Chapter 43

Audrey's POV

Dr. Evans stared at me in stunned silence, her expression a mix of disbelief and professional concern. To her, I was a medical anomaly; to myself, I was simply a woman running out of time.

"Miss Sinclair," she began, her voice dropping to a serious tone. "Patients with your diagnosis require constant, expert monitoring. Your body has barely stabilized after last night’s crisis."

I gripped the edge of the hospital sheets, my voice trembling but determined. "I understand the risks, Dr. Evans, but I cannot stay here today. It's... it's a matter of my future."

"Your future depends on your survival!" She set her clipboard down with a sharp thud. "Whatever you have planned can wait. You are staying here for a full day of observation. No exceptions."

To ensure I didn't try to leave, she assigned a resident, Dr. Alexander Blackwood, to stay near my room. He positioned himself by the door, a silent guardian of my recovery, effectively ending any hope of an early discharge.

I sighed, reaching for my phone with a heavy heart. I needed to tell Blake I couldn't make it to the court. That’s when I saw his messages:

Real mature, Audrey.

And then, half an hour later:

About that call earlier. Was there actually an emergency?

A bitter smile touched my lips. It had taken him hours to even consider that my midnight call might have been a genuine plea for help. If it had been Laurel, he would have broken down the hospital doors, wouldn't he?

The phone vibrated in my hand—Blake was calling. I took a steadying breath and answered.

"Audrey, where are you?" His voice was tight with suppressed irritation. "The clerk is waiting. I’m at the courthouse."

"Blake, I'm... I'm not well. I’m at the clinic."

"Not well?" He let out a cold, skeptical breath. "Is this another—"

Before I could finish my explanation, the door to my room swung open. James walked in, carrying a cup of coffee that filled the air with a rich aroma. "Audrey, I found a place downstairs. I thought you might need the caffeine, though the doctors might complain..."

James stopped mid-sentence as he realized I was on the phone. But the silence on the other end of the line had already turned arctic.

"I see," Blake’s voice was now a lethal, frozen whisper. "So James Collins is the reason you’re too 'unwell' to show up for our legal proceedings?"

"No, Blake, that’s not it—"

"I cleared my entire morning to settle this," Blake cut me off, the dangerous edge in his voice vibrating through the speaker. "And you used that time to host guests. Consider any further discussion of our separation off the table. I'm done playing your games."

Blake's POV

I ended the call before she could offer another excuse. The interior of the car felt suffocating. "Back to the office," I told the driver.

Michael, my assistant, caught my eye in the rearview mirror. "Sir... are we leaving? Should we wait for Mrs. Parker?"

I shot him a glance that made his shoulders tense. "She’s occupied," I snapped.

I leaned back against the leather seat, closing my eyes. But all I could see was the image of James Collins comfortably at her bedside in the early morning hours. He had been at her apartment last night, and now he was at the hospital. The thought sparked a cold, sharp fury I refused to name.

"Change of plans," I said, my voice carrying a weight that brooked no questions. "Take me to Audrey’s apartment first. I need to see exactly what she’s been hiding."

Audrey's POV

"Audrey, I’m so sorry," James said, running a hand through his hair, his face filled with guilt. "Did I just make things worse?"

"It's not your fault, James," I said, leaning back into the pillows, suddenly drained of all energy.

Alexander, the resident watching the door, couldn't help but chime in. "Tough break. It sounded like you were trying to explain a genuine medical emergency, and he heard a rival's voice instead. Talk about a worst-case scenario."

James stepped forward, looking determined. "I’ll go to the Parker Group. I’ll explain everything to Blake—that you were unconscious, that I’m just helping as a friend."

"Don't bother, James." I closed my eyes, a dull throb beginning in my temples. "Blake’s ego is bruised because I didn't appear when summoned. That’s the only truth he sees right now."

I forced a faint smile to reassure him. "The divorce will happen eventually. He and Laurel have an engagement gala next week. He won't want to be legally tied to me when that happens."

"James," I added, seeing his hesitation. "You haven't slept. Go home. Dr. Blackwood will look after me."

"Call me if anything changes," James said, lingering in the doorway before finally disappearing down the hall.

Once he was gone, Alexander shifted in his chair, his curiosity finally getting the better of him. "So... is he the reason you're leaving your husband, or is your husband the reason you're with him?"

I looked toward the window, the NYC skyline blurred by the morning haze. "It’s much simpler than that, Alexander. I’m just choosing to spend my last days without the weight of a ghost."