Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 436

Audrey’s POV

The driver hesitated, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, he finally said, lowering his voice. “But given who you are, I might as well be straight with you.”

He took a breath before continuing. “That cruise five years ago – Leo wasn’t keen on going. He hated those events, and he didn’t want Blake exposed to that side of the business world.”

“But these cruises can be dangerous, right?” I asked.

“Exactly. He nodded. ‘Blake was dying to go, but Leo always refused.”

He gripped the wheel tighter. “Until he got an email from Australia. His old flame’s sister wanted to meet him – said she had something left for him. That’s the only reason he agreed to take Blake.”

He sighed. “Poor guy just wanted a memento from his first love. Instead, he lost his life.”

I leaned back, processing this. Eleanor wasn’t on that ship – her sister Evelyn was. My biological sister.

Whenever my adoptive mother mentioned the New York Parkers, she would seethe with hatred, especially about Leo. Her face would twist with rage, like she wanted to tear them apart.

Was returning Leonora’s memento just a cover story? Had the real purpose been to lure Leo onto that ship to die in the disaster?

A chill ran through me. Maybe I shouldn’t think such things about my sister’s adoptive parents… but everything seemed so strange.

“Ma’am.”

The driver’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. He had pulled over to the side of the road.

*Blake never knew about this,” he said, his expression serious. “After the shipwreck, I told William. He stayed quiet for a long while, then told me to keep it from Blake.”

His eyes found mine in the mirror. “He wanted Blake to remember that his father’s final act was supporting him in business, not chasing a memento from some long-dead girlfriend.”

He looked at me imploringly. “Could you also keep this between us?”

After a moment’s consideration, I nodded. “I will.”

memories of his father wouldn’t help anyone, least of

me, though, I added with

need for

once the Parker family’s daughter-in-law and William’s favorite. I’ve never

outsider.

covered the nursing home’s tree-lined path as I stepped from the car.

Chapter 436

heap of garbage trying to help me. I never

awakened, Blake had consistently tried to

–

our time on Long Island to taking a

his remorse was genuine. I could sense his good intentions, but accepting his belated depth of feeling remained difficult.

Charles’s eyes widened when I reached William’s floor. “What about

him,’ I explained, glancing toward

fell. “After emergency treatment, William’s a bit better than on the wedding

hard. “The doctors say he doesn’t have

“If they removed the

old butler’s eyes. “If I’d known how badly that livestream would affect him, I never would have shown it to him. Blake specifically said not to let him see anything related

tissue from my purse. “Don’t blame yourself. No one will hold this against you –

done well enough. William’s condition now… it’s

“Thank you

condition is a bit better than before. He’s conscious

he said, stepping

quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of machines. During the brief silences between beeps, I heard William’s labored breathing – raspy like

tighten as I sensed his

Audrey, I’ve come to see

his eyes opened and turned toward me. When his clouded eyes found my face, he paused momentarily before tears welled up

oxygen mask, trembled as he tried to speak. Despite his evident effort, only unintelligible sounds

to speak,” I said gently. I know you’re upset because

Blake not being Rebecca’s son. He’s

tried to sound reassuring. His announcement at the wedding shows he’s come to

had DNA tests done many times while Leo was alive. He’s

will change that.”

because he’s been handling everything from the wedding. It’s not that he doesn’t want