Chapter 65
Audrey's POV
Blake's words were heavy with implications. | opened my mouth to respond, but the words died in my throat as
memories of our earlier encounter flooded
back.
“No, I...” The rest of my sentence dissolved into silence as Blake smoothly exited the car. Before | could process
what was happening, he'd circled around to my side, opening the door with practiced elegance.
The night air hit my face, a sharp contrast to the warmth of the car's interior. But before | could step out, strong
arms slipped beneath my knees and behind my back, liftingwith effortless grace.
A startled gasp escaped my lips as | instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck for balance. The familiar
scent of him wrapped aroundlike a forgotten memory.
A hint of satisfaction flickered across his features as we approached my building.
“Didn't you say that you'd be better off without me?” His voice carried a particular blend of arrogance and
amusement. “You've lost weight again. Too much.”
Hearing his words, | found myself sinking deeper into his embrace, my head finding that perfect spot between
his shoulder and neck that felt like it had been carved just for me.
| should explain. Should struggle. Should maintain the boundaries I'd so carefully constructed when I'd moved
out. After all, this was the man who'd already planned his engagement party to another woman. The man who'd
made it clear, tand tagain, that our marriage meant nothing.
But five years of loving him, three years of marriage, two periods of devoted care - during his blindness and later
his coma - had left their mark on my heart. | couldn't just erase that kind of muscle memory with logic alone.
Each remembered moment of care felt like another crack in my carefully constructed walls.
Focus, | reminded myself sternly. | needed to play this carefully if | wanted Snow back.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Knowing Blake's nature, if | pushed too hard about Snow’s whereabouts like | had about the divorce, I'd end up
with the sresult - nothing. I could wait him out on the divorce until his engagement to Laurel forced his
hand, but Snow was different.
He'd never liked her, always sneering when he sawholding her, suggesting | get rid of her. One wrong move,
one hint of defiance, and he might just do exactly that.
The fluorescent lights in my apartment complex flickered weakly as he carriedthrough the doorway. Despite
Astrid’s earlier attempts at tidying up, her chaotic nature was evident everywhere - books stacked at odd angles,
throw pillows arranged with more enthusiasm than skill, everything just slightly off- kilter. Her efforts had
somehow made the modest space feel even more cramped.
“Millions in monthly allowance,” Blake's lip curled as he took in the surroundings, his disdain palpable. “and this
is where you choose to live?”
Still cradled in his arms, | felt heat rise to my cheeks. “It feels like... home,” | offered weakly.
The truth caught in my throat - that every penny of his “allowance” had gone to experimental cancer treatments
and desperate attempts to save our baby. The money had disappeared faster than autumn leaves in a storm.
A dark chuckle escaped him. “Home? All | smell is poverty.”
The couch creaked slightly as he setdown, but before | could create any distance between us, his weight
presseddeeper into the cushions. His fingers found my hoodie’s collar, and suddenly breathing beca
forgotten skill.
He suddenly yanked at my hoodie’s collar, exposing more skin. His mouth descended on my neck with bruising
intensity, deliberately adding new marks alongside the existing ones. The pain madewince, but I didn’t pull
away.
When he finally lifted his head, his eyes studied the marks carefully, comparing the ones he'd just made with
those from the spa. The tension that had been radiating from him since our encounter with Ethan finally seemed
to dissipate.
A smile tugged at my lips despite everything. Who would have thought? Blake Parker - New York's most feared
CEO - could be so childishly possessive.
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Chapter 65
His eyes caught my amusement, darkening dangerously. Before | could process his reaction, his hand gripped my
jaw, tilting my face up as his mouth claimed mine with devastating thoroughness.
The temperature in the room seemed to spike as the kiss deepened. Everything else faded away - the cramped
apartment, my illness, the impending divorce - leaving only the scorching heat between us.
“I thought Mrs. Parker would have forgotten all aboutby now,” he breathed against my ear, his voice rough
with desire. “Living such an... entertaining life out here.
His hands slid lower, drawing a gasp from my lips. “But you're still just as responsive as ever.”
“Blake,” | managed between quickening breaths, “I need to ask you something.”
“What is it?” His voice held a hint of amusement. “Faster? Slower?”
Heat flooded my face, painting my cheeks a deep crimson. Even through the haze of desire, | hadn't forgotten
my mission. “Snow’s missing,” | managed between quickened breaths. “I need your help finding her.”
Blake's eyebrow arched, a dangerous glint flickering in his dark eyes. “So all this... enthusiasm,” his voice
dropped to a silken purr, “is for a cat?”
| met his gaze through half-lidded eyes, letting my lips curve into the kind of smile | knew would get under his
skin. “Yes.” My legs tightened around his waist deliberately, drawing him closer as | whispered, “I'm at your
mercy.”
After three years of marriage, | knew exactly what buttons to push, what responses would feed his need for
dominance. The sharp intake of his breath confirmed I'd hit my mark.
A predatory smile spread across his features as he examined my flushed face. “Well then,” he murmured, his
voice rough with promise, ‘I suppose | could help,”
The next moment, his mouth claimed mine with bruising intensity, stealing any response | might have made. The
small living room seemed to shrink around us as the temperature spiked, the air growing thick with tension and
unspoken desires...
Morning light filtered through thin curtains, painting patterns across my ceiling as consciousness slowly returned.
Every muscle in my body protested as | forced my eyes open, only to find Blake already dressed in an
impeccable silver-gray suit, lounging in my modest armchair with casual elegance.
“You're awake.” It wasn’t a question,
“You... stayed?’ The words slipped out before | could stop them.
His lips curved into that familiar smirk. ‘Disappointed?”
“No, just... used to waking up alone.”
| pushed myself into a sitting position, wincing slightly. “Would you like breakfast?”
“Michael already brought something.” He rolled his eyes slightly. “If | waited for you to cook, I'd starve to death.”
Twenty minutes later, freshly showered and changed, | sat across from him at my small table, devouring the
gourmet breakfast his assistant had arranged, while Blake stared at me. “You never ate like this before.”
| swallowed a mouthful of scrambled eggs. “That was all an act. Don’t need to pretend anymore.”
His expression shifted subtly, then he spoke again Finish up. You're coming with me.”
Confused, | asked, “Where?”
“Dont you remember what you begged for last night?”
“Snow! | let the right amount of hope color my voice, careful not to reveal that | already suspected where she
was. “Did you find her?”
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Chapter 65
He leaned back in his chair, regardingwith calculated intensity.
‘First, | have squestions for you.”
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