Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO novel Chapter 331

Chapter 331

Audrey’s POV

Adrian’s soft snores drifted from the bedroom as I pulled a blanket over myself on the couch. No way I was squeezing in there with him and Emma. Besides, I needed space to think.

Despite being exhausted from the day’s events, and finally seeing my friends again, sleep wasn’t coming. Adrian’s sleep-talking kept replaying in my head: “Evelyn… don’t leave me… I’ll give you anything… just stay…”

Why would my sister want to leave him? What did he do?

After an hour of tossing and turning, I grabbed my phone. The screen’s dim glow lit my face as I mindlessly scrolled through social media.

A notification popped up – friend request from Ella Murphy, jewelry designer according to her profile. Adrian had mentioned setting up accounts for ‘Evelyn Knox, but I hadn’t expected requests this fast. I hit accept.

A message arrived immediately: “Mrs. Knox, I’m the design director at Parker Group’s jewelry division. Mr. Parker arranged for me to coordinate our collaboration.”

I typed back: “Looking forward to working with you. Wasn’t Rachel Hayes and Blake Parker handling this directly?”

“Mr. Parker’s injured and needs to recover, Ella replied quickly. “Miss Hayes has to help with company matters. The jewelry collaboration was delegated to

She added: “Don’t worry about my qualifications. I’ve won several international awards.”

I stared at the screen, feeling unexpectedly hollow. Just days ago, Blake was inventing reasons to see me. I’d been worried he’d keep forcing interactions.

Now he’d passed me off to someone else. So much for his supposed remorse and regret. Just another fleeting emotion he could discard when convenient.

I understand,” I typed, then tossed my phone aside.

Blake’s POV

The hospital ceiling had become my view for hours. I scrolled through screenshots Ella had sent of her conversation with Audrey. The plan had worked perfectly – Ella had delivered my message that I was stepping back.

My phone rang. Ella.

“Anything else you want me to tell her, Mr. Parker?” she asked.

‘No. Just don’t mention me in future conversations with her.”

‘Sir, is your leg really that bad?*

I glanced at my right leg, trapped in a cast with metal supports, throbbing despite the meds pumping through my IV.

‘Rachel’s exaggerating,” I lied. “I just need rest. This is a chance to spend time with my grandfather.”

‘Enjoy your break then,” Ella said. “I’ll handle everything with the Knoxes.”

After hanging up, I sighed. The truth was worse than anyone knew. The trap had nearly taken my leg off. Without immediate medical attention in that forest, the damage had compounded – bones, arteries, infection. I’d coded once already since arriving at the hospital.

As Dr. Claker said: “Possible permanent mobility issues, life-threatening infection risks, and limited physical activity even with the best recovery.”

Rachel’s words echoed in my head from earlier. “Would you still pay this price to save Mrs. Knox if you had another chance?”

1/3

“I would, I’d answered without thinking.

“You’re insane!” she’d yelled before slamming the door.

Maybe I was. Whether that woman was Audrey or not, I would save anyone with her face without hesitation. That’s what I owed her.

The door opened as Michael walked in with files under his arm.

‘Sir, we’ve got detailed information about Evelyn Knox.”

1 raised an eyebrow.

‘We found something unusual.” He spread documents across my bed. “Look at this.”

He pointed to a treatment form. “The admission name is ‘Evelyn Parker,’ but we’ve confirmed it’s an alias for Evelyn Knox.”

My attention sharpened as he pulled out what looked like institutional paperwork.

“She was treated at a mental facility multiple times,” Michael explained. “Adrian Knox signed her in each time. Her parents seemed unaware.”

“When was this?” I asked, examining the papers.

“She spent six months in a Sydney mental institution,” Michael lowered his voice. “Emma was conceived during this period.”

“We suspect Adrian confined her there and only released her after she became pregnant.”

I flipped through the papers as Michael continued, “After giving birth, she developed heart failure three months later. She stayed hospitalized for four years.”

“There’s even a report claiming she was brain-dead.”

“Brain death?” I looked up. “Is recovery possible?”

Michael shook his head. “No, not with current technology.”

He frowned at the report. “Both the Knox family and Adrian dispute this, claiming the report is fake. Staff said she was just physically weak, not brain-dead. Still, she remained hospitalized for four years.”

‘She never left once in four years?” I found that hard to believe.

‘Actually, about seven months ago, Adrian took her to Europe for their anniversary.”

He showed me flight details and photos. The woman in these pictures wasn’t the same person I’d met. This Evelyn looked empty, barely alive – nothing like the vibrant woman I’d encountered.

“Sir, it’s possible the current Evelyn Knox might actually be your ex-wife,” Michael said carefully.

“The timing matches when your ex-wife had her accident. But…” he hesitated. “If she is your ex-wife, what happened to the real Evelyn Knox? Plus, your ex- wife had terminal cancer.”

I studied the documents, mind racing through the implications.

“Keep investigating, I ordered. “And arrange protection for Evelyn Knox.”

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