Chapter 68

**Audrey's POV**

For a moment. I just stared at the basin, unable to process what had just happened. Water cascaded over theedge,forming a widening puddle on

the pristine hospital floor.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" Laurel cried out, horror painted across her face.

I stared at my submerged phone as it sparked and went dark.White smoke curled from the case. When I fished it out, water dripped from every crack and seam.

I crouched down, picking up the broken pieces, my throat tight. This wasn't just any phone. Rachel had given it to me four years ago, right before her accident - before she became unresponsive, before her family vanished to Europe with her. The last gift from my best friend.

Looking at the scattered components on the floor, my heart felt sliced open.Four years of messages and photos... and the recording that could have shown Blake who Laurel really was.

"Miss Sinclair, I'm so sorry..." LaureI's voice cut through my thoughts. She leaned back against her pillows, hand pressed to her chest."When you raised your voice, I got scared and my hand shook... then I knocked over the basin trying to help... I didn't mean to."

I gathered the fragments, each piece a lost connection to Rachel. The memory card was ruined too -all our shared moments gone.

"What model is your phone?" Laurel asked. "I'll replace it for you, okay?"

Something in her tone made me look up with ultimate anger. For just a second. I caught a flash of satisfaction in her eyes before she covered it with more fake concern.

I stood slowly. "You planned this all along, didn't you? Made me stay just so you could destroy my phone."

Laurel blinked rapidly. "Miss Sinclair, I don't know what you're talking about."

"No one knows better than you," I said.

I took a deep breath, fighting to stay calm. I carefully picked up the remaining pieces and dropped them in my purse.

"Do you think destroying my phone means you're safe now?" I asked,forcing a cold smile. "What if I have a backup?"

I could see her face paled instantly, and her hand froze mid-gesture.

"You're lying," she said, voice tight. Her teeth sank into her lower lip,eyes now filled with undisguised panic.

"You don't have any backup," she added, studying my face. "You're bluffing."

I closed my purse with a snap. "Whether I do or don't, you'll find out soon. Try to stay this calm when that happens."

As I turned to leave, Blake blocked my path, his expression dark.

"What did you back up? Photos of Laurel?" he dlemanded.

I stared at him, confused until I remembered Laurel's earlier accusation about unflattering photos.

"Didn't you say you hadn't taken any pictures of her?" His eyes narrowed to cold slits.

"I have zero interest in taking her photo," I said flatly. "As for what my backup contains... ask your precious Miss Rose. I'm done explaining myself to you."

Blake's forehead creased with confusion as I pushed past him.

Each step toward the exit sent pain shooting through my legs. The bruises from my tumble down the stairs throbbed in protest. Still, I forced myself to walk normally, refusing to show weakness.

The hallway stretched endlessly ahead. I gritted my teeth, focusing only on putting one foot in front of the other.

I was so focused that I didn't notice when my balance failed. My right leg buckled, throwing me off-center. I tried to recover but only made it worse.

*Too late.* By the time I realized I was falling, I couldn't stop it. I closed my eyes, bracing for impact with the hard floor.

Instead, strong hands caught me around the waist,pulling me against a solid chest. The familiar cedar scent crashed me- a smell that once meant safety,home, and lazy Sunday mornings.

The memory jolted me back to reality. I pulled away quickly, my face hot with embarrassment.

"Thank you," I muttered.

I turned to go,but Blake grabbed my wrist.

"Audrey." His voice mixed concern with irritation. His eyes dropped to my legs where bruises showed through my pants, "Are your injuries that bad?"

"No." I pulled my hand away. "I just tripped."

I kept walking, more careful this time. Each step still hurt, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing it.

As I neared the elevator, dizziness washed over me. I paused,leaning against the wall for support. *Just a few more steps.*

**Blake's POV**

I watched Audrey walking away, noticing her slight limp despite her efforts to hide it. Dr. Bennett's words flashed through my mind.

I turned.back toward Laurel's room, then hesitated. What backup was Audrey talking about? Why had Laurel looked so scared?

I glanced down the hall where Audrey now leaned against the wall.struggling.

"She's hurt her legs," I said. "I'm going to check on her."

I was halfway to the door when Laurel's voice stopped me.

"Blake darling..." Her voice trembled perfectly. "You're leaving me alone?"

When I turned, she was sitting up, lips quivering, tears ready to fall. "I'll be scared by myself,.."

"It's fine," I said, trying to hide my frustration. "This is a hospital. There are doctors and nurses right outside. Just press the button if you need

anything."

I turned toward the door again, concerned about Audrey's condition.

"In your heart..." Laurel's voice rose suddenly, loud enough to echo down the hall. "Do I matter more than Miss Sinclair?"

The question stopped me cold. I'd never heard Laurel be so direct - or so loud, like she was performing for someone.

I looked down the hallway. Audrey had stopped, still leaning against the wall with her back to us. Had she heard? Of course she had - Laurel had practically shouted.

Was she really resting there because she felt weak, or was she waiting for my answer?

I almost laughed. Didn't she say she wanted a divorce? Acting like she doesn't care, but still needs to know where she stands?

After a pause, I sighed and went back to Laurel, tucking her blanket around her. But my eyes kept drifting to Audrey's still figure down the hall.

"Why are you asking this now?" I said, buying time.

Laurel's eyes glistened with tears. "I'm sick too, but youI'd leave me for her..

She grabbed my hand tightly. "Blake darling, tell me the truth - who matters more to you, me or Miss Sinclair?"

Her voice broke with emotion but stayed loud enough to carry down the hallway.

I'd been here before - trapped between honesty and protecting Laurel's fragile health. But knowing Audrey was listening made my chest tighten uncomfortably.

"Remember what I told you when we first reunited?" I finally said, loud enough to be heard.

Laurel's eyes brightened instantly. "You said besides your family, I was the most important person to you!"

The words stuck in my throat. "Yes. What I said then still stands."

As I spoke. I stared at Audrey's distant figure. Even from far away, I saw her body tremble slightly. Then she pushed herself off the wall and continued her slow walk toward the elevator.

My heart felt squeezed in a vise. The feeling was so intense I barely heard Laurel's response.

"So Blake darling, you mean in your heart, I'm still more important than Miss Sinclair,right?" Laurel's voice rose with excitement, clearly meant for Audrey's ears.

"I knew it! Blake darling,you care about me the most!"