NovelEnglishChapter 57
The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor seemed to reflect my heavy mood when my phone lit up with
James’s name. Was he calling to apologize for his tone earlier? The thought only mademore irritated.
Before | could silence it, Ethan's hand appeared from nowhere, deftly plucking the phone from my grasp. His
eyes sparkled with mischief. “Allow me.”
James's voice cthrough immediately, polished and apologetic: “Audrey, sorry for being too harsh earlier. The
lack of sleep, the workload today-"
“Hello, sir!” Ethan's cheerful interruption echoed slightly as we squeezed into the crowded elevator. He
maneuvered us toward the back, using his height to create a small pocket of space around- a gesture so
natural it seemed unconscious.
His voice took on an almost musical quality. “I'm Audrey’s brother. She's looking for her cat, unavailable now. Are
there any messages you want to leave?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
The stunned silence on the other end was almost audible. “Brother? What brother?”
“Listen up, sir.” Ethan gave a smile. “Quick question - what exactly makes you think you can dictate what my
sister does with her own pet? Last t| checked, Audrey's pretty capable of making her own decisions.”
He ended the call with a flourish, handing my phone back. “Word of advice? That guy’s got ‘future control freak’
written all over him. Next thing you know, he'll be installing a whiteboard in your living room for daily
relationship lectures.”
A laugh bubbled up before I could stop it. The moment felt lighter, freer.
Then the elevator doors slid open, and two faces I'd been desperately hoping to avoid stood waiting in the lobby.
Laurel Rose and Blake Parker.
“Miss Sinclair.” The moment she spotted me, she immediately let out a cold smile.
“Blake was at your place this morning looking for you, she called out, her voice carrying just enough to draw
attention without seeming to try. “Hiding at Mayo Clinic?
A delicate pause. Her manicured nail tapped thoughtfully against her chin. “It’s almost brilliant. Who'd think to
look for you in New York’s most prestigious medical facility?” Another pause, this one heavy with implication.
“And even if they did - well, what better excuse for missing a divorce appointment than a medical emergency?”
| met her gaze steadily, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. “Careful, Miss Rose. Your implication is
showing.”
“Everyone knows Mayo Clinic only takes serious cases.” Her smile turned razor-sharp.
“Indeed.” | allowed myself a small, cold smile. ‘So what's your role here, Miss Rose? Terminal patient? Rare
disease sufferer?”
‘Or is this just another audition?”
The color vanished from her face so quickly. She stumbled back a step, one trembling hand reaching for Blake's
arm with unerring accuracy despite her apparent distress.
“Enough. Blake finally spoke up as he moved to shield her.
‘Laurel needs treatment. You have no right to question her presence here.”
The gesture was so familiar it almost hurt - how many times had he protectedlike that? A hint of bitterness
surged in my heart, and | slightly shook my head to get rid of it.
| said with a resigned smile, ‘Well, you're right. May | leave now?”
“No,” Blake answered, his eyes narrowing. | almost thought you were actually serious about the divorce this
time.” Sarcasm was evident in his voice. “If you didn’t want the divorce, why create such an unsightly scene?”
He continued, “It's not just the Parker family now - even outsiders know about our divorce proceedings. Even
Grandfather has agreed to it. So how do you plan to wrap this up?”
1/2
Chapter 57
As | said, with divorce,” | answered my own question, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands.
Chapter Comments
wl
POST COMMENT NOW
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
