Chapter 85

**Audrey's POV**

Seeing Blake's lips curved with that familiar hint of mockery, eyes watching me like I was some puzzle he enjoyed not solving

I frowned and turned away, fixing, my eyes on the elevator numbers instead of his face.

"If you don't want to say it, forget it. Next time, don't make excuses about needing to talk."

The elevator went quiet. From the corner of my eye,I caught Blake's eyes narrowing. His presence filled the small space until I could barely breathe.

I focused on the floor numbers. Fourteen... fifteen... sixteen. My nails dug into my palms. Despite everything, his proximity still affected me.

When the doors opened, I stepped out first,eager to escape.

"Audrey Sinclair."

I stopped but didn't turn. "What?"

Silence stretched behind me. I could feel him studying my back. The antiseptic smell mixed with the scent of breakfast I'd bought for William and Felix.

I started walking when he finally spoke, his voice oddly quiet.

"Michael will bring the divorce agreement this afternoon. If there's no problem, sign it, and we'll go to court tomorrow."

I paused. After trying for so long, the divorce was finally happening. And now,for Laurel's sake, Blake - who'd been furious when I missed our previous appointment - was pushing for it.

Even in divorce, he acted for another woman. What had I ever seen in him?

"Fine. I won't miss it."

I continued toward William's room. The food felt heavier than it should have.

"One more thing."

I stopped again.

"In three days at the Four Seasons Hotel, there will be a... ceremony."

I frowned at his hesitation.

"You know what ceremony it is,don't you?"

I turned around. Three days, Four Seasons Hotel... exactly what Thalia and Olivia had mentioned - the venue Blake had booked to propose to Laurel. And he was asking if I knew?

"I know," I said coldly. "What about it?"

Blake relaxed slightly. "Even though we're getting divorced,I hope you'll attend." His tone was oddly formal. "Make sure you're on time."

His eyes swept over my simple blouse and slacks. "Wear something nice."

I stared at him. Was he crazy? He was planning to propose to Laurel and wanted his soon-to-be ex-wife there in formal attire?

What was going through his head? Did he think we'd be friends after divorce, or was this just another way to humiliate me?

Blake shifted under my stare. He frowned, walked past me, and headed toward William's room.

I watched him, my emotions a mess. The man I once thought hung the moon was a stranger now. Yet the familiar set of his shoulders still sent a pang through my chest.

*Focus,Audrey. This doesn't matter.* I shook my head and followed.

As we approached William's room, his voice drifted into the hallway.Blake slowed, and I instinctively did the same.

"After those two divorce, they'll go separate ways," William was saying."Felix, I can see you have feelings for Audrey. Your situation isn't bad - if you pursue her, you might have a decent chance."

I nearly dropped the bags. What were they talking about?

"Mr. Parker, you... don't mind if I pursue Audrey?" Felix sounded surprised.

"Why would I mind? That's between you two," William replied. "We can't keep binding her to our family with a past marriage and stop her from finding someone new just because they're divorced."

A pause. "Besides... Blake is the one who wronged Audrey,carrying on with that Laurel Rose. What right does our family have to keep her from finding someone new?"

Warmth spread through my chest as I gripped the bags tighter. Even though I had no intention of dating after divorce -how could I, with only

three months left? - William's support meant something.

Blake's face darkened as he noticed my reaction.

"Well,since you put it that way..." Felix continued, sounding eager,"I guess I really will make a move on Mrs. Park - " He caught himself."I mean,Audrey."

"That's fine," William laughed. "You're reliable. I'd feel at ease if Audrey was with you. But these things depend on chemistry. Don't force it."

His voice softened. "But if you two do end up together, I'Il personally be there to give you my blessing at the wedding!"

"For your blessing, I'll have to try mny best..."

Before I could process this, Blake shoved the door open hard enough to bang against the wall. He stood there, fury radiating from his tall frame as he glared at Felix.

"Should I also offer my congratulations?" His voice was ice.

**Blake's POV**

The shock on Felix's face was obvious. His smile froze as he glanced awkwardly between me and Audrey.

"Blake, I... I was just joking," he stammered.

Grandfather snorted, looking at me. "If you don't treasure Audrey,someone else will! You're divorcing her - why do you care who pursues her?"

He turned to Felix, his expression softening. "I like Felix. He's just back from Europe and hasn't built his career yet, but at least his personal life is

clean - unlike some people who worship the woman who abandoned them!

The same old argument. The same accusations against Laurel.

"Grandfather, you misunderstand Laurel," I tried to keep my voice even. "She-"

"I don't want to hear that name!" He cut me off. "Don't mention her to me!

I closed my mouth. Out of respect, I stopped arguing. But frustration burned under my skin.

The room fell silent.

After a moment, Grandfather sighed and looked at Audrey. "When I first encouraged you to marry into our family, it was because I genuinely liked you and wanted you to become part of us."

His voice carried regret. "I never thought... But Felix is a good kid too. If you could be with him..."-

"William." Audrey's soft voice stopped him.

She moved past me, her shoulder brushing mine. Her face softened into a smile I rarely saw directed at me anymore.

"What are you saying?" she asked gently. "I don't need á partner to live.Please don't try to arrange things for me."

She handed breakfast to Grandfather and Felix, then set up the small table on the bed.

"Besides, even if I get divorced and am no longer a Parker, I'll still be your

granddaughter." Her hands worked efficiently, arranging containers of congee, dumplings,and frui. "And I'll still visit you like before."

"Good,good," Grandfather laughed, patting her hand. "Then I won't meddle. But you must keep your word - even after divorce, visit your grandfather often!"

"Of course," she promised, her voice warm. "Even before I was married,I always came to see you..."

I stood in the doorway, watching her coax Grandfather to eat. The light in his eyes, the ease in his shoulders - a transformation I rarely achieved.

The sight stirred something uncomfortable in me. These past months,because of Laurel, Grandfather and I had been at odds. Yet Audrey,without effort, could pull him from anger to laughter.

What did she have that made him so fond of her? When had she learned to handle him with such ease? Had she always been this way, and I'd simply never noticed?

My phone vibrated. Laurel's name lit up the screen. I glanced at Audrey,focused on helping Grandfather eat, her slender fingers adjusting his napkin, her voice gentle as she urged him to try the dumplings.

The phone kept vibrating. After a moment of hesitation, I answered.

"Yes, I'm coming," I said flatly, my eyes still on Audrey.

I turned and walked out, carrying the image of Audrey's gentle smile with me.