Chapter 60

**Audrey's POV**

Honestly, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. One moment Laurel Rose had been standing there, cornered by irrefutable video evidence of her lies.The next, she'd dropped to her knees with the kind of dramatic flairthat would have made Broadway directors weep with envy.

"I'm sorry!" The words burst from her like a perfectly rehearsed soliloquy.

"I apologize for my arrogant behavior at the gate," she continued, words filled with calibrated remorse. "And for falsely accusing you of lying,nearly costing you your job!" Her voice cracked at exactly the right moment,tears gathering in her eyes with professional timing.

The security guard shifted uncomfortably, clearly as taken aback by this performance as the rest of us. Laurel seized the moment, pressing on with increasing fervor.

"I've always been known for my gentle nature. This is the first time I've ever acted this way, and look how quickly karma struck..." She pressed one hand to her chest, the picture of sincere contrition. "I sincerely apologize, and to show my remorse, my assistant will contact you with a ten thousand check. Buy yourself something nice... consider it compensation for my behavior."

Her body seemed to wilt like a delicate flower as she delivered her final line: "Once again, I am truly sorry!"

I watched the scene unfold with a mix of grudging admiration and bone-deep exhaustion. Three years of marriage to Blake Parker had taught me to recognize manipulation when I saw it, but even I had to admit-Laurel

was in a class of her own.

But the real performance was yet to come. As if on cue, Laurel's strength seemed to fail her. She slumped forward, one hand clutching her chest while the other reached weakly for Blake.

"Laurel!" Blake's voice carried genuine alarm. Together with the guard,Blake helped Laurel to her feet. She swayed dramatically, clutching his arm as if it were the only thing keeping her upright.

Blake cradled her head against his shoulder, his protective instincts fully engaged. "Charles! Call an ambulance!"

I caught the butler's instinctive glance toward William Parker, seeking approval before acting on Blake's order. The old man's dismissive wave spoke volumes about his thoughts on this latest melodrama.

As Charles stepped away to make the call, Laurel turned her face into Blake's chest, her voice dropping to a theatrical whisper. "Blake darling..."

Blake leaned down, his ear close to her lips as she whispered something I couldn't catch. Whatever she said made his expression soften instantly, his protective instincts clearly engaged by her performance. I caught fragments of words that sounded like "records" and "Europe," but the rest was lost in their private exchange.

Something cold settled in my stomach that had nothing to do with my actual cancer as I watched their intimate moment. The way she clung to him, the way he bent so attentively to catch her every word - it was a reminder of everything I'd lost, everything I'd never truly had.

Laurel's gaze suddenly snapped to me, a flash of something darker beneath her tears. "Miss Sinclair, I gave you the apology you wanted..."

Her voice carried just the right note of wounded innocence. "What more do you want from me?"

I was confused. "What do you mean, what more do I want?" I could feel my brows drawing together, hands clenching at my sides. "When you wrong someone, you apologize. Isn't that basic decency?"

"She's already ill," Blake's voice was cold. "Why must you keep targeting her?"

"Targeting her?" These words were so cruel. "You call this targeting? I just want her to take responsibility for what she's done and apologize for her mistakes..."

"Enough!" His eyes burned with fury. "Isn't this just because you're bitter about her accidentally pushing you this morning? Using this security guard incident to get your revenge?"

I opened my mouth to explain, to defend myself, but he cut me off with brutal efficiency.

"Audrey, I used to think your grace under pressure was genuine.I thought that was your true nature." His lip curled in disgust. "Now I see it was all an act! You're actually this petty!"

The words lodged in my chest like shards of ice. How perfectly Laurel had orchestrated this-turning my attempt at justice for the guard into proof of my own vindictiveness.

The sound of an ambulance siren filtered in from outside, its wail growing steadily closer.

"Blake darling," Laurel's voice quavered perfectly. "I feel so faint...Can you take me to the ambulance for oxygen?"

As they passed me, it happened so quickly I almost thought I'd imagined it. Laurel's stiletto connected with my stomach in a vicious kick, the impact sending me stumbling backward. If Felix hadn't caught me, I would have hit the floor.

"Oh... it hurts..." Laurel's performance never faltered as she clung to Blake,her face a mask of delicate suffering even as triumph flickered in her eyes.

Blake's brow furrowed. His steps growing more urgent as he carried her out, holding her even closer than before, never casting a glance towards me.

The pain bloomed sharp and immediate where she'd kicked me, but I forced myself to remain silent. What was the point of speaking up? Blake would never believe me over his precious Laurel.

"Are you alright?" Felix's concerned voice came from beside me as he helped me to the sofa. His hand moved as if to check the injury, then withdrew awkwardly.

William Parker's weathered face creased with fury. "Charles, call Dr.Bennett to check Audrey's injury."

I widened my eyes. "It's fine, William, just a bump, I..."

His eyes blazed as he continued, "I saw her kick you clearly! That woman did it deliberately! She was wearing pointed stilettos - how could a kick to your stomach not hurt?"

He shot Charles a cold glare. "Quick!"

The butler bowed, slightly and hurried from the room, his footsteps echoing against the marble floors. Within minutes, those same footsteps returned,accompanied by the measured click of heels.

Dr. Ava Bennett appeared in the doorway, wereing a pristine white coat.Her eyes swept the room with professional efficiency before landing on William. "Mr. Parker?"

"A bastard," William pointed at me, "kicked Audrey in the stomach.Examine her. Now."

I watched Dr. Bennett's expression shift subtly. Though we'd only interacted occasionally during her two years as the Parker family physician,she treated me quite well.

She turned to me, brows furrowing. "Can you make it to the guest room?"

Pride made me nod, made me push myself to my feet despite knowing better. The movement pulled at my bruised muscles, sending sparks of pain shooting through my legs. The world tilted dangerously, my knees threatening to buckle.

"Careful!" Dr. Bennett caught my elbow while shooting Felix a pointed look. "Mr. Thompson, give me a hand."

Felix moved instantly to my other side, his support careful and professional. Together, they guided me toward the nearest guest room,each step a careful dance of pain and pretense.

Once inside, Dr. Bennett shut the door with deliberate care. The soft click of the latch seemed to transform her from the Parkers' polite family doctor into something more direct. Her eyes found mine, sharp with concern as she took in my appearance.

"It's just been months, why do you look so pale."