Chapter 327
Taking a deep breath, I stopped fighting and wrapped my arms around Astrid, holding her just as tight.
“Astrid, it’s been a long time,” I said softly. “I’ve missed you.’
Everyone around us went still. Adrian’s eyes turned cold, his brow furrowed. Rachel stared in disbelief. The only sounds were the wind through the trees and the medical team working on Blake’s leg.
“Audrey, this is amazing!” Astrid cried, squeezing me tighter. “You’re really alive!”
I let her hold me a moment longer before gently breaking free.”That’s enough crying. Let’s talk when you calm down.”
Looking at her tear-streaked face, I couldn’t help smiling. “You’re still so impulsive.”
Astrid tried to speak but got so emotional a bubble formed at her nose. I laughed at the sight, and after a second of surprise, she joined in.
“What are you laughing at? This is your fault!” She swatted my shoulder. “I’m a big-deal model now, and look at me! You owe me!”
I caught her hand, feeling lighter than I had in months. “Fine, fine, it’s my fault.”
“First thing you do after all this time is hit me?” I asked, pretending to be offended.
Her face softened as she hugged me again. “I’ve missed you so damn much.”
“I’ve missed you too,” I said honestly. “Seeing you makes me so happy.”
We turned to face everyone, still holding hands. “I’ll explain how I survived later.”
“Okay.” Astrid nodded, trying to compose herself.
She looked at Rachel, still beaming. “No wonder you said I’d understand why you gave Snow to her once I met Mrs. Knox.
She squeezed my hand. “You knew Audrey was alive this whole time. If you’d told me, I would’ve been here days ago.”
Rachel’s lips tightened as she stared at me. “Mrs. Knox, this isn’t funny.”
“What isn’t?” I asked.
“You tell me,” Rachel said coldly. “This friend of mine was devastated when Audrey died. Of course she can’t tell the difference
between you two.”
She stepped forward. “That doesn’t give you the right to pretend you’re Audrey and mess with her emotions. Astrid’s feelings are genuine. Have you thought about how crushed she’ll be when she finds out you’re not really Audrey?”
Astrid just stared at Rachel. “Rachel, what the hell are you talking about?”
Rachel frowned and moved between us, pulling our hands apart. “Astrid, she’s fooling you! She’s not Audrey at all. She just looks like
her.”
I stared at Rachel, something cold settling in my chest.
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Chapter 327
This woman – once someone I would’ve died for was looking at me like I was a stranger. Like I was the villain here. After everything we’d been through together.
I’d literally just admitted who I was. Astrid believed me instantly. Why was Rachel fighting this so hard? Did she really not believe me, or did she just not want to?
“My wife doesn’t owe anyone an apology.” Adrian stepped up beside me, hand landing on my shoulder.
“Funny how this works,” he said. “You’ve all been hounding her, insisting she’s Audrey Sinclair. You even dragged her friend here to
test her.”
He gestured toward Astrid. “Let’s be real you didn’t come for the cat. You wanted Audrey’s bestie to ID her.”
–
“So now she says what you wanted to hear, and suddenly she’s the bad guy? Make up your minds.”
“Mr. Knox, you’re misunderstanding – “Rachel started.
“We’re done here.” Adrian cut her off, nodding toward Blake on the stretcher. “Parker saved my wife tonight. The Knox family won’t forget that.”
“We’ll settle that debt through our companies.”
He turned to me. “Let’s go.”
I nodded, too drained to argue.
As we turned away, I caught Astrid’s eye and gave her a quick blink.
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