Chapter 290
Audrey’s POV
Blake stared down at me, shock written all over his face.
He grabbed my wrist before I could react. “No, this isn’t right.”
I tried pulling away, keeping my expression cold.
“Audrey,” he said, his voice shaking slightly. “Hate me all you want. Hit me again if that helps. But don’t pretend you don’t know
me.”
His grip tightened as he leaned closer. “Five years together. Five years. You can’t just erase that.”
I tugged harder, my voice icy. “Let go of me. I don’t know you, and I’m not this Audrey person.”
“I’ll call security if you don’t back off right now,” I added.
Blake wouldn’t budge. “Stop this. We both know there’s no way two people could look exactly alike. You’re my wife.”
Just as things were escalating, a deep voice cut through. “Take your hands off my wife.”
Adrian stepped between us, firmly removing Blake’s hand from my wrist.
Blake’s eyes darkened. “What did you just say?”
“I said she’s my wife, Evelyn Knox, Adrian replied coolly.
With a smirk, Adrian pulled me against him. I stiffened for a split second – we’d practiced our public appearances, but this felt different. I quickly adjusted, leaning into him and resting my head on his shoulder.
“Honey, this man won’t leave me alone,” I said, looking at Blake cautiously. “I’ve told him he’s got the wrong person.”
Adrian patted my back reassuringly. “Don’t worry about it.” He turned to Blake. “I’ve heard about you, Mr. Parker. Driving your ex-
wife to her death has taken a toll, hasn’t it?”
The air went still. I nestled against Adrian’s chest, hiding my frown. This wasn’t what I’d expected. We’d only just arrived, and Adrian was already pushing Blake’s buttons.
I hadn’t prepared for such a direct confrontation. Though I’d cut ties with Blake, hearing Adrian mock him using my “death” felt wrong. Too personal.
Blake’s face hardened, “What did you just say about my business?”
“Touched a nerve?” Adrian’s smile widened. “Just stating facts.”
Feeling my discomfort, Adrian changed tactics. “Though I suppose it might not have been intentional. Regardless, we’re here for Dr. Clarke’s birthday, not to cause trouble.”
He looked Blake straight in the eye. “Stop harassing my wife. Unless you want everyone here knowing that the great Blake Parker is already chasing other men’s wives while the flowers on his ex-wife’s grave are still fresh.”
Adrian glanced down at me. “You okay?”
1/2
I pursed my lips and shook my head.
“Let’s go,” he said, guiding me toward our car.
He helped me inside and closed the door.
Blake’s POV
Just as the woman sat inside, I clearly heard a childish voice from the back seat: “Mommy, did that strange man hurt you?”
The woman turned and said something to the back seat, but because the car door closed, I couldn’t hear what she said.
Adrian gave me one last cold look. “Mr. Parker, I understand the resemblance is striking, but my wife isn’t your dead ex. Her name is Evelyn Knox. Look her up if you don’t believe me.”
Without waiting for my response, he got in and drove away.
I stood frozen, watching the car disappear. My mind raced. That woman had Audrey’s face – exactly Audrey’s face – but everything else felt wrong. Her voice, her eyes, and especially that little girl calling her “Mommy.”
I knew every person in Audrey’s life. There’s no way such dramatic changes could have happened in seven months. No feelings for me, married to someone else, with a child who looked about four years old. The timeline made no sense.
Yet that little girl looked just like her.
Rachel approached cautiously when the car was gone. She touched my sleeve gently. “Blake? You okay?”
I kept staring at the empty road. “Rachel, could two people really look that identical?”
Rachel sighed. “I know this is hard. I miss Audrey too – probably more than you realize. But…”
