Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 276

Blake's POV

| sat in the back seat, Laurel's head against my shoulder, her tears soaking my shirt. My thoughts kept drifting to

Audrey - still leaning against that wall when | walked out.

Why hadn’t she gotten up? Had she... completely given up on me? The thought made my chest tighten.

While Laurel sniffled beside me, | discreetly pulled out my phone and texted Michael: “Lift security at Lunar

Mansion. Let Astrid Wilson in to check on Audrey.”

With Astrid by her side, she’d feel better. Once everything was resolved, I'd explain my actions. Audrey would

understand - she always did.

“Blake, where are we going?” Laurel finally noticed the unfamiliar scenery outside. “This isn't the way to Mayo

Clinic...”

| snapped back from my thoughts. “We're going to the harbor.”

“But weren't you takingto a hospital?”

“That's right. There's an island near New York. Dr. Clarke's team is there - I'm taking you to them.”

Laurel bit her lip, suddenly nervous. “I'm really fine. Audrey only madedrink stoilet water. | don’t think

we need to bother

with -

“What's bothering about it?” | cut her off. “I've always said I'd find the best doctors for your treatment. Dr.

Clarke's team is precisely who | brought to the country for you.”

“But -

“No buts. Your health comes first.”

Thalia and Olivia burst into laughter from the front seats.

“Aww, how sweet!” Thalia giggled. “You're this devoted before marriage - what'll it be like after? A couple kids

within three years?”

| ignored them, watching Laurel instead. Her eyes darted around like a trapped animal’s. The desperation in

them confirmed what | already suspected.

Audrey's POV

| didn’t want to die like this on a bathroom floor with blood matting my hair.

Snow foundfirst. My fluffy white cat padded in, meowing softly before lying beside my head. His rough

tongue licked my fingers, the tiny barbs creating just enough pain to keepfrom slipping away completely.

‘Audrey - 1”

Astrid burst through the door. | heard her ankle twist as her heels gave way beneath her, but she didn’t even

flinch. She dropped to her knees, gatheringinto her arms.

“Audrey, what happened? Wake up! Didn't your illness still give you two months?”

| wanted to comfort her but couldn’t form words. Behind her, James stood in the doorway, his face going white as

he noticed the

1/3

apter

nail on the wall.

“There's a nail on that wall,” he said, “Someone pushed her head against it.”

Astrid looked at the bloody evidence and screamed. “Who would do this to her? She only has two months left!”

Ethan appeared in the doorway, quickly assessing the situation before crouching beside me. His fingers found

my pulse.

“She can still be saved,” he said. “Let's get her to the hospital. Now.”

He slid his arms beneathand liftedfrom the floor. James helped Astrid.

“Con,” Astrid whispered, scooping up Snow. “Let’s go take care of your mommy.”

As Ethan carriedout, the world blurred.

Blake's POV

E

71246

At the dock, Laurel stared at the yacht with obvious reluctance. Each step she took seemed to require enormous

effort. When she reached the edge of the floating dock, she looked back at me.

Blake, | just remembered | haven't told my parents where I'm going. Could |

[e]

“Don’t worry,” | smiled slightly. “I'll arrange for them to join us on Long Island. I'm sure Dr. Clarke’s team will find

a way to treat your late-stage cancer. Your parents will be thrilled.”

Without giving her tto respond, | picked her up and strode toward the yacht. | wasn't particularly enjoying

carrying her, but |

couldn't risk her jumping into the water out of desperation.

Minutes later, we were at sea. Laurel sat beside me, stealing nervous glances when she thought | wasn’t looking.

0g

“Blake...” she said finally, “if | told you I've been keeping things from you, deceiving you... what would you do?”

| turned toward her, my smile not reaching my eyes. “What things specifically?”

“Just... hypothetically speaking.”

“You wouldn't lie to me,” | laughed lightly. “Remember what | told you five years ago? | said | despise people who

lie with false

emotions.”

“I haven't forgotten,” she replied with an awkward laugh.

Five years ago, | never said anything like that.

Three hours later, | carried Laurel onto Long Island. I'd kept her in my arms the entire journey, preventing any

escape attempts. Thalia and Olivia followed, chattering about the scenery,

“This place is gorgeous!” Thalia exclaimed.

Normally not talkative, today | made an exception. “We should build a villa here someday.”

Laurel looked up, surprised by my chattiness.

“In the future, | want to hold our wedding right here,” | continued, watching her reaction.

a0

Chapter 276

“Look at him,” Olivia whispered loudly. “Now that he’s found his true love, he can’t stop talking!”

Laurel grew increasingly uneasy in my arms. She tried to speak several times, but | strategically interrupted each

attempt with more talk about our supposed future.

So she could feel fear after all. Pretending to be my savior from five years ago, faking an illness she'd been so

bold when lying, but now her mask was slipping.

The medical facility appeared ahead, a modern building among palm trees. | strode through the doors, still

carrying Laurel, and headed for reception. Staff guided us to an examination room where | finally set her down

on a hospital bed.

“My fiancée has late-stage gastric cancer, | told the doctor with practiced concern. “She only has about two

months left. Please examine her thoroughly.”

The doctor nodded with a knowing smile. “Don’t worry, Mr. Parker. We have specialists in late-stage gastric

cancer. We'll do our best to diagnose and treat your fiancée!”

Before Laurel could protest, a group of doctors and nurses surrounded her, holding her firmly as they began

wheeling her away for “examination.” Her panicked eyes met mine one last tbefore she disappeared down

the corridor.

Thalia rushed to my side. “You're amazing, Blake. With you taking care of her, she’ll definitely get better.”

“Totally,” Olivia nodded eagerly. “Poor Laurel. I'm praying for my future sister-in-law’s recovery...”

| dropped the act. The show was over.

“Sister-in-law?” | turned, ice replacing the warmth in my voice. “When exactly did that happen?”

“Did | marry her while | wasn’t looking? Did we even finish the engagement?”

Olivia backed away like she'd touched a live wire. Thalia’s smile faltered.

“What's going on?” Thalia asked, her confidence cracking. “I thought you two were-"

“Were what?” | cut her off. “In love? She's been playingfor four goddamn years. You think I'd actually have

feelings for someone

like that?”

| stepped closer, watching them both shrink back. “And you two...”

My voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “Last twasn’t enough of a warning, was it? Since you're such

big fans of Laurel, maybe you'd like to join her when she’s locked up. | could arrange that.”

The color drained from Thalia’s face. “Locked up? What are you talking about? Laurel was...

lying to you?”

word

word

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLHI0RAO&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWL1i10f1ifl0&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

word

word

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWLHI0RAO&1

mmMwWLIII0fiflo&1

mmMwWL1i10f1ifl0&1

mmMwWLIiI0fiflO&1