Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 410

Felix’s POV

My foot wouldn't stop tapping as | watched the closed guest room door. Our mansion had turned into a makeshift

ER in minutes - equipment wheeled in, doctors barking orders, that unmistakable copper smell of blood hanging

in the air.

Through the crack in the door, | could see Adrian sitting with his sleeve rolled up, expressionless as his blood

flowed into the tube connected to Blake.

| glanced at Astrid beside me. Even her usual swagger seemed worn down today.

| said, just to break the silence. “Lucky my grandfather Sebastian kept this room stocked with medical gear for

Harrison's research. Without a sterile setup like this... Blake's chances would be way worse.”

Astrid just nodded, eyes fixed on the door.

“So what actually happened?” | pressed. “Everything online is chaos - people are saying Blake died in the Parker

garage! | can't figure out what's true.”

Astrid sighed, giving Adrian a quick look before answering quietly.

*Someone kidnapped Emma. They took her to the Parker garage. Blake went to save her.” She paused like she

was editing her thoughts. “The rest... well, you

can see.”

“That explains why she wanted to give blood,” | muttered. My brain kept spinning with questions. Who targets a

kid? Why Parker Group? How did Blake even know?

The whole thing stank.

“But wait,” | frowned, ‘why bring him here instead of Mayo? Parker Group's had a deal with Mayo forever. Any

employee gets hurt, they go straight there. So why the change today?”

Astrid’s eyes narrowed. “If the people behind Mayo were the ones who hurt Blake, would you want him sent

there?”

I froze. “You think - ”

The door swung open before | could finish. One of the surgeons stepped out, mask pulled down, looking worried.

“Mr. Thompson.”

‘How is he?” | moved forward quickly.

The doctor frowned deeper. “Which one is Audrey Sinclair?”

“What's wrong?”

“Parker's unconscious but keeps saying this name. Won't settle down.” The doctor looked exhausted. “We've

tried everything, but he won't let us work on him.”

He scanned our small group. “Is Ms. Sinclair here? In his condition... her presence might help.

Inside the room, Adrian stood up as the nurse removed his needle. His eyes went cold.

“Audrey’s busy. You'll have to manage without her.”

lie gave the doctor a look that shut down any argument. “Blake isn’t going to die just because she’s not here.”

The doctor's face fell, | could see him struggling between medical necessity and not wanting to push Adrian

further.

“What about sedatives?’ | suggested. “Would that help if he won't calm down?”

“It would, but...”

Audrey's POV

“What sedative are you talking about?*

Everyone turned. | rushed in with Jett beside me, his arm bandaged but otherwise looking okay. My chest felt

tight as | approached them.

“How's Blake? Why does he need sedatives?” | asked.

The doctor looked surprised before sighing. “The patient's unconscious but fighting us. He keeps muttering and

won't let us treat him properly.”

He gestured helplessly. “With his blood loss being so severe, we can’t hold him down. That's why we're

considering sedatives.”

| stood there, trying to process what he was saying.

Ethan suddenly spoke up. “Doctor, this is Audrey Sinclair.” He gavea gentle push forward. “Didn't you say

she could help?”

The doctor's eyes lit up. “Ms. Sinclair!” He grabbed my arm. Please cwith me!”

He practically draggedtoward the emergency room, talking fast. “We've never seen anything like this. He's

terrified of treatment, keeps saying your name, won't let anyone touch him...”

Inside, | wasn’t prepared for what | saw. Blake was deathly pale, bloody bandages across his chest, face twisted

in pain. His lips moved constantly, whispering:

“Audrey, Audrey...”

My heart squeezed painfully.

“Audrey, I'm sorry...”

His voice was so faint | had to lean closer.

‘I know | can’t make it right... no right to ask forgiveness, but Audrey...”

He was lost somewhere between consciousness and darkness.

‘Audrey, | was wrong...”

The doctor pushedinto a chair by the bed. “Please try to calm him. We can’t work while he’s like this.”

| looked at Blake - the man | once loved more than life itself. The man whose coldness nearly killed me. The man

who just saved my daughter.

If this had happened before, | would've crumbled instantly. Would've held his hand, whispered comfort, promised

to stay. But now? After dying once already? Whatever feelings remained, | could handle them. Control them.

| took a deep breath and leaned to his ear.

“Blake Parker.

His body went completely still, like my voice had shocked him.

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Chapter 410

If you want to seeagain, let the doctors work.”

Just like that, the tension left his body. His face relaxed, and he went still except for shallow breathing.

The doctors exchanged shocked looks before quickly getting to work. Blood transfusion resumed, wounds

cleaned, stitches placed.

“What's your relationship with him?” one doctor asked while working. “We tried everything, but he fought us like

crazy. Then you show up, say one sentence, and he’s completely calm... Never seen anything like it.”

| stood up, looking at Blake’s peaceful face. “I'm not Audrey Sinclair. I'm her twin sister.”

| turned to leave, voice cold. “My sister was his ex-wife. He killed her ten months ago.”

| walked out without looking back, leaving them staring.

The moment | stepped into the hall, something crashed into my legs.

“Mommy!”

| knelt down immediately as Emma threw her arms around my neck.

“Is Uncle Blake okay?” Her eyes were huge with worry, bottom lip quivering.

| kissed her forehead, holding her close. “He's fine now, don’t worry.”

“Good!” Her whole face brightened. “He saved me! | hope he gets better fast!”

“He will,” | promised, smoothing her hair. Despite everything, | meant it.

“Audrey.”

| looked up to see Astrid approaching with her phone, face grim.

“You called it. Rachel's got people waiting at Mayo,’ she said, handingher phone. “She’s already telling

everyone Blake's dead. Just waiting to ID the body.”

She made a disgusted sound. “Didn’t expect her to be this eager to bury him.”

Shifting Emma to my hip, | took the phone. On screen, Rachel stood outside what looked like a wedding venue,

reporters swarming around her.

‘Miss Hayes,” one called out, “rumor says today’s Parker Group garage incident involved Mr. Parker himself. As

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

his fiancée,Chapter 411

Audrey's POV

| watched Rachel's interview, frowning at what | saw. Her act was flawless teary eyes, shaky voice, all of it. Too

perfect.

Then | scrolled through the comments, and sure enough, the comments had exploded with theories about Blake.

Sclaimed he was already dead. Others swore he was fighting for his life in the ICU.

If I hadn't seen Blake myself, | might've bought it too. The way Rachel kept saying “if he’s fine” while subtly

suggesting he wasn’t it was masterful manipulation.

| handed the phone back to Astrid, my chest tight.

How is this the sRachel who taughtto drive? Who spent nights helpingpractice for social events?

The woman who beclike a sister to me?

Is she actually hoping Blake is dead?

| couldn’t wrap my head around it. Rachel had pined after Blake for years. She'd stepped into my shoes after my

“death,” playing girlfriend to a man who didn’t recognize her. She'd endured Rebecca’s cruelty, Thalia’s

tantrums, William's confusion - all to stay close to Blake.

How does someone go from that kind of devotion to arranging murder?

Ethan dropped into a chair, running his hands through his hair. “Still can’t believe Rachel would try to kill Blake. |

mean, she was weird about him, but murder?”

He leaned forward. Must be because of that livestream this morning - the way Blake looked at you. People online

went crazy. Then when Rachel stopped your car and you called Blake directly? The way he shut her down without

hesitation?” He shook his head. ‘She must've snapped.”

“That's part of it,” James said, “but there's something bigger most people don’t know.” He paused. “Blake and

Rachel completed their marriage paperwork days ago.”

My breath caught. “They're already legally married?”

“The ceremony was just for show. Under New York law, they're husband and wife.”

Felix whistled. “So if Blake died today...”

‘Rachel inherits a fortune,” James finished. “Blake’s personal wealth is enormous, separate from Parker Group.

His portfohas outperformed the family business three-to-one.”

He looked grim. “Think about it - why stay with a man who doesn’t love you when you could bechis wealthy

widow instead? She'd get his billions and likely keep her position at Parker Group.”

‘She's been Deputy CEO for months now,” he continued. “William's dying. After Blake, only Rebecca, Thalia,

Elizabeth, and Olivia remain - none of whom have ever shown interest in actually running things.”

“Throw enough money their way and they'd let her take over,” Felix added bitterly. “One signature from Blake,

and just like that, she’s set to becone of the most powerful women in New York.”

“This was her plan all along,” Felix said, pacing. “Just waiting for the perfect moment.”

| sat back, stunned. The Rachel | knew had been ambitious, sure, but never murderous. The woman who

arranged Emma's kidnapping and Blake's stabbing was a stranger wearing my friend's face.

Adrian’s POV

Chapter 411

“I think Rachel was improvising, not following smaster plan.”

Everyone turned as | walked in with Emma half-asleep against my shoulder. | passed her to Audrey’s waiting

arms.

*Rachel couldn't have predicted Blake would risk his life for our daughter,” | said. “Her original plan was probably

just to kidnap Emma - hurting our child while damaging Audrey’s standing with Blake. When Blake showed up

unexpectedly, her people had to adapt.”

| turned to the doctors. ‘Is Blake awake yet?”

“Not yet,” the younger one replied. “He’s out of danger but needs rest. Lost too much blood and struggled while

unconscious. His body’s recovering.”

The doctor hesitated, then added, “But | noticed something interesting about his legs - they're not beyond

treatment as previously thought.”

Audrey spun around, eyes suddenly bright. “Are you saying he could walk again?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “His condition is complex, and treatment would be challenging. I'd need to consult with

Harrison Clarke first.”

“Of course, his determination is crucial,” he added. “If he truly wants to walk and puts in the work, it’s just a

matter of time.”

“That's fantastic!” Astrid exclaimed, grabbing Audrey's hands.

| watched Audrey's face transform at the news

the light in her eyes, the color in her cheeks. A reaction I'd never seen before.

“Blake's recovery seems quite important to you all,” | said coldly.

Astrid looked confused. “Not to us

to Audrey! She - ”

Astrid. Audrey cut her off sharply. “Drop it.”

The room seemed to freeze as Audrey turned to me. “I've explained this before. I'm glad Blake might walk again

because his disability was my fault. He got hurt savingon Long Island.”

Her voice was ice. “It’s guilt, nothing more.”

| laughed. “Right. Everyone knows his legs were damaged saving Rachel from a car accident.”

That look in her eyes when she heard Blake might walk again - I've never seen it before.

She promisedbefore we cto New York.

Why can’t she just stay away from him?

Does he really matter more to her than the people who saved her life?

The tension in the room was suffocating. No one spoke.

Audrey's POV

| would've explained everything to Adrian before. Carefully broken down why | cared about Blake's recovery,

assured him it was just guilt.

But after how he treated Astrid when Emma disappeared? After hearing him lash out at my best friend? I just

don’t have the energy anymore.

Yes, he spoke from fear. | get that panic makes people cruel. But those unfiltered words showed his true

thoughts.

He’s my sister's husband. He saved my life. | can’t hold grudges over small things.

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Chapter 411

But right now, | have zero interest in explaining myself again.

Ethan, can you showthe garden?” Emma’s small voice broke the silence. ‘I can’t breathe in here!”

She slipped from my arms and walked to Ethan, who smiled and offered his hand. “Sure! I've never been to

Felix’s place either - I'm curious too.”

*Felix, mind if | take Emma to see the garden?” Ethan asked.

Felix, visibly relieved by the distraction, nodded eagerly. “Go ahead! Our garden’s beautiful. Just don’t damage

my grandfather's flowers he’s pretty serious about them.”

“Don’t worry, Emma promised sweetly. “We'll just look.”

As Ethan reached for Emma, Adrian's face darkened. “Who said you could take my daughter anywhere?”

His cold tone made everyone freeze.

Astrid is Audrey's friend. You're Audrey's friend too,” he continued. “Her last friend lost my daughter in a hotel

garden. Planning a repeat?”

He scooped Emma into his arms. “I'll handle my own daughter. We don’t need your help.”

“Adrian,” Felix tried, “this is Thompson property. Our gardens are secure

Emma would be completely safe.”

Chapter 412

Audrey's POV

In the living room, everyone's expression had turned grim.

“Audrey,” James said, ‘Aren't you going after Adrian? He’s got the wrong idea about all of us.”

| shook my head. “No point. He needs to cool off first.”

| get why he freaked out about Emma’s kidnapping. But she’s safe now. Why is he still acting like this?

“Mrs. Knox.”

| turned to see one of the doctors, looking nervous.

“Got a minute?” he asked, glancing in the direction Adrian had gone. “Mr. Parker's awake. He's asking for you.”

The doctor lowered his voice. “After what | just heard from Mr. Knox, | wasn't sure if... you'd be able to see him?”

‘Of course | am,’ | said firmly. “Blake saved my daughter. I'd be heartless not to see him.”

Relief washed over his face as he leddown the hallway.

| stepped into the room. Blake was propped up in bed, skin ghostly against the white sheets, his right arm

heavily bandaged. He was watching something on a tablet - Rachel's interview outside their wedding venue.

He looked up, face brightening. “You came.”

| moved closer. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” he said with a weak smile. “Just ssurface wounds, nothing deep.”

| sat down, studying his face. What a ridiculous lie. I'd watched the doctors treat him. The gash in his arm went

clear to the bone wounds I'd ever seen. Yet here he was, downplaying everything.

“Blake. My fingers twisted in my lap. “Thank you for what you did for Emma today.”

one of the most horrific

He started to shake his head. “You don’t -

“I know exactly how bad your injuries are, so don’t pretend otherwise, | cut him off. “And | know about your legs

too that they were damaged because ofon Long Island.”

He stiffened. “Who told you that?”

‘Does it matter if it was Michael or Jett? | leaned forward. “Blake, | need you to stop doing these things for me.”

‘Audrey —

“There's nothing between us anymore. | don’t want to owe you anything.” | forced myself to keep going. “You

and | live in different worlds now. We can’t keep getting tangled in each other's lives.”

He swallowed hard. “Everything I've done, | owed you. You don’t need to feel grateful.”

“I hurt you so much before. | just wanted to make it right somehow. Never meant to burden you.”

Chapter 412

‘Blake, | interrupted. “You just saved my daughter, so maybe this isn’t the tfor this.”

| took a deep breath. “But you know about the history between your parents and my adoptive parents. William

toldeverything about the feud between the New York and Australian Parkers.”

He nodded slowly.

“I don’t want any connection with you anymore. I'm not Audrey Sinclair now.” My voice grew firmer. And | don’t

want my adoptive parents to get the wrong

idea about me.”

“The doctors say your condition isn’t permanent. You could walk again with therapy.”

“You've saved Emma andtwice now. So I'll stay in New York until you've recovered from these wounds and

can leave that wheelchair. | met his gaze directly. | hope you'll commit to recovery so Emma and | can go back to

Sydney sooner.”

His face fell. I'll do my best.”

| stood to leave, my emotions a tangled mess. Blake looked utterly defeated, his shoulders slumped. This wasn't

the satisfaction | once imagined feeling seeing Blake Parker brought low.

| walked toward the door. I'd almost reached it when his voice stopped me.

“Audrey...

| paused but didn’t turn.

“I'm sorry,” he said roughly.

My chest tightened. “You have nothing to apologize for. But | hope you won't do this again,” | added, “No more

playing hero for me.”

| just worry about you,” he insisted.

“I don’t need your worry,” | shot back. “When | had nothing, when your family treatedlike dirt, you never

once protected me.”

| shook my head. “It’s too late, Blake. If you'd shown this concern when | was still Audrey Sinclair, maybe things

would've been different.”

| stepped through the doorway and closed it firmly behind me, leaning against it for a moment.

Blake's POV

| stared at the closed door, her final words echoing in my head.

Too late.

Those two words summed up everything with Audrey. I'd realized my feelings too late. I'd discovered Laurel's lies

too late. I'd learned how to be decent too late.

Always too late.

| picked up the tablet again, mechanically scrolling through news about the kidnapping.

| was examining a blurry security image when the door creaked open. | looked up, half-hoping Audrey had

returned.

Instead, a small head peeked around the edge.

“Uncle Blake? Can Emma cin?” ca whispered voice.

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Chapter 412

| couldn’t help smiling. “Sure.”

Emma tiptoed in, carefully balancing a small plate as she approached my bed.

*Emma brought you apples,’ she announced, presenting the plate with neatly arranged slices. ‘Uncle, Emma

made this for you!”

| took the plate, touched. “Thank you.”

She beamed, watching as | took a bite.

“It’s very sweet,” | told her.

Her face lit up. “Uncle likes it! This is Emma’s first tmaking fruit plate. You're very lucky!”

She climbed onto the chair Audrey had left, her little legs swinging. “Auntie Astrid was worried aboutusing

knife, so she gavea really dull one. | had to push so hard!”

| chuckled, taking another bite. “It’s perfect.”

“It is sweet, right?” She helped herself to a piece. “Handsuncle, if you like it, Emma can cut more for you

later, okay?”

| glanced toward the door. “Does your dad know you're here?”

“Nope!” she answered cheerfully. “Daddy is fighting with Mommy and Auntie Astrid outside. He's making phone

calls and being angry.”

She leaned closer. “I sneaked back when he wasn’t looking! | saw Auntie Astrid cutting fruit for the doctors, so |

decided to make sfor you too!”

“Uncle Blake,” she said suddenly, her expression serious. “I'm sorry | didn’t like you before.”

| raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“When you savedtoday,” she continued earnestly, “you were so brave! You're the coolest, handsomest man

ever - even better than Daddy!”

*Really?” | couldn’t help but smile.

“Really!” She nodded hard. “Daddy is scary when he’s mad...”

Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Emma was so scared when he yelled at Auntie Astrid.”

Before | could respond, raised voices filtered through the door.

*Emma? Where are you?” Adrian’s voice, sharp with tension.

“Audrey, where has Emma gone now?” His volincreased. “Is this how you mother her? Letting her disappear

twice in one day?”

| quickly put a finger to my lips, and Emma nodded, eyes wide.

“Adrian,” cAudrey's voice, level but edged. “This is Thompson mansion. Emma can’t possibly disappear

here. Find her properly before jumping to conclusions.”

“Besides,” she continued, “you wereChapter 413

Audrey's POV

“If it weren't for you, Emma would never have been kidnapped!” Adrian's bloodshot eyes locked onto mine, his

voice sharp enough to cut glass.

| stood frozen, struggling to process this sudden attack. This wasn’t the calculated, controlled Adrian | knew. This

was someone else entirely.

‘Four years within Sydney and nothing like this ever happened to her,” he continued, hands trembling with

barely contained rage. ‘We follow you to New York, and suddenly she’s getting grabbed by kidnappers?”

| opened my mouth, but he bulldozed right over me.

‘Emma nearly died today, but all you care about is Blake Parker and his legs! You don’t give a damn about her!”

The accusation hit like a physical blow.

‘I thought you and Evelyn shared blood, so you'd treat Emma like your own.” His voice dropped dangerously low.

| was wrong. You never knew Evelyn, so how could you possibly care about her daughter?”

He shook his head, disgust evident. “You've letdown, Audrey. Completely.”

| stood there, stunned speechless. This was how Adrian truly saw me?

He thinks | care more about Blake than Emma? Blake used his own body as a shield. He took every knife meant

for her. He kept her so safe that not one drop of blood touched her.

If Blake had died saving Emma, could we ever repay that debt? Would the Parkers let us live in peace?

| thought Adrian understood me. | thought he knew how much | care about Emma. But when crisis hit, his first

move was to blme

the non-biological mother.

The ache wasn’t anger. It was disappointment, cold and deep.

Suddenly, Blake's door creaked open. Emma appeared in the doorway, guilt written all over her little face.

‘Daddy... I'm right here,” she said quietly. “I didn’t disappear...”

She stepped forward, nervous. “I just wanted to check if Uncle Blake was getting better...”

Her eyes welled up. “I'm sorry for making you worry...”

Adrian stared at her, shocked, then turned towith ice in his eyes.

“Did you stash her in Blake's room?” he demanded.

“Are you kidding me?” | frowned in disbelief. “If | knew where she was, would | have stood here letting you blame

| walked over and scooped Emma up. Through the open door, | caught Blake watching us. Our eyes met briefly

before | shut the door with a firm push.

Just knowing Blake heard everything made my chest tighten - like my privacy had been invaded, like | was naked

in front of him.

“Mommy... Emma whispered against my neck. “Did | get you in trouble?”

She sniffled. “I asked Daddy if | could see Uncle Blake, but he said no...”

| just sneaked in when he wasn’t looking,” she continued. “Uncle Blake got hurt protecting me. | was worried...”

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Chapter 413

| rubbed her back gently. “It’s okay, sweetie. Nobody's mad at you.”

| looked up at Adrian. “You scared her.”

Adrian stepped forward, reaching for Emma. “Chere.”

Emma instantly tightened her grip on me, burying her face deeper into my neck. When Adrian reached for her

again, she clung even harder.

His brow furrowed. “Emma.”

“No! Daddy's scary,” she whispered. ‘Il want Mommy.”

“Save me, Mommy,” she pleaded against my shoulder.

Adrian's face darkened. Stop being difficult, Emma. Chere now.”

‘l already gave my blood to your precious Uncle Blake,” he added coldly. “We've paid our debt. He saved you, |

saved him. We're even. No need to keep checking on him.”

| frowned at his tone. “You just scared her half to death. Give her tto calm down.”

| met his gaze head-on. “Lethandle this. | won't lose her again.”

With an edge to my voice, | added, “She’s perfectly safe inside the Thompson mansion.”

Adrian stared at Emma’s defiant little form. After a long moment, he sighed and lowered his hand.

“Hartford's back from overseas. He needs to see me,” he said flatly. I'll go meet him.”

His eyes bore into mine. “Try not to lose our daughter while I'm gone.”

With that, he turned and walked away, footsteps echoing down the hall.

As soon as he disappeared, Astrid emerged from a nearby room, eyebrows raised.

“What's his problem?” she muttered, watching his retreat as | patted Emma’s back. “I never noticed he was this

fierce before.”

It's like he swallowed a bomb today,” she added. “Yelling at everyone for no reason.”

‘I get him snapping at us, but his own kid? Seriously?”

| sighed. “He probably just cares too much.”

“That's no excuse,” Astrid argued. “Emma’s safe now. Why keep being a jerk to her? It’s not her fault.”

Because he lost Evelyn, and when Emma was kidnapped, he feared losing her too. He lost his mind.

Astrid reached out and playfully pinched Emma's cheek. “Don’t worry, kiddo. Your mom and | are here. Nobody's

gonna mess with you.”

Emma's lips quirked up. “I know. | have Mommy, Astrid, Ethan, and Uncle Blake protecting me.”

Her smile grew braver. “I'm not scared of anything!”

She looked up at me, voice dropping to a whisper. “Mommy, does Uncle Blake protectbecause he likes you?”

1 froze, completely caught off guard.

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Chapter 413

Astrid laughed. “You're how old? Do you even know what liking someone’ means?”

“I do!” Emma nodded seriously. “People online said Uncle Blake's way of looking at Mommy means he likes her.”

She pulled my phone from my pocket and showed us social media posts analyzing Blake's ‘emotional gaze’

toward me.

If anyone else had brought this up, | might've been annoyed. But from Emma, it was just endearing.

Maybe it was our blood connection. Adrian claimed I couldn’t love Emma like her biological mother, but only |

knew how important she truly was to me,

Astrid took my phone and tucked it away. “You're too young for all this gossip.”

She took Emma from my arms. “Felix and the others need to talk with Blake about Rachel. You should join them,

Audrey.”

“After all,” she added quietly, “Rachel Hayes seems to be behind Emma’s kidnapping...”

| nodded. “Thanks for watching her.”

‘Just don’t blme for losing her once, like Adrian did,” Astrid replied with a small smile.

She turned to Emma with a bright smile. “Let’s go see the flowers! Thompson's got a whole garden full of pretty

ones.”

“Yay!” Emma clapped. “Emma loves flowers and their smell!”

As they headed toward the garden, Felix, Ethan, and James emerged from a nearby room. Felix cover and

squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.

“Let's see what Blake has to say about Rachel Hayes,” he said.

DIVOICEbefore Deal Takes ME, LEUion.ait for Blake to respond himself.”

“If he’s fine, he'll have heard about all this and will address it soon.”

Another reporter pushed forward. “You're heading to tomorrow’s wedding venue. Are you making changes, or...

canceling?”

Rachel looked appropriately displeased. “Just svenue adjustments. I'm talking to the staff, and I'd

appreciate no speculation until things are finalized.”

She wiped away what had to be fake tears. “No more questions. Please leave.”

DivorceBefore Death Takes Me, CEO