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!”

heart jumped. Snow, my fluffy white ragdoll cat, bounded

knees as he ran to me. “How

burying my face in his fur

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Chapter 263

didn’t know about this place. We’d met four years ago, long after I’d left Blake, and

“I brought it.”

from the doorway froze

days ago, his face unshaven. Heyes

tried to speak but nothing

me, each step heavy with purpose. Despite the open windows, the air

I

cut me off. “Your phone’s

He’s an old man, Audrey. Is this how you treat people you claim to

clutching Snow tighter. “You’re

wasn’t my fault. And you blocked the plane William arranged for me. You knew he supported

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

shot back. “How do you think he

Blake’s POV

that night at the hospital – the nurse with Dr. Evans, someone whose silhouette seemed familiar. Before

urging me to declare Audrey dead, to arrange her funeral. The old man

for Snow, pulling him from her arms. She seemed startled, grabbing at one of

chest

fell as she

I have my cat

Snow has an opinion too,” I couldn’t help

paled. “I didn’t abandon

it was as important as smuggling Rachel Hayes

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Chapter 263

with Rachel?”

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