Chapter 438
Audrey’s POV
I twisted free from the distracted guards and stumbled back several steps.
Thalia lunged at me but caught nothing but air – I’d already moved out of reach.
Astrid rushed from the elevator, grabbed my arm and pulled me behind her, shielding me with her body.
Audrey! You okay?” Her voice was tight with worry.
I never expected Astrid to find me here. After all the crap she took from Thalia while I was gone, she still rushed in first, protecting me with her slender frame.
Maybe I wasn’t a complete disaster with relationships after all.
At least I had Astrid – someone who actually gave a damn about me.
Thalia’s face turned an ugly shade of purple beneath the swelling. “Astrid Wilson! Ruining my day again?” She spat the words out. “Forgotten what it felt like when my people pelted you with rotten eggs? Because I haven’t.”
She stepped forward. “I can make everyone hate you all over again. Think I’m bluffing?”
Astrid didn’t flinch. A cold smile spread across her face. “Is that so?”
Without warning, Astrid slapped Thalia’s already swollen cheek. The sound echoed down the corridor as Thalia’s head snapped to the side.
For a moment, nobody moved. Then something dangerous flickered in Thalia’s eyes
–
a bloodthirsty rage that sent chills down my spine.
“You’ll pay for that,” she hissed, touching her cheek. “Both of you!”
She turned to the security guards. “Don’t just stand there! Grab them! NOW!”
Her voice rose. “The old man’s dead! Blake’s in a coma! I run this family now I’ll destroy you two bitches!”
The guards exchanged uncomfortable glances before slowly moving toward us.
–
‘Astrid, get behind me,” I said quietly.
‘Just wait,’ she whispered, checking her watch. “Where is he…?”
The elevator doors opened again. Henry Hartford stepped out, flanked by four men in black suits who made the hospital security look like mall cops. The hallway’s energy immediately shifted as Henry’s men formed a barrier between us and the guards.
Henry walked directly to Astrid. “You’re not hurt?”
‘I’m fine,’ she answered, straightening up.
She nodded toward Thalia. “Though she’s seen better days.”
Henry turned to me. “You did this?” He gestured toward Thalia’s swollen face.
I couldn’t help my satisfied smile. ‘For William. For Blake. My eyes flashed. “And a few slaps for the woman I used to be.”
Henry’s mouth quirked up. “None for your best friend?”
1/4
Chapter 438
“I handled that a long time ago,’ I replied, glancing coldly at Thalia.
Henry approached Thalia, who backed away despite her earlier threats. His gaze was clinical like he was examining a bug.
“You hurt someone who matters to me,” he said quietly. “That comes with consequences.”
He moved closer, forcing her to look up at him. I left you alone before because I didn’t know everything you’d done, and you were Blake’s sister.”
His voice hardened. ‘Now I know what you did. And I know you’re not really Blake’s sister.”
The color drained from Thalia’s face. She stumbled backward until she hit the wall.
“Take her, Henry said.
His men grabbed Thalia’s arms. She struggled uselessly against their grip.
“Mom!” Thalia cried out, panic in her eyes. “Mom, help me!”
Rebecca stayed on the floor, still muttering to herself, lost in her broken reality.
“Elizabeth! Olivia! Help!” Thalia’s voice cracked.
Elizabeth, who’d been watching from a distance, took Olivia’s arm. “Let’s pay our respects to your grandfather,” she said quietly.
–
“But Thalia Olivia began.
“Now,” Elizabeth cut her off, pulling her daughter away.
Thalia’s face crumpled watching her last hope disappear down the hall.
“Astrid, Henry said, his tone softer. “Want to handle this yourself, or should my men take care of it?”
To my surprise, Astrid looked confused.
“Handle what?” she asked.
I stared at her. This wasn’t the Astrid I knew the one who never forgot a score to settle.
“Payback,” I said. “For everything she did to you? The public humiliation, the sabotage…”
Astrid looked genuinely confused. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Something was wrong. I moved closer, studying her face. “Astrid, did you lose your memory?”
Panic flickered across her features before she looked away. ‘No idea what you mean.”
‘Since you’re here now,” she continued, her voice strangely formal, “and Evelyn’s fine, I should go.”
‘Astrid…’ I grabbed her wrist, “Where are you going?”
She pulled away. “It’s lunchtime. My fiancé’s waiting.”
‘Fiancé?” The word felt wrong in my mouth.
“Thanks for today,” she said, ignoring my question. “Evelyn’s in good hands.”
2/4
Chapter 438
She walked to the elevator, pausing only to give Henry one last look before the doors closed.
This isn’t right. Something’s seriously wrong.
I knew Astrid better than anyone. She was impulsive and blunt, but fiercely loyal and never forgot a grudge. This woman who just passed up revenge against Thalia couldn’t be my Astrid.
“What’s happening?” I asked Henry. “What’s wrong with her?
Henry watched the elevator numbers descending. “Maybe she doesn’t need me fighting her battles anymore.”
He turned to me. “When Thalia went after her, she hid it from me. Suffered in silence rather than asking for help. Now we’re enemies she definitely wouldn’t want anything from me.”
That made some sense, but it still felt off. Astrid not wanting Henry’s help was one thing, but not caring about payback? That wasn’t my friend.
And this fiancé’ business – Astrid never mentioned being engaged, especially not to someone from Europe. That wasn’t something she’d hide from me or from her parents.
None of it added up.
“If… if Astrid doesn’t want revenge,” Thalia stammered, “then you should let me go, right?”
Henry turned to her, expression darkening. He gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“By that logic, I should,” he said softly. “She doesn’t need me settling scores.”
Thalia nodded frantically.
In one move, Henry’s hand went to her throat, tightening just enough to make her gasp. “But her declining doesn’t mean I am.”
I stepped forward, concerned. Henry caught my movement and released his grip.
Thalia collapsed, coughing.
“Get her out of here, Henry told his men. “Make sure she understands what happens when you cross me.”
They dragged her toward the stairwell, her pleas fading as the door closed.
The hallway fell silent except for Rebecca’s muttering.
‘Not possible… impossible… how could he… all these years…”
Henry looked at her curiously. “What’s her problem?’
I glanced at Rebecca with cold detachment. Her faith shattered.”
‘She thought she was the only Parker with secrets,” I explained. “Never imagined Leo had his own.”
I watched Rebecca rock back and forth. She knew she hid Blake’s true parentage, but never considered Leo was hiding something too.”
‘Blake isn’t Rebecca’s biological son, but he is Leo’s. Thalia, on the other hand…” I paused, feeling satisfaction at revealing this truth. “She’s not Leo’s daughter at all.’
“All these years, Rebecca believed her daughter was Leo’s. Truth is, Thalia has zero blood connection to the Parker family.”
3/4
Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO
