Chapter 412
Audrey’s POV
In the living room, everyone’s expression had turned grim.
“Audrey,” James said, ‘Aren’t you going after Adrian? He’s got the wrong idea about all of us.”
I shook my head. “No point. He needs to cool off first.”
I get why he freaked out about Emma’s kidnapping. But she’s safe now. Why is he still acting like this?
“Mrs. Knox.”
I turned to see one of the doctors, looking nervous.
“Got a minute?” he asked, glancing in the direction Adrian had gone. “Mr. Parker’s awake. He’s asking for you.”
The doctor lowered his voice. “After what I just heard from Mr. Knox, I wasn’t sure if… you’d be able to see him?”
‘Of course I am,’ I said firmly. “Blake saved my daughter. I’d be heartless not to see him.”
Relief washed over his face as he led me down the hallway.
I stepped into the room. Blake was propped up in bed, skin ghostly against the white sheets, his right arm heavily bandaged. He was watching something on a tablet – Rachel’s interview outside their wedding venue.
He looked up, face brightening. “You came.”
I moved closer. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” he said with a weak smile. “Just some surface wounds, nothing deep.”
I sat down, studying his face. What a ridiculous lie. I’d watched the doctors treat him. The gash in his arm went clear to the bone wounds I’d ever seen. Yet here he was, downplaying everything.
“Blake. My fingers twisted in my lap. “Thank you for what you did for Emma today.”
one of the most horrific
He started to shake his head. “You don’t – ”
“I know exactly how bad your injuries are, so don’t pretend otherwise, I cut him off. “And I know about your legs too that they were damaged because of me on Long Island.”
He stiffened. “Who told you that?”
‘Does it matter if it was Michael or Jett? I leaned forward. “Blake, I need you to stop doing these things for me.”
‘Audrey –
“There’s nothing between us anymore. I don’t want to owe you anything.” I forced myself to keep going. “You and I live in different worlds now. We can’t keep getting tangled in each other’s lives.”
He swallowed hard. “Everything I’ve done, I owed you. You don’t need to feel grateful.”
“I hurt you so much before. I just wanted to make it right somehow. Never meant to burden you.”
Chapter 412
‘Blake, I interrupted. “You just saved my daughter, so maybe this isn’t the time for this.”
I took a deep breath. “But you know about the history between your parents and my adoptive parents. William told me everything about the feud between the New York and Australian Parkers.”
He nodded slowly.
“I don’t want any connection with you anymore. I’m not Audrey Sinclair now.” My voice grew firmer. And I don’t want my adoptive parents to get the wrong
idea about me.”
“The doctors say your condition isn’t permanent. You could walk again with therapy.”
‘You’ve saved Emma and me twice now. So I’ll stay in New York until you’ve recovered from these wounds and can leave that wheelchair. I met his gaze directly. I hope you’ll commit to recovery so Emma and I can go back to Sydney sooner.”
His face fell. I’ll do my best.”
I stood to leave, my emotions a tangled mess. Blake looked utterly defeated, his shoulders slumped. This wasn’t the satisfaction I once imagined feeling seeing Blake Parker brought low.
I walked toward the door. I’d almost reached it when his voice stopped me.
“Audrey…
I paused but didn’t turn.
“I’m sorry,” he said roughly.
My chest tightened. “You have nothing to apologize for. But I hope you won’t do this again,” I added, “No more playing hero for me.”
I just worry about you,” he insisted.
“I don’t need your worry,” I shot back. “When I had nothing, when your family treated me like dirt, you never once protected me.”
I shook my head. “It’s too late, Blake. If you’d shown this concern when I was still Audrey Sinclair, maybe things would’ve been different.”
I stepped through the doorway and closed it firmly behind me, leaning against it for a moment.
Blake’s POV
I stared at the closed door, her final words echoing in my head.
Too late.
Those two words summed up everything with Audrey. I’d realized my feelings too late. I’d discovered Laurel’s lies too late. I’d learned how to be decent too late.
Always too late.
I picked up the tablet again, mechanically scrolling through news about the kidnapping.
I was examining a blurry security image when the door creaked open. I looked up, half-hoping Audrey had returned.
Instead, a small head peeked around the edge.
“Uncle Blake? Can Emma come in?” came a whispered voice.
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Chapter 412
I couldn’t help smiling. “Sure.”
Emma tiptoed in, carefully balancing a small plate as she approached my bed.
*Emma brought you apples,’ she announced, presenting the plate with neatly arranged slices. ‘Uncle, Emma made this for you!”
I took the plate, touched. “Thank you.”
She beamed, watching as I took a bite.
“It’s very sweet,” I told her.
Her face lit up. “Uncle likes it! This is Emma’s first time making fruit plate. You’re very lucky!”
She climbed onto the chair Audrey had left, her little legs swinging. “Auntie Astrid was worried about me using knife, so she gave me a really dull one. I had to push so hard!”
I chuckled, taking another bite. “It’s perfect.”
“It is sweet, right?” She helped herself to a piece. “Handsome uncle, if you like it, Emma can cut more for you later, okay?”
I glanced toward the door. “Does your dad know you’re here?”
“Nope!” she answered cheerfully. “Daddy is fighting with Mommy and Auntie Astrid outside. He’s making phone calls and being angry.”
She leaned closer. “I sneaked back when he wasn’t looking! I saw Auntie Astrid cutting fruit for the doctors, so I decided to make some for you too!”
“Uncle Blake,” she said suddenly, her expression serious. “I’m sorry I didn’t like you before.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“When you saved me today,” she continued earnestly, “you were so brave! You’re the coolest, handsomest man ever – even better than Daddy!”
*Really?” I couldn’t help but smile.
“Really!” She nodded hard. “Daddy is scary when he’s mad…”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Emma was so scared when he yelled at Auntie Astrid.”
Before I could respond, raised voices filtered through the door.
*Emma? Where are you?” Adrian’s voice, sharp with tension.
“Audrey, where has Emma gone now?” His volume increased. “Is this how you mother her? Letting her disappear twice in one day?”
I quickly put a finger to my lips, and Emma nodded, eyes wide.
“Adrian,” came Audrey’s voice, level but edged. “This is Thompson mansion. Emma can’t possibly disappear here. Find her properly before jumping to conclusions.”
“Besides,” she continued, “you were holding her when she disappeared. She was with you the whole time. You took a phone call and she wandered off. How is that my fault?”
“Of course it’s your fault!” Adrian snapped back.
DIVOICE me before Deal Takes ME, LEU
