NovelEnglishChapter 83
Audrey POV
The moment | agreed to stay, Laurel's transformation was instantaneost. The fears that had been threatening to
fall seinatata des, replaced by a triumphant gleam that she didn’t even try to hide. With practiced grace, she
melted into Bilaketaine, bee bags fo possessive intimacy.
Blake darling, how wonderful! 1 knew you'd help convince Miss Sinclair to stay!
She turned that perfectly calculated smile my way. “Miss Sinclair, thank you for agreeing to keepcompany
| moved past them without acknowledgment, heading straight for the hospital room.
Blake's frown was almost audible as he disentangled himself from Laurel's clinging embrace. Laurel, let's go in
too.”
As soon as Blake helped Laurel back to her bed with practiced care, she spoke up, ‘Blake darling, her voice
quavered with measured distress, and one hand” rose to touch her face. “I was crying... does my makeup look
terrible? Am | a mess?”
| couldn’t help but notice her perfectly intact makeup in the room’s harsh fluorescent lighting. Only her eyes
showed the slightest hint of redness - the kind that cfrom careful rubbing rather than genuine tears.
What a performance, | thought with grim amusement.
Blake's fingers found his temples - a gesture showing his resignation. “We'll get you cleaned up.”
When he turned to me, his expression had already shifted into that particular blend of authority and annoyance.
“Get swarm water for Laurel.
The casual command hit something raw inside me. After all these things, he still thought | was that swoman
who would leap to fulfill his every whim.
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A cold smile touched my lips as | met his gaze. “Mr. Parker, letbe clear. | agreed to stay and chat with your
precious Miss Rose. | didn’t agree to be her
servant.
“It's not about being a servant,” he snapped, “it’s just a simple favor.”
Looking at him - this man who had once been my whole world - | couldn’t help but marvel at how much had
changed. How many nights had | waited up, warm towel ready, fresh coffee brewing, desperate to prove my
worth through these little services? The memory of my own devotion left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“Well, then,” | leaned back in my chair. “I refuse.”
Something shifted in Blake's expression when | refused - a flicker of emotion | couldn’t quite name. He stared at
“Oh, it’s okay if Miss Sinclair doesn’t want to help.” Laurel's voice cut through the tension. She bit her lip, the
perfect picture of delicate concern. “I wouldn't want just anyone handling my water, they might get the
temperature wrong...”
Then she turned to Blake, her expression softening into something intimate and trusting. “Blake darling, would
you mind getting it for me? You've taken care ofso many times, you know exactly how I like it. | trust you
completely!”
Blake nodded. ‘Of course.”
He moved toward the door but paused beside my chair. His voice dropped low. “Stay here, and don’t make
things difficult for Laurel.
I met his eyes, letting my smile match his coldness. “You should be saying that to your Miss Rose.”
His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Laurel's the patient here. How could she possibly make things difficult for you?”
“Oh, Blake, Laurel's voice was pure sugar and light as she smiled up at Blake. “Don’t fuss so. Miss Sinclair and |
will be fine together.”
1/3
Chapter 83
She waved him away with elegant fingers. “New hurry my face fente absolutely ¢rendnik-
Blake hesitated, hit gare moving between us before finally settling on me, Something Birtered behind his eyes.
Bei Karel rand fell,
one, the floor clicking shut behind him.
The change in Laurel wax instant find chilling. The soft, vulnerable patient vanished, replaced by something
sharp and caféulating far caile stre predatory as she faced me.
Satisfied? Tie believes everything now.” Her voice had lost all trace of its earlier fragility.
All this trouble just to getalone?’ | shifted in my chair, studying her with mild curiosity. The effort she'd put
into this little performance was almost impressive. Almost.
Her lips tightened. The recording. When are you deleting it?”
Of course. Everything clicked into place. The tears, the that masterful manipulation of Blake all for this. | nearly
laughed at the predictability of
itall.
“Eventually.” | met her gaze steadily. “But not today.”
Something dangerous flashed in her eyes, but | pressed on before she could speak. “Though if you're that
worried about your precious Blake darling finding out... you could always use those persuasive talents of yours.
Get him to finalize our divorce.”
Let them have their fairy tale ending. | was done trying to protect Blake from his own willful blindness. If he
wanted to believe her performance, that was his choice.
Laurel's POV
Watching Audrey's casual dismissal of everything | held dear made my blood run cold. One month. I'd been back
for an entire month, and here | was, clutching hospital sheets like skind of invalid while she sat there
wearing that infuriating mask of indifference.
Those divorce papers. They'd becmy own personal nightmare. Blake brushed off every hint | dropped with
that spatronizing smile. “She’ll caround,” he'd say, like he was talking about a sulking child rather than
his wife. “This isn’t what she really wants.” Each the said those words, another piece of my carefully
constructed world crumbled.
And now here she was, tauntingabout ‘persuading” Blake. As if | hadn't tried everything. As if | hadn't spent
weeks enduring his gentle deflections, hearing him introduceas his sister at every turn. No matter what | did,
he maintained that careful, maddening distance.
I hadn't even kissed him, let alone other intimate interactions!
The fury building in my chest threatened to choke me. She was doing this deliberately - she had to be. Throwing
my failures in my face, mocking my inability to secure what should have been mine years ago.
“Listen carefully,” | managed to keep my voice steady despite the rage coursing through me. “Blake was
planning our future long before | cback. He can’t wait to make things official.”
watched for any crack in her composure, any sign that my words had found their mark. But that serene smile
never wavered. “That's great then. I'm ready to end this too.”
She delivered the words with the scasual indifference she might use to decline a dinner invitation. The calm
in her voice madewant to scream.
“The sooner the better.” Her calm response felt like acid on my skin. “I'm quite eager myself.”
“Quite the performance.” | couldn’t keep the bitterness from my voice. “You must be heartbroken inside.”
The slight curve of her lips sent fresh waves of fury through me. “Why would | be?”
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