Chapter 49

Audrey's POV

Tears blurred my vision under the flickering street lamp. Ethan hovered nearby, his usual confidence replaced by an awkward, earnest concern. He fumbled in his pockets, finally producing a crumpled tissue.

"Hey, please don't cry..." His voice carried a gentle uncertainty. "We’ll find Snow. I’ll help you search every block until we do."

The kindness in his tone only made the tears fall faster. I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to maintain some semblance of composure, but the weight of the day was too much to bear.

"Audrey," Ethan said softly. Sensing my distress, he stepped closer, offering a supportive embrace. His college varsity jacket was heavy and warm against my cheek. It wasn't the touch I was used to, but it was the first time in a long time someone had offered me comfort without expecting something in return.

"It’s past midnight," he whispered with a nervous laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "If you keep this up, the neighbors might think I’m kidnapping you."

The absurdity of the moment—a young student trying to comfort a dying woman over a lost cat—almost brought a smile to my lips. Almost.

"Listen," he continued, "I’ve heard that cats have incredible homing instincts. Maybe she’s trying to find her way back to somewhere familiar... somewhere you used to live."

I pulled back slightly, my voice a mere whisper. "Do you really think so?"

Before Ethan could answer, the street was suddenly flooded with the blinding glare of high-beams. A sleek, black sedan pulled up to the curb with a predatory purr. Blake Parker emerged from the car, the glowing tip of a cigar illuminating his sharp, handsome features.

"Well, well," he said, his voice carrying a dangerous, rhythmic edge. "And here I thought you were insisting at the clinic that there was nothing between you two."

"Blake," I said, my voice trembling as I tried to step away from Ethan. But Ethan, sensing the hostility, instinctively kept a hand on my shoulder, drawing me closer to his side.

"Earlier today, there was nothing," Ethan said, his voice ringing with a defiance that made my blood run cold. "But after seeing how you treat her? Things change. You got a problem with that?"

Blake’s brow furrowed, his gaze shifting to me. I was caught in a paralyzing dilemma. Ethan was lying to protect my dignity, but if I let this lie stand, Blake’s retaliation could ruin the boy's future.

"Silence is consent, isn't it, Mr. Parker?" Ethan’s mocking tone cut through the air. "Audrey’s made her choice. Why don't you head back to your actress?"

Blake let out a cold, humorless laugh. "So you’ve found a spokesperson, Audrey?" He began to walk toward us, each step measured and heavy.

"Blake, stop," I finally found my voice, stepping in front of Ethan to shield him. "This is between us. Don’t drag him into our mess."

Blake's POV

As I advanced, the sight of that boy’s varsity jacket draped over Audrey’s shoulders triggered something dark and primal in my chest.

In an instant, memories of us flooded back—moments in our private garden where I’d draped my suit jacket over her shivering shoulders, the way she would lean into my warmth with a trust that I had once taken for granted. Those were days when I’d almost forgotten the complexities of our arrangement, when I’d nearly lost myself in the quiet peace of our marriage.

Now, she stood wrapped in another man's protection. Someone younger. Someone who looked at her with an idealism I had long since lost.

I narrowed my eyes. This boy was provoking me, clearly trying to stand up for her. But seeing the vulnerability in Audrey’s eyes—a vulnerability that even James Collins hadn't been able to evoke—sent a jolt of uncertainty through me.

"Audrey Sinclair," I said, my voice dropping to a low, commanding frequency.

"Leave her out of this," Ethan replied instantly, stepping in front of her. "Back off."

Audrey's POV

Ethan’s grip was firm as he tried to pull me away from the brewing confrontation. My heart raced, the memory of the chaos at the hospital still fresh in my mind.

"Let me go, Ethan," I whispered, twisting in his hold. But his athletic frame was an immovable barrier.

"I've got this," he muttered, his jaw set with determination.

A dark chuckle cut through the tension. Blake stood watching us, hands casually tucked into his pockets, radiating a lethal calm.

"How touching," Blake said, his voice dripping with amusement. "Playing the hero for a woman who doesn't even tell you her real name? How desperately predictable."

He stepped closer, his shadow falling over us both. "Stop the theatrics, Audrey. You know very well that if I wanted to handle this situation, I wouldn't need to lift a finger."