**Blake's POV**

"Why not?" Audrey's voice was barely a whisper.

I scanned her face,unmoved.′′It2s late. How would I explain bringing you to Laurel?"

"You could say we ran into each other," she suggested.

"Really?" I laughed, walkcing toward my car. "You think Laurel would buy that? That at midnight, I randomly bumped into you and decided to bring you to see her sister?"

I turned to face her. "She's not well. Emotional stress makes it worse."

"What, you want me to handle two upset women alone?"

Audrey went pale. After a moment of silence, she tried again. "Could you at least tell me Rachel's address? I could visit another time..."

"No." I cut her off. "Rachel being alive is something only the Rose family and I know about."

"If I tell you tonight and you show up there later, how could I face them?What would that say about me?"

"I'd be careful," she said quietly.′′NOone would notice me."

I examined her thin frame, frowning. "The Roses are powerful. If they've hidden Rachel, they've posted security. How exactly would you sneak past theirguards undetected? What makes you think you could pull that off?"

"Let's go." I said, checking my watch. "It's already 10:30."

"This area's too remote. I'll drive you back."

She hesitated. "I have the taxi driver's card -"

Then she stopped mid-sentence.

"Actually," she said, taking a breath, "I'd appreciate the ride. Thank you.Mr.Parker."

I looked at her, surprised she'd accepted so easily. This wasn't like her at all.

"Shall we?" she asked with a strained smile, walking past me.

I watched her walk away, something about her quick compliance feeling off,but I had more pressing concerns.

At my car, I opened the passenger door out of habit. Instead of taking the front seat, Audrey smiled slightly and slid into the back. I stood there for a second, oddly bothered by this small rejection, before closing the door and getting behind the wheel.

My phone buzzed with Laurel's message as I started the engine. I frowned at the screen.

*Rachel Hayes is at Twilight Mansion?*

I stared at the address, suddenly understanding. Twilight Mansion was where Scarlett Rose supposedly went for "recovery" weekends. The place had sparked rumors that she kept a young lover there.

*That's why they never denied those rumors. The secret they protected was bigger-they were hiding a daughter the world thought was dead."

I'd visited Twilight Mansion several times recently. Never once did I

suspect Rachel was in that building.

"Blake, aren't we going?"

I looked up to see Audrey leaning forward, clearly trying to glimpse my phone. I locked it immediately and tucked it into my jacket.

"I'll take you to the Manhattan crossroads," I said, putting the car in drive."You can get a cab from there."

"Fine," she said, her mouth tightening slightly.

As we drove away from Pinehaven Village, darkness enveloped us. It was 11 PM, and the rural roads were pitch black. Looking at the darkness outside, I called Michael and ordered him to meet us at the crossroads to take Audrey home. It was too late for a woman to wait alone for a taxi,regardless of our strained relationship.

**Audrey's POV**

While Blake talked to Michael, I slipped my phone from my pocket.activated location tracking, and wedged it into the gap between the seats where it wouldn't be spotted.

"Thanks," I said after he hung up. "Since you won't take me there...could you do me a favor?"

He glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "What favor?"

"If you're thinking I'll smuggle you in. forget it."

"No. nothing like that," I said with an awkward laugh.

I took a deep breath.′′Ihaven't seen Rachel in so long. Four years since the accident..."

I couldn't hide my sadness. "I don't know what four years as a vegetative patient has done to her..."

"Could you take some photos of her for me?"

His hands tightened on the wheel. "You want pictures of Rachel Hayes?"

"Yes."

"You've taken care of me," he said, his voice lower. "You should know after lying in bed for months, faces change. Muscles sag."

"That was just me after half a year. Rachel's been there four years."

He paused. "She won't look good."

′′Itdoesn't matter," I said through the ache in my chest. "She's my friend.I won't care how she looks."

"I just want to see her, to know she's been properly cared for."

I gazed into the darkness. "Just seeing her once, even if I died the next moment, I could accept that."

The car screeched to a halt, throwing me forward. Blake turned around,eyes flashing with anger.

"What the hell are you talking about? There's nothing wrong with you,and you won't die!"

"Rachel wasn't even a vegetative patient when you supposedly knew her.Why are you saying these things? You think I'll believe you knew Rachel?That this isn't just to cause problems between me and Laurel?"

I looked at his anger and smlled sadly. "You're right."

*Why argue? He won't believe me no matter what I say.*

"Since you don't think I knew Rachel before," I said, "maybe you could take photos so I can get to know her through pictures."

"Without them, I might never meet her in this lifetime."

Blake stared at me, completely baffled.

"You're nuts," he finally said, restarting the car. "What's with all this death talk at your age?"

I turned to the window with a bitter smile."Blake," I said softly.

He kept driving, ignoring me.

"You reminded me I'm still young," I continued anyway.

*I met him in the bloom of youth, loved him five years, but it feels like a lifetime. Now my brief existence is ending.*

"You should see a shrink," he said, gripping the wheel.

"Maybe you're right."

He pressed harder on the accelerator, clearly wanting this trip to end.

"Blake," I said. "If one day... I suddenly died,would you feel even a tiny bit of heartache for me?"

The veins in his forearms stood out. His lips pressed into a line,but he said nothing.

A tear slid down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly.

"What was I expecting? He never loved me alive. Why would he care if I

died?*

Michael was waiting at the Manhattan crossroads when we pulled up. He opened my door immediately.

"Miss Sinclair, ready to go?"

I hesitated, looking toward the driver's seat.

"I'll take those photos," Blake said without turning. "Go home now."

Relief washed through me. I nodded and got out.

Before closing the door, I checked that my phone was hidden from view.

Since Blake wouldn't tell mne where Rachel was, I'd have to find out myself.

The luxury car drove off as soon as I shut the door.

"This way, Miss Sinclair," Michael said. "I'll take you home."

I nodded and followed him to his car.

As we drove away, Michael stifled a yawn. "How did you and Mr. Parker end up together so late?"

I looked down at my hands, smiling slightly. "Would you believe me if I said Blake was following me?"