**Audrey's POV**

I stared at Blake's bleeding palm, the deep cut making my stomach twist.

I caught Nora's eye and gave her a quick nod. She understood immediately and slipped away through the crowd.

"You must be hurting," I said quietly.

Five years ago, when I cared for Blake, I discovered one of his secret weaknesses: he hated pain. The man who seemed untouchable to the world would flinch at the smallest needle. Yet here he was,bleeding from a knife wound he'd taken for me.

Rebecca's voice cut through my thoughts.

"What is wrong with you?" she snapped, pointing at my face. "Tonight is Blake and Laurel's engagement party. You're Blake's ex-wife, already thrown out of the Parker family, yet you show up here?"

"You had to provoke Thalia into attacking you, which caused Blake to get hurt!" Rebecca continued.

She turned to Blake. "And you! What were you thinking?"

"Tonight is your engagement with Laurel! Why would you hurt yourself for this nobody?" Her voice cracked.′′Dyou know how long Laurel has been looking forward to tonight?"

She threw up her hands. "You've ruined everything! What is Laurel supposed to do now?"

On cue, Laurel, tears in her eyes, grabbed Blake's good arm, staring at his bleeding hand.

"Blake darling," she whimpered. "I don't care if the party's ruined..."

She looked up at him. "I only care about you."

I watched her tears fall, perfectly timed. She was good, I had to admit.

"Your hand... there won't be permanent damage, will there?" Laurel asked,her voice shaking. "This is your right hand -you need it for everything."

Her sobs grew louder. "If something happened to you at our engagement, I'd never forgive myself!"

Blake sighed and patted Laurel's shoulder with his good hand.

"The engagement isn't canceled," he said quietly.′′It3sjust a small cut."

He met her eyes. "I'll keep my promises to you."

Laurel threw herself against him.

"Blake darling..." she cried into his chest. "You were trying to stop Thalia from making a terrible mistake..."

She pulled back. "But the price was too high. You're the best brother..."

Blake just responded with a flat "Mmm."

He didn't explain why he'd jumped between me and that knife. His silence was agreement enough.

"So that's it'. I thought. Blake had only tried to keep his sister from committing a crime, For a moment. I'd foolishly thought he might stíll

care about me.

Nora returned with a first aid kit and handed it to me wordlessly.

I looked at the scene- Laurel clinging to Blake, crying dramatically while his hand still dripped blood. It was absurd. Everyone was admiring the "perfect couple" while no one bothered to treat his wound.

I walked over and handed the kit to Olivia.

"If his wound isn't treated soon, there really won't be an engagement tonight," I said pointedly.

My words broke the spell. Suddenly everyone remembered Blake was still bleeding.

Laurel grabbed the kit and pulled Blake to a chair. Olivia and Rebecca helped Thalia up. The crowd's attention shifted, following the Parker family's movements.

From where I stood. I could see white bone in Blake's wound. Thalia had put her full strength behind that knife.

*If not for Blake, I might not even have my two months left."

Even if he'd only acted to protect Thalia, he had saved my life.

Astrid appeared beside me, tugging my sleeve.

"Mr. Parker says it's time to go," she whispered. "Everything's ready at both the airport and garage."

She glanced toward the commotion. "With Blake hurt,everyone's distracted. This is our chance."

I looked toward William, who was sitting across the ballroom and.catching my eye, gave a slight wave with a warm smile, clearly signaling me to leave.

I bit my lip and took one last look at Blake. He sat pale-faced as Laurel pressed against him, tending his wound. She was so close that if he lowered his head, he could've kissed her forehead.

People snapped photos, capturing their moment.

I turned to Rachel, still in her wheelchair. Though her face remained blank.her eyes were fixed on Blake and Laurel with tears glistening in them.

I leaned close to her ear. "Rachel, let's go."

With Nora and Astrid flanking us, I pushed Rachel's wheelchair toward the service elevator.

We'd barely made it into the hallway when I almost ran into Ethan in a waiter's uniform.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, completely surprised.

Without a word, Ethan took the wheelchair from me and started pushing Rachel toward the elevator.

"Astrid told me about youar plan," he explained. "I know once you leave, I might never see you again."

He gave me a sad smile. "So I wanted to see you off and help. Don't forget you're sick too. A sick person helping another sick person escape won't get far,"

He hit the down button. "But with me helping, it's different. I can take

care of your friend."

He grinned. "Tle worked as a caregiver before. I'e got experlence!"

I tried keeping up with Ethan's pace but my body wouldn't cooperate.Maybe confronting Thalia had drained me more than t thought.Each step felt heavier than the last.

Despite pushing myself until I was breathless, the gap between us kopt growing.My legs felt like lead, and dizziness set in.

Ethan noticed immediatoly. He stopped the wheelchatr and rushed back to support me.

"Audrey, what's wrong?" His arm went around my waist, steadying me.

I leaned against him, struggling to breathe, "I don't thìnk I have much strength left."

I admitted, "You were right. Without you. I couldn't have gotten Rachel out on my own."

Ethan looked down at my pale face, worried,

"Audrey," he said softly, "your health is already this bad, Are you sure you still want to take your friend with you?"

I managed a nod whlle fighting to catch my breath."I'm fine."

"Just got worked up with Thalla," I added, trying to sound casual.-"Once we're in the car, I'll rest."

Deep down. I knew better. A normal person wouldn't be this wreeked from a simple argument. The fact that I could barely funetion showed how much my body had deterlorated I wasn't even half the person I used to

be.

But this only made me more determined. I had to get Rachel away from the Rose family while I could still move.

I bit my lip and forced my legs forward toward the elevator. Sweat plastered my hair to my forehead as I struggled not to show Ethan how bad it really was.

He wasn't fooled.

"Let me help," he said simply.

Before I could say anything, he picked me up and headed for the elevator.

I gasped at the sudden lift, automatically grabbing his neck for support."Ethan-"

"You're too slow," he cut me off.

After carrying me into the elevator, he set me down and wheeled Rachel in beside us.

"If they figure out what we're doing, you'll never get out." he said,hitting the close button. "So stop arguing. I'm strong enough for both of you."

He was right. At my pace, we'd have been caught before reaching the parking garage.

As the doors closed, I let out a weak laugh. "Thanks."