Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 427

Audrey's POV

It hitsuddenly - Henry Hartford didn’t actually know me. He knew my sister. She had saved his life. When |

was still Audrey Sinclair, | hadn't known Henry at all. | hadn't even realized Astrid had feelings for him all this

time.

“I and Astrid...” | hesitated, still shaken from seeing her with Ryan Quinn. Even though we haven't known each

other that long-

“Five years isn’t short, Henry cut in, taking a sip-of his wine.

| froze. "You...

Audrey Sinclair, Henry said simply.

“I heard Blake had an ex-wife, but never saw what you looked like,” he continued matter-of-factly. “Your wedding

wasn't exactly a society event.”

“Everyone said Blake couldn't stand you and refused to acknowledge your marriage. So naturally, | wasn't

curious enough to look into it.”

“But | never imagined...” His eyes narrowed slightly. “That you were Evelyn's sister.”

“Even more coincidental - during that shipwreck, your sister saved me. And you saved Blake.”

| pressed my lips together as he set his empty glass down.

| shouldn't be surprised Henry knows who | am. His influence in New York rivals Blake's. With his resources and

connections to Blake, Adrian, and the Australian Parkers, uncovering my identity would be simple.

“Quite the coincidence,” | agreed. “But also cruel irony.”

“My sister and | are identical,” | said quietly. “If you'd been even slightly curious about the woman who married

Blake...”

| closed my eyes, feeling something tighten in my chest. “I might have known | had a sister sooner. Might have

met her before she died.”

“Indeed,” Henry agreed, his eyes darkening. “When Evelyn pulledfrom the water, we searched for Blake

together. Never found him.”

“My sister...” | raised my eyebrows. ‘Did she know Blake back then?”

‘Not really just saw him from a distance, Henry explained. “After she rescued me, she toldshe'd cto New

York looking for someone. | think it was Blake.”

‘But before she could meet him, the shipwreck happened.”

| blinked, trying to make sense of it all,

Why was my sister on that cruise? After the Parker family split, the Australian branch deliberately avoided New

York. She'd just graduated and was deciding whether to take over the family business. She should've been

learning in Australia.

Henry says she cfor Blake, but she was in love with Adrian then. He knew she was on that cruise. So why

Blake? Was she trying to end the family feud? Or something else entirely?

‘I don’t know her reasons, Henry said, interrupting my thoughts. “But Adrian probably does.”

‘lI guess only he knows now,” | agreed.

Henry hesitated before asking, “Are you planning to stay married to Adrian?”

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Chapter 427

His question caughtoff guard. “No immediate plans for divorce,’ | said with a slight smile.

If Adrian finds someone he truly loves, I'll step aside. But Emma's just a child. After four years without a mother,

forcing her to choose between parents would be

cruel.

‘What about you and Blake?” Henry asked, eyebrow raised.

“That's over,’ | said firmly. | appreciate what Blake's done since | woke up.”

He injured his legs helping me, so I'll help with his treatment.”

‘He got hurt protecting Emma, so I'll stay in New York until he recovers.”

“He helped with my birth parents, so I'm helping him today.”

| stared ahead, my voice resolute. “That's all there is. | won't make the smistake twice.”

Blake's POV

Jett helpedbalance on my crutch as | tried to make my way toward them. Then | heard Audrey’s cold,

definitive voice and stopped.

| closed my eyes, a bitter smile forming. “Jett.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Let's sit over there instead.”

No point setting myself up for more rejection.

Jett sighed quietly as he helpedto a corner. We'd barely sat down when | heard a contemptuous voice from

Audrey's direction: “I can’t believe it’s really

you."

| looked over, raising an eyebrow.

| can’t believe it's really you,” Rachel said, looking down at Audrey like she was something unpleasant on her

shoe.

“Thalia said you were here, but | didn’t quite believe it,” she continued, scanning Audrey's face critically. “Your

husband and daughter left, but you stayed. Something you can’t let go of?”

Her lips curled into a smile as she glanced at Henry. “Blake’s barely cold, and you're already cozying up to Mr.

Hartford?”

Audrey just stared back, her expression a mix of cold disdain and mockery.

‘Mrs. Knox, Rachel went on, her voice growing sharper, ‘I thought you were something, running your own

business so young. Turns out you're just another gold-digger.”

Her hands balled into fists. “That brand of yours - Q-elegant, right? Did you sleep your way to success with that

too?”

‘Are you done?” Audrey asked calmly, with a slight smile.

Henry frowned. “Miss Hayes or should | call you Mrs. Parker now?’ He checked his watch. “Ten minutes until the

ceremony. Shouldn't you be getting ready?’

Rachel’s brow furrowed. “Are you protecting her? Trying to get rid of me?’

Her voice rose. “You two seem awfully close. You know she’s married with a kid, right? Or is that your thing?

Planning a little affair?”

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Chapter 427

Her deliberately loud voice drew attention from around the venue. | sat quietly, sipping my tea.

Rachel has no idea who she’s dealing with. She’s only met Henry a few times. She doesn’t understand his core

trait is complete indifference to anyone he doesn’t care about. He won't get angry over strangers’ words. She's

picked the wrong battle.

Audrey's POV

Henry poured wine into a glass and handed it to me. “Miss Hayes, Evelyn and | have known each other for years.

We're just friends talking. Why so suspicious?”

He gestured around. “Everyone here can see we're doing nothing wrong.”

He pointed to the security cameras overhead. “It’s all on camera. We're both out in the open.”

His tone shifted as he looked at Rachel. “But you were just sneaking around backstage with sguy, away

from people and cameras. If what I'm doing is an affair, what do you call that?”

Rachel’s face went pale.

Whispers spread through the crowd:

“Who wants to be a widow? She's just after his money.”

‘Claiming his inheritance while meeting men on the side? Talk about efficient.”

“The wedding hasn’t even happened yet!”

“Maybe she’s already lined up tonight's replacement groom!”

Watching Rachel's face cycle between red and white, | frowned slightly. “Miss Hayes, your ceremony starts in five

minutes. Sure you want to keep arguing?”

Rachel shota venomous look. “Thanks for the reminder. | should go.”

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