Chapter 77

**Audrey's POV**

"What? It wasn't you?" I stared at James, trying to process what he was saying.

James licked his lips nervously and pulled up a conversation on his phone."Today I saw videos of you being cornered by Laurel and Blake at Mayo Clinic."

I took the phone, my stomach tightening as I recalled the humiliating scene.

"The comments were nasty," he continued. "I checked the accounts attacking you-they're the same marketing accounts that boost Laurel's social media."

I gripped his phone tighter.

"I concluded that this whole thing was orchestrated by Laurel's team,"he explained.

"So what did you do?" I prompted, my voice steady despite the churning in my chest.

"I couldn't deletethose posts, so..." James looked away. "I contacted Laurel's PR team and threatened to expose her with your marriage certificate photos if they didn't stop the attacks."

I examined the screen carefully. The evidence was clear-James had contacted LaureI's agency with threats, but he hadn't posted anything publicly.

"You threatened her team but didn't post the photos yourself?" I asked.

"I swear I didn't," James said. "I just wanted them to stop attacking you."

I studied his face. The composed executive I knew had been replaced by someone genuinely distressed. His eyes held no deception.

*James isn't lying.*

I scrolled through his messages to Laurel's agency:

"I've tracked the negative comments about Audrey Sinclair to your team.Stop now, or I'll publish these photos and expose Laurel as the homewrecker!"

The timestamp caught my attention. James had sent his threat exactly one hour before that anonymous account went viral.

"Audrey," James said quietly, "I know I acted impulsively."

Before I could respond, the door opened and Astrid walked in. "Finally ditched that garbage," she announced, then stopped when she felt the tension. "What'd I miss?"

While James brought Astrid up to speed, I remained silent, putting the pieces together while he continued.

James watched me. "I'm sorry, but I was worried about you. Her fans are brutal online. With your health condition, I thought the cyberbullying might be too much."

"I never imagined they'd actually publish everything themselves,"he added.

But it made perfect sense. One hour after James threatened them, Laurel's

team created an anonymous account and posted our marriage certificate photos. They'd taken control of the situation.

"That's too weird, though." Astrid, who'd been quiet until now,spoke up."Laurel's PR team posted evidence that she's a homewrecker? Do they hate her or something?"

I couldn't help smiling coldly as I scrolled through #LaurelTheHomewrecker trending on social media.

"This move is designed to force Blake to choose between her and me," I explained.

Astrid looked puzzled, then her eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

"She knows Blake will take her side," I said. "That's why she's confident enough to do this."

"Holy shit!" Astrid finally got it. "She's letting herself get dragged online so Blake will think you did it? Then he'll defend her and cut ties with you?And she'll blame everything on you?"

"Exactly. When this is over, I'll be the scheming ex-wife Blake publicly despises, while she'll be the innocent victim he protects."

I pointed to specific parts of the anonymous post about William Parker forcing me to marry Blake. "Laurel has always resented William, and my marriage to Blake is still a sore spot for her. She's using this chance to smear his reputation too."

"This is outrageous!" Astrid slammed her hand on the coffee table,rattling the teacups. "What are we going to do? We can't just sit back and take this!

"

I sipped my tea calmly. "Of course not."

The old me would have retreated, accepted the villain role to keep peace.

That Audrey ded when I got my diagnosis.

I set my cup down and looked at James. "James, this siuation started with your actions..."

"Don't worry," he cut in, his eyes locked on mine. "Whatever you need,just tell me. I'll take full responsibility."

The room went quiet. His words carried more weight than this specific situation required.

Astrid cleared her throat. "Guys, I'm still here. Tone it down, would you?"

I studied James's face, noting the deep longing in his eyes. A familiar ache bloomed in my chest as I remembered how things had once been between us.

"Snow has been especially clingy lately," I reminded softly.

James's face fell instantly. He knew what I meant. My white Ragdoll cat-Blake's anniversary gift-had become a painful reminder. The night I collapsed, James let Snow escape, then told Blake I didn't want her anymore.

"Cats being clingy is good, I guess," he mumbled,avoiding my eyes.

The defeat in his voice confirmed what I already knew. Despite his promises of responsibility, some bridges couldn't be rebuilt.

I took a deep breath, rising from my seat. "Well, James, I should head back."

"If I need your help with this, I'll contact you." Before leaving, I added,"Don't act impulsively again."

James nodded, his face ashen. "I understand."

In the elevator, Astrid stayed quiet. I knew she had hoped James and I might reconnect now that my marriage was ending. But with my limited time, such complications seemed pointless.

Outside, Astrid's phone rang. After answering, she turned to me.

"Want to join my agency's team dinner?" she suggested. "The models are gorgeous! Might take your mind off things."

I shook my head. "Thanks, but my face is all over the internet right now.Being recognized would just create more drama."

"Wear a mask!" Astrid winked. "I'm an expert at flying under the radar."

Her words almost made me smile. "If I show up, your models will spend the night gossiping about me instead of enjoying themselves," I said."I don't want to be the topic-of conversation."

"Go ahead. I'll be fine getting home."

Astrid sighed. "Alright. Call if anything happens,okay?"

I waved as she drove away. The street was quiet for New York,streetlamps casting pools of light as I walked. My apartment wasn't far from James's place, so it wouldn't take long.

The fresh air cleared my head. Despite the online chaos, I felt oddly calm.Perhaps it was knowing my time was limited, or maybe external drama seemed trivial compared to my own countdown.

As I approached my building, I stopped mid-step. Blake stood leaníng against his car, smoking. Cigarette butts littered the ground-he'd been waiting awhile.

I forced my expression calm and walked straight toward the entrance,pretending not to see him.

"Audrey Sinclair."

His deep voice stopped me at the door. It lacked the anger I expected.sounding almost like a request.

"Can we talk?"