Chapter 137
Audrey’s POV
After we finished at the boutique, Blake took us to Parker Group’s jewelry store. Despite the tension, I helped Laurel and Thalia pick pieces for tomorrow’s
ceremony.
Blake was in an unusually good mood. He not only bought me the red dress but offered jewelry too, which I declined, I accepted the dress partly because I needed something formal, and partly out of defiance – if he wanted me at his proposal, I’d make damn sure I stood out.
By evening, I dragged my exhausted body into a taxi and headed home.
I kicked off my heels at the door and changed into soft loungewear. Every muscle ached from the days tension.
“Snow,” I called, A white ball of fluff emerged from under the sofa and trotted
over to nuzzle my ankles
I scooped him up, burying my face in his fur. “At least you’re always happy to see me.”
Setting Snow down, I grabbed water and collapsed onto my sofa. The day with Blake and the Parker women had drained me completely
At this moment, my phone rang. I reached for it, expecting Astrid checking in after my day with the Parkers. I wanted to tell her about Blake’s weird
behavior.
Instead, the screen showed B
Richard Sinclair. My biological father.
I stared at the phone, old memories surfacing. The Sinclairs nanny had a niece born around the same time as me. Seeing an opportunity, the swapped us before I was a month old, sending me to a small town while her niece Victoria took my place in the mansion.
Growing up wasn’t easy. My foster parents had heavy hands and heavier expectations. Victoria, meanwhile, enjoyed everything that should have been mine,
At seventeen, Victoria’s kidneys failed. The Sinclairs needed a family donor, and blood tests exposed the truth.
I remember the burst of hope when I learned what happened. This was my ticket out – my chance at the loving family I’d never had.
Reality hit hard. The Sinclairs might have taken me in, but they never truly accepted me. Richard, Elaine, and Victoria remained a tight unit. I was just the biological inconvenience who’d shown up too late.
During my marriage to Blake, Richard stayed distant. Only after Blake woke from his coma did Richard suddenly remember he had a daughter – now conveniently married to a business tycoon. His last call came two months ago, fishing for a partnership with Blake’s company. Every conversation was a transaction, never a check–in.
“Hello, I answered.
“Victoria keeps mentioning how long it’s been since she’s seen her sister and brother–in–law,” Richard said without greeting.
Classic Richard – straight to the point.
“Tomorrow is Victoria’s birthday. Bring Mr. Parker to celebrate, he continued, his tone leaving no room for discussion.
I put the phone on speaker and set it down. With my free hand, I picked up Snow, rubbing his plump paws.
“Also, order that cake Victoria liked from your mother’s birthday. Make it three tiers – Victoria’s inviting friends.”
When I didn’t immediately respond, his tone sharpened. “Audrey Sinclair, are you Lutening?”
Im Estening,” I replied.
“Then why aren’t you responding?” he demanded. When an elder speaks, you acknowledge them. Basic etiquette. You’ve been away from that small town for years. How have you not learned even this much!”
I rubbed my temples. “Tast time I responded while you were speaking, you told me not to interrupt my elders.”
“Now I stay quiet and
I’m your
quiet, and that’s wrong too.”
or father! You should listen to whatever I say. How dare you talk back?” Richard’s voice rose. “Is this how they raised you in that town? No respect!”
Chapter 137
en tell them about
I sighed. The Sinclairs had never liked me. While other women could confide in their parents during marital problems. I could even terminal cancer. Yet in their eyes, everything I did
“Enough,” Richard declared. “Im calling to remind you about Victoria’s birthday. Order the cake, get a gift, and bring Mr. P
Parker
As he was about to hang up, I interrupted, “Mr. Sinclair.”
I took a breath. “You remember tomorrow is Victorias birthday. Do you recall when mine 11?”
I was born two days earlier than Victoria – me on the 15th, her on the 17th. Due to our switched identities, our birthdays were reversed in official records. For seventeen years, I thought my birthday was the 17th until our identities were corrected. Though meards couldnt be changed. I started celebrating on the 15th, which is why my friends came yesterday. Victoria now celebrated on the 17th,
The Sinclairs had celebrated Victoria’s birthday on the 15th for seventeen years. After our switch, they developed selective amnesia–forgetting anyone had a birthday on the 15th, only remembering the 17th was their precious Victoria’s day.
Silence filled the line. “Your birthday…
“Oh, it was yesterday,” he finally said.
it with you happy birthday? He sounded defensive. “We’re busy. If you don’t remind us, how are we supposed to
whut, you feel ignored because we didn’t v Fremember?
I let out a cold laugh. “Is it that you can’t remember, or dont want to??
“Isn’t that the same thing? Richard dismissed. Fine. Happy birthday. Satisfied?”
He immediately pivoted back. “Now tomorrow, remember to being Mr. Park………
“Mr. Sinclair,” I cut in “Haven’t you seen the news? Blake Parker and I are divorced.”
“What kind of joke is this?”
“You and Mr. Parker? Divorced? Richard sounded genuinely shocked. “When he woke up, he promised to remember how you cared for him, that he’d never look down on you…”
“I was the one who filed for divorce,” I said coldly.
“Impossible!” Richard exclaimed. “You adored him! Even married him while he was in a coma. How could you file for divorce?”
is voice turned suspicious. You’re making excuses because you don’t want to buy Victoria a gift or bring Mr. Parker, aren’t y
Instead of arguing, I sent a news link about my divorce to Victoria’s phone. I knew she’d be listening in.
“They really are divorced!” A woman’s voice came through immediately.
you?
listening.
No surprise hearing Victoria. I’d sent the link to her instead of Richard because I knew when he called, Victoria and Elaine would be listin
Multiple voices erupted in the background: “Really divorced?”
“They actually got divorced!”
“How could this…”
“If you doubt it, theck other news sources,” I said, exhaustion creeping into my voice. “Blake Parker and I are divorced. I don’t have money for expensive cakes or gifts, so I wont be coming tomorrow.”
Before I could hang up, Richards voice sharpened. The news says you left with nothing. Is that reporters mistake, or did you want people to think not after money?”
“I did leave with nothing, I confirmed. ‘During these three years, I didnt contribute much. The money was all earned by Blake, and I don’t want what I didn’t earn.”
“How can you call that unearned? Richard practically shouted. This is what you deserve! You took care of him through his coma, changed his diapers! After he woke, you were the perfect wile! Taking his money is only fairt
“No, I still don’t believe you left with nothing. Richard said. “You must be afraid we’ll ask for money! I’m calling Blake Parker right n
now to ask how much you
