? Had Astrid brought him? That made no sense she didn’t know about this place. We’d met

“I brought it.”

the doorway froze me

days ago, his face unshaven. Heyes locked onto me with an intensity that made my

tried to speak but

with purpose. Despite

he ” I managed,

off. “Your phone’s been off. No

an old man, Audrey.

back, clutching Snow tighter. “You’re blaming me for

you blocked the plane William arranged for me.

wrist. “If you cared at all, you’d have visited William after

makes you think I didn’t?” I shot back. “How do you think he woke

Blake’s POV

at the hospital – the nurse with Dr. Evans, someone whose silhouette seemed familiar. Before I could question her, William had

sense why William had been urging me to declare Audrey dead, to arrange her

wrist and reached for Snow, pulling him from her arms. She seemed startled, grabbing at one of Snow’s back legs

my chest with a soft

face fell as she released

have my cat back?” she

I couldn’t help saying. “I knows

didn’t abandon

important as smuggling Rachel Hayes away?” I

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Chapter 263

with Rachel?”

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