Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 445

Audrey’s POV

“I’ll pass, I told the driver after settling in the backseat.

Astrid’s disappointment was immediate. “You’re not coming?”

“If Henry wasn’t planning to propose, maybe I’d join you. But I’d just be a third wheel,” I explained. “Plus, I promised William I’d stay with Blake until he recovers. He’s just woken up, and someone needs to handle the funeral.

‘But – ”

“It’s funny,” I smiled, “Before you lost your memory, you’d have jumped at alone time with Henry. Now you’re hesitating?”

I softened my tone. “You’ve only forgotten your feelings, not lost them. Trust me, you were crazy about him. Just give it a chance – it might even help bring back your real memories.”

She sighed. “Fine. Should I call this Arden guy now?”

‘Something feels off about him. Talk to Henry first let him check Arden out before making contact.”

‘Got it.”

–

I hung up and watched the city lights pass by. My mind was already filling with my real priorities.

In just three days since William’s death, Elizabeth had positioned herself as the Parker family’s new queen bee. She was everywhere in New York high society, making sure everyone knew who was in charge now.

The gossip was brutal: Parker dynasty crumbling, Blake in a coma, Rebecca having a breakdown, and only Elizabeth’s family and “worthless” Thalia left standing. Thalia herself seemed broken, meekly following Elizabeth’s lead without resistance.

Parker Group was rapidly falling under Elizabeth’s control, and Olivia – once just Thalia’s follower had transformed overnight into New York’s golden girl.

I sat in an unmarked van across from the funeral home, watching the surveillance feed with Blake. Olivia and Elizabeth were talking in what they thought was a private room.

“Mom, this is amazing!” Olivia clutched Elizabeth’s hands. “You always said pretending to like Thalia would pay off someday. I didn’t believe you! I even hated you when Blake sent me to that awful school. But now…”

a diamond ring, practically vibrating with excitement. “The

is just the start. We’ve barely

smile turned calculating. “After the funeral, we’ll check on Blake, see if he’s

not doing well. Still unresponsive, even after hearing about William’s

need to help him move on. Blake

“So we’d get all of Parker Group if he

share,” Elizabeth smirked. “But you

I ever!”

1/3

a funeral. Try looking sad, not like you

Olivia quickly composed herself.

watched the feed silently, his jaw tight. Michael stood next to him, nervously shifting his

know you’re awake, Michael said.

behind his calm exterior. “What’s your plan

can do to someone is let them think they’ve won, then take everything away

I won’t fight Elizabeth at his funeral,” he said firmly. She can throw him a cheap sendoff if

narrowed. “But

him carefully. This was the Blake I remembered – dangerous, powerful, commanding.

me staring and our eyes met. I looked away quickly, uncomfortable

decorations. They efficiently transformed the venue, replacing Elizabeth’s cheap arrangements with ones worthy of

transformed. She started forward to protest but thought

I helped Michael get Blake’s wheelchair to William’s casket. Blake stared through

sorry I’m late,’

stayed there, pouring out everything he wished he could have told William regrets, promises, love. He

With each word Blake spoke, I could picture William smiling. Tears streamed down my face without

been our strongest connection, the kindest person in our harsh world. Now Blake had lost his last real family

“They’re getting suspicious and demanding to come

took one last look at William. “Let’s

grabbed his wheelchair handles and guided him toward the back

Blake’s POV