Chapter 136
Audrey s
POV
The red dress hugged my body perfectly. Standing before the full length mirror, I barely recognized myself. The ruby embellis every movement, making the dress seem alive..
“Audrey Sinclair, I’m talking to you! Are you deal?” Thalias v
voice cut through.
gh the boutique, sharp and impatient
light with
I ignored her, smoothing the fabric over my hips. With only three months left to live, why shouldn’t be bold The vibrant red made my skin glow against my newly cut short hair.
“What, gone mute now too? she snapped, her reflection glaring at me
Rachel’s voice echoed in my me
memory: “You were born to wear red, Audery
I thought about when the Sinclairs
me their biological daughter whod been pitched at birth. They brought me home from my small
always felt them comparing me to the girl whod grown up in my place Victoria Sinclair. I never quite measured up.
Back then, I wore grays and blacks, trying to disappear in crowds. It was Rachel who dragged me into that department stoer, insisting I try on that first red dress.
“Don’t let bring raised in a small town make you feel inferint, abed said, her eyes bright with certainty
were switched at burth.”
She squeezed my shoulders as Id stood nerously in that first red dress. They prefer that fake daughter because they’re Hind: 104 not your failure?
“You should be beautiful and vibrant,” she insisted
The memory brought a bitterweet ache. Il Rachel
mom, vibrant in and rather than hid
“Hello? Earth to Andrey! Thalia’s voice grew louder, beraking through my thoughts
I turned slightly, uning a hand through my
Thalia, I asked her
short hair, and
Makes snice was firm and calm, “Dont forget, she’s attend
Thalia snorted. “Brother, she’s your ex–wife nos
She crossed b
her arms over her chest. “It’s one thing to invite her to
one thing to invite her to your ceremony tomorrow, but letting her try on something like this?” She gestured toward the red dress with obvious dispunt,
“Mr. Parker mentioned he might gift it to me if I liked it,” I remarked, my voice deliber Cly light and mocking.
Thalias jaw dropped. Brother, have you lost your mind?”
Blake gave her a blank stare. ‘It’s just a dress, Thalia.”
The most expensive one in the store!” Thalia’s voice went up an octave. “Both Laurel and I thought it was too pricey to even try on!
glared at me. “Yet she has the nerve!”
“If you really cared about your brother’s finances.” I replied, smoothing the dress, “you wouldnt shop at a boutique where everything costs five times what it should. Pretty obvious, isn’t it?”
I met her glare coolly. “You drain h his accounts every day. What right do you have to criticize me?”
Thalias face turned almost as red as my dress. “I’m his actual sister! He should spend on me!”
She jabbed a finger in my direction. You re divorced! Stop taking advantage of him!”
Laurel stepped forward with her practiced gentle voice. “Miss Sinclair, when you divorced Blake darling, you chose to leave with nothing.” She tilted her head with lake concern. I thought materal things didn’t matter to you.”
She paused dramatically. “But if they do… why act so noble during the divorce? Was it all for the cameras?”
Chapter 136
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Miss Sinclair, do you really need to be like this? Blake
Blake only tolerates these demands out of sentimentality. Anyone else would be called greedy…”
I had to admire her skill at twisting reality. She knew nothing about what Blake and I had discussed, yet could fabricate a whole narrative making me seem like I was shamelessly demanding gifts from my ex–husband.
“Actually…” A saleswoman’s hesitant voice broke through the tension. This A gentleman.
an asked her to choose a dress…”
She gestured toward Blake. She didn’t ask for anything. She just
Another staff member quickly slapped a hand over her colleague’s mouth and pulled her away
“Blake darling.” Laurel turned to Blake, her expression suddenly uncertain. “You… actively offered to buy Miss Sinclair a dress?”
Blake nodded without hesitation. “Yes. You know she’s attending tomorrow.”
Laurel paused, clearly recalculating. “Is red… appropriate for Miss Sinclair tomorrow?”
I smiled, a hint of challenge in my eyes. “Why wouldn’t it be appropriate? I think it’s perfect.”
I could see the realization hit her me in vibrant red while she wore white at her engagement. I’d steal attention just by existing. Which was exactly my plan. If Blake wanted his ex–wife at his proposal, I’d make damn sure everyone noticed me there.
Blake rubbed his temples, clearly tired of the bickering. Enough, he said firmly.
He flagged down a saleswoman. T’ll take all three dresses they’re wearing. Ring them up.”
“Right away, Mr. Parker! The saleswoman practically skipped toward the register.
“Thanks so much,” I said with mock sweetness, gathering the dress and heading to change.
Blake’s POV
We gathered at the register fifteen minutes later. Thalia kept glaring at Audrey, who stood calmly with her shopping bag. The red dress was now wrapped in tissue paper, but its presence was still causing tension.
“Laurel,” Thalia complained, pointing at Audrey’s package. “If we’d known she would have the audacity to try on the most expensive dress..
“You should’ve tried in first! You’d look way better in it than her
“I should make her hand it over so you can wear it instead?”
“Drop it,” Laurel said, her voice surprisingly firm. “That kind of bold color isn’t right for hue.
I frowned, studying her expression. “You don’t like red?”
ry surfaced clearly–Rachel’s voice from five years ago when I was blind:
A memory
don’t you like red? My sister loves red.”
“You have no idea what a vibrant girl she is. She looks especially beautiful and passionate in red”
“When your eyes heal and you can see again, I’ll definitely have her wear a red dress for your
I’d never forgotten those words. But after I regained my sight and returned to New York, Rachel had her accident. I never mentioned red dresses again..
Come to think of it. I’d never seen Laurel wear red. Not once.
She looped her arm through mine, smiling up at me. “It’s not that I hate red. I just don’t wear red clothes.”
Her eyes searched mine. “Blake darling, have you ever seen me in red?”
The question triggered something deeper, making me study her more intently, “Laurel, how much from before do you actually remember?”
Laurel tensed slightly, her eyes darting to Audrey’s shopping bag.
Chapter 136
“A lot is… gone,” she said, biting her lip and lowering her voice. “Since developing cancer, my emotions and memory… they’re not the same, Blake darling, did
I sighed, patting her head gently. “It doesn’t matter. Forget about it.”
For a split second, something cold mashed in her eyes before she lowered her head.
Chapter Commenta
