Chapter 35
Audrey cut in, “Clayton, if you’re here to talk about getting divorced, you’ve got five minutes. If not, move
“You’re divorcing me over something this small?” Clayton’s patience finally snapped, and his voice rose. “Tell me what it take for you to forgive me
Audrey shoved past him with the trash in hand and headed downstairs. “It’s small to you because you weren’t the forgive you.”
hurt. Just divorce me and I’ll
Clayton took the trash bag from her and stepped into the elevator with her. “Audrey, I seriously didn’t know about all that shady stuff going on at Ashwood Mental Hospital
“Leo only came at you like that because he was misled by Vally’s words. And she didn’t even mean to Leo just sees everything through a filthy lens because his own heart’s a sewer.”
Audrey hit the button for the first floor and said nothing, but she thought, ‘Everything’s laid out in plain sight, and he still wants to lie to himself “Leo’s not projecting because he’s a dirtbag. It’s because he knows all about side–chick tricks and clocked Valene’s game from a mile away! Clayton kept trying to explain, but Audrey stayed silent. Frustrated, he braced a hand against the elevator wall, leaning in. “Audrey”
The second he moved closer, Audrey dipped down and stepped back, dodging his arm.
Secing the empty space where she’d been just a second ago, he froze, the emptiness hitting him hard in his chest. His eyes quickly drifted to his wrist Clayton explained as he turned toward her, “When I want to the hospital for a scan, I took off that braided chain bracelet and handed it to Wally to hold temporarily.
“I didn’t gift it to her. I already ordered her the same bracelet. Once the engraving’s done, I’ll get back the one you gave me.”
Audrey scoffed, “Clayton, once I give you something, it’s yours. You can give it away or throw it out if you want. I really don’t care.”
“How could you not care? You engraved that bracelet yourself for me,” Clayton said, and after that, the elevator fell into silence.
He wasn’t wrong. That braided chain bracelet had been hand–engraved by Audrey. Her fingers had been covered in cuts from the carving knife during that time, and he’d even told Carson to bring her some ointment.
Carson had teased him back then and said he was finally learning how to care about someone.
Clayton thought, ‘I was too careless. I should’ve taken the bracelet back right after the checkup
The elevator reached the first floor. Audrey stepped out just as Calvin came in from getting breakfast.
I brought you some bergstew,” Calvin said, lifting the takeout container with a grin.
“Nice,” Audrey replied with a small smile.
That smile hit Clayton like a gut punch. He yanked Audrey by the wrist and dragged her aside. “Who is he? Why the hell is he buying you breakfast?”
He’d grabbed her with the hand that had a healing fracture, so Audrey easily shook him off.
She sneered, “You brought someone else’s wife and kid into your home to take care of them and you think that’s okay. But now you’ve got a problem with him grabbing me breakfast?”
Clayton froze, a mess of sharp, tangled emotions jamming up in his chest.
He threw out the trash and walked back gyer to Audrey. “It’s not the same. My family owes Vally more than we can ever repay. I have a responsibility to look after her. But that guy’s clearly got bad intentions”
10
Audrey shot back, “Clayton, just because you act like a jerk doesn’t mean everyone else does”
The weight in his chest tightened. The very words he’d used to try and comfort her were now thrown right back at him and they sounded all wrong. coming from her.
“It’s Monday tomorrow. If you don’t sign the divorce papers by then, I’ll have my lawyer take it to court” Audrey turned and started walking back to her
apartment.
Clayton rushed up and grabbed her by the shoulder. “Til sign–but I’ve got one condition.”
“Go ahead,” Audrey said.
“Go to my parents‘ place with me today.” Clayton paused for a second. Then he added, “Let’s explain everything to Wyatt and Alexa. I promise I won’t let them treat you badly.”
Audrey shrugged off his hand, gave him a cold look, and repeated, “You want me to go to your parents place with you, and then you’ll sign the divorce papers tomorrow? Are you sure about that?”
Clayton had never planned on actually getting a divorce. He just wanted to bring Audrey home and stand up for her in front of his whole family.
He figured that as long as she understood how he felt, that he still loved her and would never leave her for Vally or anyone else, she’d be moved and give up on the divorce,
But Audrey’s eyes were too piercing. Clayton worried she might see right through him, so he lowered his head and mumbled, “Yeah.”
“Alright. I’m trusting you one last time,” Audrey said.
Clayton’s chest fightened all of a sudden, an uneasy feeling creeping in before he could stop it.
But he believed that as long as he was sincere enough, he could win Audrey back. He thought that even if he’d played a small trick or two, she would understand.
Audrey told him to wait downstairs while she went up to change.
Inside the apartment, Calvin was checking the surveillance footage from the elevator when he heard a knock. He quickly shut off his phone and went to the door. “Coming.”
Audrey stood outside. She’d changed into jeans and a loose white shirt, still carrying the same backpack.
“Let’s eat first. The food’s getting cold,” Calvin said, stepping aside to let her in.
Audrey didn’t move. She stayed at the threshold and stared at him as if she could see right through him. It made Calvin shift uncomfortably.
“How did you know I like beef stew?” she asked.
Calvin rubbed the back of his neck. “I guessed.”
“Really?” Audrey gave a dry laugh. “Well, you guessed wrong. I stopped liking it two years ago.” With that, she turned and walked away
Calvin wanted to chase after her, but then something crossed his mind. He rushed back inside, grabbed his phone, and dialed a number. “Sir, Ms
Henderson knows..”
The Patel family lived in a neighborhood surrounded by families with deep political tigs
If Clayton had followed John’s plan, he’d be holding down a desk job at a government agency by now.
His car rolled through the gates and stopped in front of Patel Manor
Chapter 35
Before getting out, Audrey adjusted the necklace around her
A housekeeper came out to greet them, smiling as she accepted the gift box Clayton had prepared at arrived. Mr. John Patel has a meeting but will be back shoilly”
time
Wyatt Patal and his family just
After saying that, she pave a complicated look to Audrey as she stepped out of the car.
Clayton gave a small nod and waited for Audrey to take his arm, but she didn’t even glance his way and walked straight through the frent dost frowned and followed her in.
“Mom, Wyatt, Alexa,” Clayton greeted as soon as he stepped inside.
Then he g quickly reached out and grabbed Audrey’s arms, pulling her close to his side in a clear show of support
Clayton said, “Wyatt, Alexa, I brought Audrey here to apologize. She lost her temper when she slapped Puley, and she’s promised me it won’t happen again.”
Audrey turned her head to look at him, thinking. ‘This is what he calls standing up for me? I never admitted I was wrong, and I sure as hell never promised anything”
Clayton knew she’d be upset by what he’d just said, and his arm tightened around her shoulders. He figured he’d just speak up for her after Wyatt and
Alexa cooled off
Wyatt was by the window on the phone. It wasn’t clear whether he’d heard Clayton, but he just v
twaved at him and kept talking.
Lillian sat on the couch with Wyatt’s wife, Alexa Patel. They were admiring a pair of pearl earrings Alexa had just bought for her. Neither of them spared Audrey so much as a glance.
Audrey scoffed, thinking. They’re trying to put me in my place the second I walk through the door. Fine. I’ll let it slide for the sake of that signed divorce agreement Clayton promised.’
Seeing his family ignore her, Clayton started to feel embarrassed. He repeated himself, and only then did Alexa finally look up at him. “Apologize?” she sneered. “With the way she’s strutting in here, I thought she was here to pick a fight.”
E
