Chapter 88

Audrey's POV

I watched the reporters swarm around Laurel and Blake again. A heavy sigh escaped me as I turned to Felix, who was still holding my phone.

"Alright, that’s enough," I said, taking my phone back. "Thanks, Mr. Thompson. Astrid and I will treat you to dinner sometime to pay you back for the help."

Despite the chaos erupting around us, I felt oddly composed. It was as if the louder the world became, the quieter it grew inside my head.

Felix looked at me, our eyes meeting briefly. I offered him a radiant smile—one born of genuine relief. He seemed momentarily entranced, standing rooted to the spot as I prepared to walk away from the spectacle.

"Miss Sinclair! Please wait." Laurel’s voice called out, sweet but with a distinct, sharp edge beneath the surface.

I stopped and glanced back, keeping my expression carefully neutral. "Miss Rose, do you need something from me?"

"Of course I do." Laurel let go of Blake’s arm and walked over, the reporters trailing behind her like ducklings following a mother hen. She linked her arm through mine—a friendly gesture for the cameras, but I could feel her fingers digging into my skin.

"Miss Sinclair," she said, her voice raised for the microphones. "I understand that when you married Blake three years ago, you had your reasons. And I appreciate that you’ve looked after him in my absence."

I remained silent, waiting for the inevitable blow.

"But since you signed those divorce papers over a month ago, and now that these... unfortunate private records have been leaked online," she continued, her smile never faltering, "to avoid any further misunderstandings, why not settle this today? The reporters are here, the court is open. Let’s make the divorce official so everyone can move on. Don’t you agree?"

The reporters surged forward instantly, their questions hitting like hail. "Yes! An official end to the rumors!" "Will you finalize it on camera?" "You aren't having second thoughts, are you, Miss Sinclair?"

Every comment felt coordinated, a pincer movement designed to corner me. I looked at Blake. I could see the tension around his eyes, a flicker of something unsettled behind his usual mask of CEO stoicism.

Before the media could spiral further, Blake stepped through the crowd, positioning himself as a barrier between us and the flashing bulbs.

"Enough," he said, his voice low but carrying an undeniable authority. "You only need to know that Audrey and I decided to part ways long ago. When we choose to file the final paperwork is our family business. Outsiders have no say in the matter."

The corridor went silent. The reporters lowered their cameras, some even backing away. No one dared to challenge the man who controlled the Parker Group.

I noticed Laurel frowning, trying to catch the eye of certain reporters she had clearly briefed. But even her allies wouldn't risk Blake’s direct wrath. I smiled slightly and pulled my arm from Laurel’s grasp.

"Mr. Parker," I said clearly, my voice ringing out in the silence. "I think Miss Rose and the reporters have a point. Finalizing the certificate today would put an end to all this speculation. I’ve said it before: I only want what is mine. I have no interest in the Parker Group’s assets."

I curled my lips into a small smile. "Let’s go to court. With your influence, speeding up the administrative process shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Blake's POV

My body went rigid. I turned, stunned to see her calm, smiling face. This wasn't the reaction I expected.

"Since the decision was made over a month ago," she added evenly, "and now that Miss Rose is back, dragging this out isn't good for anyone. Is it, Blake?"

Then she turned and walked toward the exit, her steps light, as if a massive weight had just been lifted from her shoulders.

I stood frozen, watching her leave. My chest tightened painfully. During our marriage, Audrey had mentioned divorce during our rare, heated arguments, but I had always dismissed it as a tactic to get my attention. She had always eventually apologized, saying she was just being petty.

But this time was different. She wasn't backing down. She wasn't looking for an apology. She was walking away like she actually meant it.

A sense of helplessness washed over me. This couldn't be happening like this—so publicly, so final.

Laurel grabbed my arm, practically bouncing with a suppressed excitement. "Blake, darling, let’s go! We shouldn't keep Audrey waiting!"

As we headed outside, I saw Audrey getting into Felix Thompson’s sports car. My stomach tightened. She wouldn't even ride with me to her own divorce?

As my car pulled away, Laurel watched Felix’s car merge into traffic. "Miss Sinclair and Mr. Thompson seem very close," she mused. "She seems to get along with every man she meets. Unlike me... after all these years, you’re still my only true friend, Blake."

I closed my eyes, leaning back against the leather. "If you want, you could make more friends, Laurel."

"I don't want that," she whispered, leaning against my arm. "I’d be afraid you’d get jealous."

Behind my closed eyes, a memory of Audrey surfaced—from the early days, when she still looked at me with warmth.

"Using someone else to make your partner jealous is insecure and cruel," she had said once. "If I ever get close to another man, it's because I've truly moved on, Blake. I'd never do it just to hurt you."

When had that warmth disappeared? Had I been so focused on Laurel’s return that I hadn't noticed the light in my wife's eyes fading out?

"Blake, darling?" Laurel’s voice broke my thoughts. "You're distracted again." She pouted, clinging to my arm. "I asked if you'd be jealous if I had male friends everywhere like she does."

I looked at her, then back at the road where Felix's car had vanished. "No," I said, the word feeling heavier than it should. "I wouldn't."