Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO novel Chapter 436

Chapter 436

Audrey’s POV

The driver hesitated, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, he finally said, lowering his voice. “But given who you are, I might as well be straight with you.”

He took a breath before continuing. “That cruise five years ago – Leo wasn’t keen on going. He hated those events, and he didn’t want Blake exposed to that side of the business world.”

“But these cruises can be dangerous, right?” I asked.

“Exactly. He nodded. ‘Blake was dying to go, but Leo always refused.”

He gripped the wheel tighter. “Until he got an email from Australia. His old flame’s sister wanted to meet him – said she had something left for him. That’s the only reason he agreed to take Blake.”

He sighed. “Poor guy just wanted a memento from his first love. Instead, he lost his life.”

I leaned back, processing this. Eleanor wasn’t on that ship – her sister Evelyn was. My biological sister.

Whenever my adoptive mother mentioned the New York Parkers, she would seethe with hatred, especially about Leo. Her face would twist with rage, like she wanted to tear them apart.

Was returning Leonora’s memento just a cover story? Had the real purpose been to lure Leo onto that ship to die in the disaster?

A chill ran through me. Maybe I shouldn’t think such things about my sister’s adoptive parents… but everything seemed so strange.

“Ma’am.”

The driver’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. He had pulled over to the side of the road.

*Blake never knew about this,” he said, his expression serious. “After the shipwreck, I told William. He stayed quiet for a long while, then told me to keep it from Blake.”

His eyes found mine in the mirror. “He wanted Blake to remember that his father’s final act was supporting him in business, not chasing a memento from some long-dead girlfriend.”

He looked at me imploringly. “Could you also keep this between us?”

After a moment’s consideration, I nodded. “I will.”

There was no point telling Blake this truth. Hurting his memories of his father wouldn’t help anyone, least of all me.

“Thank you for telling me, though, I added with a small smile.

The driver waved dismissively. “No need for thanks. I consider you family.”

He smiled warmly. “Even though you and Blake divorced, you were once the Parker family’s daughter-in-law and William’s favorite. I’ve never seen you as an

outsider.

Fallen leaves covered the nursing home’s tree-lined path as I stepped from the car. Autumn had arrived almost overnight, turning the once-green canopy golden and bare.

Chapter 436

Last time I’d walked here with Blake, we’d encountered Rebecca, and he’d tumbled into a heap of garbage trying to help me. I never imagined the proud, dignified CEO would embarrass himself that way for my sake.

Since I’d awakened, Blake had consistently tried to help me

–

from our time on Long Island to taking a knife for Emma days ago.

Maybe his remorse was genuine. I could sense his good intentions, but accepting his belated depth of feeling remained difficult. Whatever we once had died with Audrey Sinclair.

“Mrs. Knox!” Charles’s eyes widened when I reached William’s floor. “What about Blake? Is he-”

“A friend is with him,’ I explained, glancing toward William’s room. “There’s no immediate concern.”

Charles’s expression fell. “After emergency treatment, William’s a bit better than on the wedding day, but…”

He swallowed hard. “The doctors say he doesn’t have much time. He can’t even speak anymore.”

His voice trembled. “If they removed the machines… he wouldn’t last ten minutes.”

Tears welled in the old butler’s eyes. “If I’d known how badly that livestream would affect him, I never would have shown it to him. Blake specifically said not to let him see anything related to the wedding…”

I handed him a tissue from my purse. “Don’t blame yourself. No one will hold this against you – not William, not Blake.”

I touched his arm gently. “You’ve done well enough. William’s condition now… it’s his choice.”

Charles dabbed his eyes, nodding gratefully. “Thank you for listening to my regrets.”

He straightened slightly. “His condition is a bit better than before. He’s conscious now and can understand what people say.”

“Go ahead in,” he said, stepping aside.

The hospital room was profoundly quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of machines. During the brief silences between beeps, I heard William’s labored breathing – raspy like a creaking door, harsh and slow.

The sound made my throat tighten as I sensed his life gradually ebbing away.

“William,” I said softly. “It’s Audrey, I’ve come to see you.”

His fingers twitched slightly. Slowly, his eyes opened and turned toward me. When his clouded eyes found my face, he paused momentarily before tears welled up and spilled down his cheeks.

His face, partially covered by the oxygen mask, trembled as he tried to speak. Despite his evident effort, only unintelligible sounds emerged: “Ah, ah – !”

‘Don’t try to speak,” I said gently. I know you’re upset because of the wedding…”

I moved closer. ‘Please don’t worry about Blake not being Rebecca’s son. He’s accepted this calmly.”

I tried to sound reassuring. His announcement at the wedding shows he’s come to terms with it.”

Michael confirmed that although he isn’t Rebecca’s biological son, he had DNA tests done many times while Leo was alive. He’s still Parker blood. Nothing

will change that.”

‘Blake hasn’t visited you because he’s been handling everything from the wedding. It’s not that he doesn’t want to see you…”

William stared at me, tears continuing to flow down his cheeks. I could see complex emotions in his eyes but couldn’t decipher the anxiety hidden there.

2/3

Chapter 436

Is there something you want to tell me?” I asked, sitting down and taking his hand.

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