Chapter 302
Rachel’s POV
In my memory, the sunshine was perfect that day.
Watching Audrey cradling that stray kitten in the pet store, I felt something shift inside me. The gentleness in her touch, the natural way she supported its tiny body.
That’s when I decided she’d be my best friend. Someone who cared that deeply for a stray animal would make a loyal friend for life.
“Rachel?”
Blake’s voice yanked me back to reality. “Did you take Snow to Dr. Clarke’s?”
I watched Evelyn across the room, holding Snow exactly the way Audrey once had.
“I told you not to touch that cat,” Blake snapped. “She’s the last connection I have to Audrey. What were you thinking?”
“I thought a cat needed stability,” I said quietly. “Someone who’s emotionally present.”
Blake sighed heavily. “So you did take her to Clarke’s.”
A car door slammed through the phone. “I’m heading there now to fix this. I’m taking Snow back.”
His voice hardened. “And don’t get any other ideas about Audrey’s things. Our engagement is for show, Rachel. I never intended to marry you.”
The call ended. I stood there clutching my phone, a bitter smile forming on my lips.
“Miss Hayes.”
Evelyn approached, Snow nestled against her chest.
“Thanks for bringing us together again,” she said. “I’ll take good care of her.”
She took Emma’s hand and walked past me.
Adrian paused before following them. “Since Clarke’s already given us the cat, keep your fiancé from causing problems.”
His lips curved into a cold smile. “I could send videos if you’re worried about the cat’s welfare. Though that seems unnecessary since you gave her up.”
As their footsteps faded, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.
Dr. Clarke’s POV
“Dr. Clarke!” Blake burst into my villa, desperation written across his face. “That ragdoll cat means everything to me – ”
“I know she belonged to Audrey Sinclair,” I said, cutting him off. “But what’s the point of keeping her when you couldn’t even keep Audrey?’
Chapter 302
Blake froze. His shoulders slumped.
“I just wanted something to remember her by,” he said, his voice hollow. “I’ve made so many mistakes. She left without a word chance to make things right.”
He stared at the floor. “I had to beg Ethan just to get the cat.”
“I already gave Snow away,” I said gently.
Blake’s head jerked up. “You what? How could you
‘I returned her to the rightful owner,” I explained. “To Audrey Sinclair.”
His confusion was palpable. “What are you talking about?”
“She left with the cat, her new husband, and their daughter.”
“You mean Evelyn Knox?” Blake asked slowly.
“No,” I said firmly. “Audrey Sinclair.”
Blake frowned, processing this. “I’ll go find Evelyn Knox then.”
He turned and strode toward the door.
– no
Watching his back, I recalled my shock months ago, discovering Audrey alive in Adrian’s Australian mansion. The mere suggestion of a brain transplant had horrified me. Adrian Knox would only trap Audrey in the same misery Evelyn had endured.
Despite everything Blake had done, I knew he was the only one who could truly make Audrey happy. Whether they could overcome their past remained to be seen.
With this thought, I called after him, “Remember, not Evelyn Knox, but Audrey Sinclair!”
Once he was gone, my student shook his head. “He doesn’t believe you, does he?”
“It’s hard to accept that someone who supposedly died returned with a different identity,” I replied. “I’ve done what I could. If he refuses to see the truth, there’s little hope.”
Audrey’s POV
“Mommy, is this cat called Snow?” Emma asked, her small hands framing her face as she watched the white cat exploring our suite.
She beamed. “That’s such a cute name!”
“I thought so too when I named her,” I said, stroking Snow’s head.
Two years ago, when Blake first brought this fluffy ragdoll home, the name had come to me instantly. Snow had seemed to approve, responding to it immediately.
‘Meow!” The cat pushed against my fingers.
Emma’s lower lip jutted out. “I wish she liked me that much.”
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She glanced at the clock. “Daddy’s been gone forever. Why’s it taking so long to buy cat stuff?”
*Long Island isn’t like the city,” I explained. “Pet stores are harder to find. He’ll be back soon.”
Emma nodded. “Okay.”
The doorbell’s sharp ring pulled me from my thoughts.
“Daddy’s back!” Emma jumped up, excited. “We were just talking about you!”
She raced barefoot to the door. “Daddy!”
“Emma, wait,” I called. “Your father has a key – ”
But she’d already yanked the door open and thrown her arms around the visitor’s legs. “Did you get everything for Snow?”
C
My heart stopped when I saw Blake standing there, frozen in shock as he stared down at the little girl clutching his leg.
“Emma!” I snapped, feeling my pulse pound in my temples. “That’s not your father. Let go of him!”
Emma finally looked up. When she saw who she was hugging, her face went white.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, dropping her arms and backing away. “Thought you were my daddy.”
Blake’s jaw tightened at her words.
“Mr. Parker.” I set Snow down and moved between him and Emma. “Adrian’s not here. If this is about business, you should call him.”
“I came for you,” Blake said, walking past me into the suite. He headed straight for Snow and reached for her. “For the cat, actually. She’s mine.”
Snow dodged his hands with a loud meow, darting to my feet where she rubbed against my legs, eyes fixed on Blake.
Even the cat doesn’t want you.
I stared at the white ball of fur pressing against me and felt something tug inside my chest.
We’d just found each other again. I wasn’t giving her up.
When I faced death, I’d trusted Ethan to take care of Snow. Never thought he’d hand her over to Blake, who then tried passing her off to Dr. Clarke like some unwanted gift.
The same cat he knew meant everything to me.
If he’d cared even a little about his ex-wife, he wouldn’t have given away the one thing she loved most.
Not happening again.
I picked Snow up, cradling her against my chest. She found her courage there, facing Blake with an open-mouthed hiss.
