Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO novel Chapter 396

Chapter 396

She raised her hand to strike again, but I caught her wrist.

“That’s enough,” I said coolly. “I accept the first slap since William’s collapse might be related to me. But you don’t get a second one.”

I pushed her hand away. Rachel winced, rubbing her wrist.

My cheek stung, but I kept my face expressionless as I walked past her toward the emergency room. I didn’t even glance at Blake as I passed his wheelchair.

‘Let her in,” Dr. Bennett said, stepping aside. “He’s asking for her.”

I nodded my thanks and entered the room.

William looked so frail lying there, hooked up to machines, his skin ashen. My throat tightened at the sight.

‘You came…” He reached for me with a trembling hand.

I rushed to his side and took his hand. “William, I’m here.”

A smile spread across his face. “You came to see me… I’m so happy.”

His eyes narrowed as he noticed my cheek. “What happened to your face? Did they hit you because of me? This is all my fault.”

He reached out to touch the handprint. I leaned into his palm.

“It’s nothing,” I murmured.

“Don’t lie to me,” he said. “I may be old, but I’m not stupid. I know what happened.”

William’s eyes filled with concern. “Child, you’ve suffered because of me.’

He asked Charles for a tissue and wiped the tears I hadn’t realized were falling. ‘Don’t cry for me anymore.”

The way he looked at me wasn’t how someone would look at a stranger, or even at their grandchild’s twin. It was too familiar, too intimate.

Does he recognize me? I wondered. How could he look at a stranger with such tenderness? Is it just because I’m Audrey’s twin?

My emotions overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t stop the tears.

“I don’t have much time left,” William said, his voice barely above a whisper. “You need to take care of yourself when I’m gone.”

He studied my face. “That Adrian seems like a decent man. I don’t know why he’s good to you, but at least he doesn’t make you miserable.”

His gaze softened. “Just live your life. Take care of your sister’s little girl.”

And let the past stay in the past.”

I squeezed his fingers, feeling a bittersweet ache in my chest.

“William…” The word caught in my throat.

William nodded, smiling. “I just want you to be happy.”

Something in his eyes – that familiar warmth, that unconditional love – broke my last defenses. I threw my arms around him, careful of the tubes and wires.

William!”

Chapter 396

it hit me then. He knew who I was. He’d recognized me all along.

That’s why he’d waited at the hotel. That’s why he’d wanted to see Emma so badly.

He’d been worried about me. Even after everything, he couldn’t let me go.

The realization made my chest hurt. I’d pretended not to know him, and that must have broken his heart – enough to land him here.

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