Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO novel Chapter 442

Chapter 442

Audrey’s POV

I gave Astrid a quick hug, feeling her tense up. “Don’t worry. He knows you lost your memory.”

“Henry’s not going to hold anything against you that you said while under someone else’s influence.”

Astrid bit her lip and closed her eyes. Her worried expression said everything.

‘Just breathe,’ I suggested.

She still looked like she wanted to vanish, so I patted her shoulder. ‘I’ll explain everything to your parents about Henry coming over. I’ll also tell them about your memory situation.”

I sighed. “Let’s hope they can wrap their heads around something this weird.”

Astrid nodded, perched anxiously on the edge of her bed.

Her face was so troubled that I offered her an out. “If you’re not ready to see him, just stay upstairs. I can handle the conversation downstairs.”

“You can listen from here, and if you want to say something, text me. I’ll be your voice.”

Hearing this, Astrid’s face softened. “Thanks, Audrey.”

“Mom and Dad were right. You really are the best friend I could ask for.”

My hand paused on the doorknob. I gave her a small smile. ‘I’m… not even close.”

I’ve never done for her what she’s done for me.

I’d just finished explaining everything to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson when an engine roared outside. Henry Hartford had arrived.

Mr. Wilson straightened his tie before opening the door. “Mr. Hartford?”

Henry handed him a gift box. “Good to meet you.”

I noticed Henry carried the gift himself instead of having an assistant do it – this visit was definitely unplanned.

Mr. Wilson passed the gift to a nearby maid. “Too kind of you.”

Mrs. Wilson took my arm as she approached. “Please come in and sit down.”

Henry nodded. “Thank you.”

Henry’s POV

Meeting Astrid’s parents for the first time, I studied them and their home carefully.

They seem quieter-than Astrid, but gentle and accepting. Makes sense they’d raise someone like her.

It makes me think about my own family. If my parents had been half this warm…

“Mr. Hartford?” Audrey’s voice cut through my thoughts.

Chapter 442

“Sorry,” I said, realizing I’d zoned out.

1 followed them inside. Despite the mansion’s luxurious exterior, the interior felt surprisingly homey.

After taking a sip of tea Mrs. Wilson offered, I asked directly, “Where’s Astrid?”

Mrs. Wilson laughed awkwardly. “That girl… she’s worried about things she might’ve said while she had memory loss.”

‘She’s hiding because she doesn’t know how to face you.”

She smiled. Our daughter’s always been like this. You can tell us or Audrey whatever you need to say.”

I looked toward the staircase and caught a flash of red fabric peeking around the corner. My lips curved slightly.

Red. Always her color.

I cleared my throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Astrid’s memory loss is connected to me.”

‘She got hurt because of me.”

“I rarely manage my modeling agency directly, so I’ve always delegated those responsibilities to Astrid.”

‘She’s excellent at her job and has helped the business grow significantly. Our relationship became closer than the typical boss-employee setup.”

‘I never thought someone would misinterpret that relationship and target her.”

Mr. Wilson frowned and cut me off. “We already know all this.”

“This isn’t your fault.”

“You acted professionally with our daughter. You never meant for anyone to get the wrong idea.”

“The people who went after her made their own assumptions. You didn’t tell them to target Astrid.”

“We don’t blame you.”

I couldn’t hide my surprise.

She’s their only daughter. They must be devastated. Most parents would want someone to blame.

But they’re not accusing me. They’ve thought it through and pinned it on Ryan Quinn where it belongs.

In thirty years, I’ve never met people like this.

Growing up, nothing I did pleased my mother. My father ignored me except when punishing me.

The business world has only shown me more selfishness. I expected blame, insults, maybe worse. Instead…

Mr. Wilson continued, “But since this all started with you, we hope you’ll take responsibility for Astrid.”

The room fell silent. I looked directly at them both and stated firmly: “I will marry her.”

The three of them froze in shock. Before anyone could speak, a loud thump came from upstairs.

We all looked toward the stairs. I raised an eyebrow at the noise.

Chapter 442

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson scrambled to cover. ‘Probably just our cat making mischief.”

Mrs. Wilson called a maid. “Check if our cat is okay.”

The maid looked confused. “Ma’am, when did we get a cat?”

The room grew awkward. I watched Mrs. Wilson’s face.

Her cheeks reddened. “I bought it today! Just came home!”

“That noise must mean it fell. Go check!”

The maid hesitated before understanding dawned. “Oh! The… red cat. Right away!”

She hurried upstairs as I smiled. “Hope your cat’s alright.”

Audrey’s POV

I cleared my throat. “Did you just say you’ll marry Astrid?”

Henry looked away from the stairs. “Yes. That’s what taking responsibility means.”

‘She’s suffered because of me. I’ll spend my life making it up to her.”

Mrs. Wilson coughed. “We appreciate that, but marriage is Astrid’s decision.

“Our only requirement is her happiness.”

*So –

Mr. Wilson interrupted. “Wait! Mr. Hartford misunderstood me. I didn’t mean marriage when I said responsibility.”

He took a breath. “I meant her memory loss needs – ”

Henry cut him off. “I understood perfectly. I intend to take responsibility for Astrid Wilson. For life.”

The living room went completely silent.

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