Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO novel Chapter 285

Chapter 285

Audrey’s POV

I held the smoking gun, a bullet hole in the ceiling. “Just checking it wasn’t a fake. It’s real enough.”

A middle-aged woman rushed in behind Adrian and grabbed the gun, passing it to someone outside. “Put this away!”

She turned to me, anxiety written across her face. “Does this mean you’re choosing to live?”

I studied her carefully. Unlike Adrian, her eyes showed genuine concern. She seemed kind – nothing like the man who’d handed me a loaded gun.

“Yes, I’m choosing life,” I said firmly. “But not on your terms.”

I tossed the newspapers toward them. “My friends need help. They’ve been set up.”

Adrian laughed. “In your condition? What help could you possibly be?”

“I’m still going back,” I matched his stare.

The woman sat beside me. “Child, I’m your sister’s mother Eleanor. I understand how you feel, but you’re nowhere near strong enough for travel.”

“And you owe me,” Adrian cut in. “Ten million in treatment costs. We risked everything bringing you here. Without us, you’d be in the ground.”

“So that’s it? You saved me just to put me in your debt?”

Adrian went silent. For once, his face showed something besides coldness. He stared at me like he was seeing someone else through my features.

“I owe your sister,” he finally said, his voice lower. “In her final days, finding her lost family was all she talked about. I promised I’d help you.”

Eleanor took my hand. “We hoped you’d help with Emma because she’s your niece. Adrian travels constantly. She needs a mother figure.”

Her eyes stayed on mine. “But we won’t force you. Recover first, then decide.”

–

I looked between them, understanding dawning. Adrian wasn’t just cold he was drowning in guilt.

“Tell me about my sister,” I asked. “What was she like?”

Adrian gazed out the window. “Strong. Optimistic, even knowing her time was limited. She designed beautiful jewelry. You have her talent.”

He paused. Her last wish was to meet you, to ask you to care for Emma. She believed you’d be a good mother.”

I took a deep breath. “I need time to think.”

I looked at them both. “But I do know one thing I’m choosing to live, whatever happens next.”

I spent the next few days in physical therapy, learning to work with muscles that had atrophied during my coma. Adrian made himself scarce, but Eleanor visited daily. I still didn’t trust him, but I found myself warming to her.

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200

When Adrian ducked out for a business call one afternoon, I seized my chance.

“Tell me about my sister,” I said. “The real story. Not his version.”

Eleanor’s shoulders drooped slightly. “Fair enough.”

She pulled out a leather album from her tote bag and handed it to me. “This might help.”

I opened it and froze. The woman staring back at me was… me, but not me. Same face, same features, but her eyes held something mine never had – peace.

“Weird, right?” Eleanor said.

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