Chapter 40

**Audrey's POV**

One month ago. That was when Blake had started planning his engagement ceremony wth Laurel Rose. One month.

What had I been doing back then? *Our baby.* I remembered the desperate hope as I consulted doctor after doctor, trying to find a way to protect our child despite my failing body. Now the memory just felt like a cruel joke. While I had been fighting to save the last piece of our relationship growing inside me, he had been preparing a grand proposal to another woman.

"God, Audrey, I'm just glad you're done with all that mess," Astrid's voice cut through my dark thoughts. Her hand found mine, squeezing tight."Can you imagine how much worse this would hurt if you weren't?"

I turned to her with a practiced smile. "Right."

*Done with all that mess.* The words tasted bitter in my mouth. After being hurt so many times, afterhaving my hopes shattered again and again, perhaps I had finally grown numb. Was that the same as being done?

"Can we head back?" I said softly, staring out at the darkness beyond the car window.

Astrid nodded quickly, starting the engine. "Right, let's not waste another second talking about those two jerks." She forced some cheer into her voice.

"Besides,bet Snow's going crazy waiting for you!"

The apartment felt colder than usual as Astrid walked me to the door.She

lingered,pretending to play with Snow while secretly watching me from the corner of her eye.

"Look who's getting chunky," she cooed, dangling a toy just out of Snow's reach. Her eyes kept darting to my face, checking my expression.

I maintained my composure, moving around the living room with deliberate normalcy. Only when I heard the door click shut behind her did I let the mask slip.

The pain hit immediately, doubling me over. I collapsed onto the sofa;clutching my stomach as waves of agony ripped through me. The spicy food I'd forced down at the restaurant to maintain my façade was taking its revenge.

Snow sensed my distress, pressing her warm body against mine. Her soft fur tickled my face as she tried to burrow closer, offering what comfort she could.

With trembling fingers, I found my phone. Muscle memory took over as I hit the emergency contact - a number I'd called so many times over the past three years.

"Yeah?"

The familiar edge in Blake's tone made my chest tighten. "Audrey." A beat."What is it?"

I tried to speak, but the pain stole my voice. The background noise from his end filled the silence - laughter, music, glasses clinking from the restaurant we'd left'earlier.

"Seriously?" His impatience crackled through the line. "You couldn't say whatever this is to my face earlier, but now you're calling?"

As I could gather my strength to respond, "Blake, I..."

Thalia's voice cut through: "Hey, whose turn? Oh my god, Laurel's up next!

"Please..." Laurel's voice sounded. "Can I skip this? I don't want to kiss in public..."

I heard movement, then the background noise faded. Blake had stepped away from the party, his voice dropping lower with concern he couldn't quite hide: "Audrey! Just... say something, will you?"

The use of my first name, the worry in his tone - once,those would have meant everything to me. Now they just made the pain worse. I ended the call,letting the phone slip from my fingers.

The phone started ringing again, the ringtone filling the silence of my apartment. I knew it was Blake, but I just lay there on the cod floor,Snow's warmth pressed against me, letting each ring fade into the next. The world was starting to blur around the edges, darkness creeping in from the corners of my vision. Still, I didn't answer.

I don't know how long I stayed there, drifting in and out of consciousness as his calls went unanswered. Finally, the ringing stopped.

Snow suddenly wriggled free from my arms, jumping onto the coffee table.Her movement knocked over a forgotten cup of tea, sending the cold liquid splashing across my arm. The sudden shock of it pulled me back from the edge of darkness.

"Thank you, Snow," I whispered, finding the strength to push myself up.My hands were shaking as I reached for my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I found James Collins' name. I hesitated for a long moment,

then pressed the call.

It was answered quickly. "Audrey? What's up?"

The noisy background sound indicated that he was at some kind of party.However, at this moment, the pain in my stomach made it impossible for me to think much.

"James..." My voice came out hoarse and weak.

His tone changed instantly. "Hey, what's wrong? Talk to me - where are you?"

"My... apartment."

"Don't move an inch. I'm on my way!"

**Blake's POV**

I stared at my dark phone screen, jaw clenched as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. Lost in thought, I nearly collided with someone rushing down the restaurant stairs. Looking up, I found myself face to face with James Collins.

Watching him try to rush past. I immediately stopped him. "Where's the fire? Mr. Collins?"

He froze, recognition dawning. "Blake Parker?"

"Seriously? Is this your attitude?" I let my voice drop to a dangerous purr."Talking to the head of your partner company like this?"

He swallowed hard and shifted his stance. "Mr. Parker. My apologies for the informality. But I've got an urgent situation that needs handling."

He tried to step around me, but I deliberately shifted into his path."Urgent situation, huh? Wouldn't happen to involve Audrey Sinclair, would it?"

The moment James heard Audrey's name, I could see his eyes widen slightly.

After a moment, he curved his lips into a smile and said, "Mr. Parker,you must be joking. Audrey and I aren't that close. It's so late. Why on earth would she look for me?"

Hearing James say this, my frown eased a little. "Ture. She only has eyes for me."

Watching his face turned deathly pale, I felt an indescribable sense of triumph inside.

He forced an awkward smile, "Was there anything else, Mr. Parker?"

"No." I finally stepped aside. "But if you do happen to hear from Audrey,tell her to stop playing these games. Calling and not speaking - it's childish."

With that, I strode up the stairs.

Back in the private room, the party was in full swing. My sister and her friends continued teasing Laurel, who played her part perfectly.

"Guys, stop!" she giggled, pressing closer to me. "You're making me blush..."

I sat rigidly in my chair, half-listening to the congratulations innuendos while staring at my phone. Our chat history showed nothing new since the morning she lost our child. The woman who used to send

dozens of messages daily hadn't contacted me in over two weeks.

After long consideration, I typed two words: "Real mature."

Once, any message from me would have earned an immediate, enthusiastic response. Tonight, there was only silence.

On the car. Laurel's voice carried that practiced note of concern. "

Everything okay, Blake? You've been glued to youar phone all night.

Trouble at the office?"

I caught her trying to sneak a peek at my screen and quickly locked it."Just Michael.Work stuff."

She did that little poutthing she'd perfected. "Always working..."

After dropping Laurel at the Rose mansion, My driver cleared his throat:"Where to, Mr. Parker? The office or the family estate?"

"Home." The word slipped out before I could catch it.

"Sir...which one?"

I shot him a cold look. "WVhat do you think?"

"Got it... sir." He nodded slightly, heading towards the Lunar mansion.