Chapter 397
Audrey’s POV
William and I cried together for what felt like forever. I held onto this old man who’d been more family to me than my own blood relatives.
When our tears finally dried up, William took a deep breath and looked at me with clear eyes. “I heard from Charles that your adoptive parents are Jeffrey and Eleanor Parker from Australia,” he said.
‘Yes.’
He let out a sigh. ‘When you go back to Sydney, stay there. Don’t come back to New York.
“Between the Australian Parkers and us… there’s bad blood,” he continued. “Twenty years of grudges and conflicts.”
He squeezed my hand. “It’s already remarkable they took you in despite everything. After I’m gone, cut ties with the New York Parkers. You understand?”
I bit my lip and nodded. “I understand.”
Relief washed over his face. “Good.”
It made sense now. Through Adrian’s earlier explanation, I finally understood the decades-long feud. My adoptive parents had taken me in despite their history with the New York Parkers. Once William passed, I’d have no reason to stay connected to any of them. Clean breaks were best for everyone.
William looked ready to say more when Thalia’s voice cut through our moment.
“Blake, what are you doing?”
William frowned as her voice grew louder.
“Have you forgotten that grandfather ended up here because of her? Now you’re letting them be alone? Do you want him dead?”
I sighed. “William –
“Help me up,” he interrupted, struggling to sit.
“You should rest.”
I have something to say. The authority in his voice hadn’t diminished with age.
Charles moved to his side. “Sir – ”
Since you and Adrian are here, start a livestream,” William instructed me. “I want witnesses.”
‘I heard them fighting over my inheritance,” he said. “Might as well read the will in person while I still can.”
“He knows his body,” Charles said, resignation in his voice. “Let him do what he wants.”
I supported William’s shoulders while Charles helped him into a waiting wheelchair. A nurse rushed in to protest, but William dismissed her with a wave,
I set up the livestream on my phone as requested, then followed as Charles wheeled William toward the door.
The hallway conversations died instantly when we emerged. William signaled Charles to stop when they reached Blake, who was sitting in his wheelchair by
the door.
“Blake.” Just his name, but loaded with disappointment.
Blake looked up, face blank.
Chapter 397
“A man who can’t stand will never win back what he wants,” William said, eyes fixed on Blake’s legs.
“If you’re content wallowing in self-pity, I have nothing more to say,” William continued. “Whether you stay disabled or stand again is your choice.”
Blake’s mouth curved slightly. “I don’t want to win anything back.”
He glanced my way before adding, “Being disabled isn’t so bad.”
Anger flashed across William’s face. “The Parker family produced someone who’s given up on himself! Your father and I raised you to work for what you
want.”
William’s grip tightened on his armrests. “You’re not worthy of being a Parker.”
“Your father would be disappointed,” William said, voice shaking. “The son he died protecting turned out like this!”
I watched Blake carefully. This wasn’t the proud, sharp man I remembered. The Blake Parker I knew would never accept being second to anyone. After his father’s death, he’d built Parker Group into something extraordinary. But this man before me seemed hollow, indifferent to William’s harsh words.
William signaled Charles to move on. As they wheeled past, I hesitated.
Blake’s POV
She stood there between my grandfather’s wheelchair and mine, uncertain which way to go. The hospital lights caught in her hair.
“Don’t just stand there,” I said flatly. “Go with my grandfather.”
Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO
