**Audrey's POV*k

Ethan shook his head. "Don't mention it."

His gaze drifted to Rachel, curiosity in his eyes. "I didn't know vegetative patients could keep their eyes open like this. I always figured they just laid in bed with their eyes closed."

I shifted my weight. "It's not like that. Think of her as a complete person trapped in a shell. She can see everything, hear everything,but can't control her body or speak."

Rachel's eyes stayed fixed on me. There was something in her gaze I couldn't quite read - a mixture of guilt and tenderness that made my chest tighten.

"So they're basically prisoners in their own bodies," Ethan said. "That's rough."

"Yeah," I reached out and gently stroked Rachel's hair. "My friend here never had it easy. Even before becoming like this, she was unhappy. And afterward, she's been kept hidden away by people who don't even like her."

I swallowed hard. "That's why I want to take her away while I'm still alive.Give her freedom."

Rachel struggled to lift her head at my words. Her eyes filled with tears that spilled silently down her cheeks.

The elevator pinged as we reached the parking garage. Ethan crouched

down tn front of mo.

"Hop on, I'll carry you,"

I healtated before wrapping my arms around his neck. He lifted me effortlessly whlle grabbing the handles of Rachel's wheelchair,

As he carrled me through the garage. I couldn't help noticing the contrast between us. 'The onergy radiating from his strong movements made my woakness all the more apparent. I was only a few years older than him.but while he moved with the vitality of' youth, I was already fading away.

"Is that the car?" Ethan nodded toward a sleek vehicle near the exít.

I spotted the famlllar figure leaning against It. "Yeah, that's it."

Felix hurried over as soon as he saw us, opening the passenger door. His eyes widoned at the sight of Ethan carrying me.

"What happened?" he asked, concern in his voice.

"Long story," Ethan said. "They need to get moving. You can talk on the way."

He pushed Rachel's wheelchalr toward Fellx. "Take her. I've gotAudrey."

Felix took the wheelchair and headed to the car. When Ethan set me down on the backseat. I realized Fellx had modified the car for our escape.He'd removed the rear seats, creating space for Rachel's wheelchair.

I settled in the spaclous rear compartment, holding onto Rachel's wheelchalr for stability. Through the open door. I looked at Ethan standing there, his face solern in the dim light.

"Goodbye," I said, raising my free hand.

"Audrey," Ethan called,his voice suddenly rough.

He opened his mouth but seemed to struggle with what to say. Finally,he managed a smile. "Take care of yourself. Be happy wherever you end up."

I felt my expression soften. I understood what he meant-this was truly goodbye,"Iwill," I promised. "You take care too."

He nodded and gently closed the car door.

"What's with all the drama?" Felix asked as he slid behind the wheel. "You're just smuggling a vegetative patient out of the country,not saying goodbye forever."

He caught my eye in the rearview mirror.′′YOou're not planning to come back,are you?"

"No," I said quietly.

Felix shrugged and started the engine. "That's fine. Astrid and I can always visit you abroad."

I smlled faintly but stayed quiet. There was no point explaining that by the time they arranged such a visit, I'd likely be gone.

The car pulled out of the parking garage and Into the night

**Blake's POV**

My hand throbbed beneath the bandage as I waited backstage. The engagement ceremony was proceeding despite the earlier chaos. I scanned the crowd. spotting my grandfather sitting calmly in the front row.

"Sir)" Michael called out.

"Miss!" the Rose family butler shouted at the same time.

They both rushed backstage, approaching from different directions.Michael quickly pulled me asíde.

"Felix Thompson has picked up Miss Sinclair and Miss Hayes," he reported quietly. "They're heading to the airport now. Our team is following."

I frowned, glancing toward my grandfather. "What about the airport?" I asked.

"The private jet purchased under Charles's name has filed a flight plan,"Michael leaned closer. "The destination is a visa-free country,quite far from here."

I raised an eyebrow. Three days ago, when my grandfather unexpectedly agreed to attend the engagement, I'd sensed something was off.My investigation revealed unusual movements in his accounts and a private jet purchase through his butler's name.

I'd thought Audrey might be planning a trip, but taking Rachel with her?That complicated things.

"Don't intervene yet," I told Michael. "Have our people stay back but keep watching."

Glancing at Laurel, who was talking to her butler, I lowered my voice."When they reach the airport, detain them discreetly. Don't let that plane take off."

The Rose famlly had full custody of Rachel. If Audrey took her from the country without authorization...

*Is she trying to get herself charged with kidnapping?* I thought. *This could ruin her life.*

Michael nodded and hurried away, already making calls.

**Laurel's POV*k

"They're on their way," our butler whispered. "Sinclair and your sister have left the building. Our men are following them. What are your orders?"

I considered the options. "There's a stretch of road near the airport where the surveillance cameras are down for maintenance. Tell our people to stay close. When they reach that blind spot, I want Audrey Sinclair and Rachel to die in a car accident. Both of them, together."

The butler's lips curved upward. "Yes, Miss Rose. The men I've selected won't disappoint you."

As he slipped away, I took a deep breath and composed my features.I buried any trace of hatred behind a mask of innocence before turning to Blake.

"Blake darling," I asked sweetly, "what did Michael want? Everything okay?"

"Company business," he said, frowning as he watched our butler leave."What did your butler want? Shouldn't he be helping with the ceremony?"

I laughed lightly. "Nothing important. Just a message from Mother about the rings. She wanted to make sure I didn't forget them."

I offered Blake the small velvet box containing our engagement rings.using the moment to move closer to him. "Blake darling, it's almost time,Shall we?"

Blake took my hand. His grip was firm but distracted.

The host was already going wild, babbling about our incredible journey and unbreakable bond with the crowd. When he spotted us, he cranked up the volume even more.

"Look everyone! Here they are!" he shouted into the microphone. "Tonight's golden couple has arrived!"

The room exploded with applause. All these people cheering for us,not one of them giving a thought to Blake's ex-wife or the knife incident from minutes ago. Just like that, Audrey Sinclair was erased, forgotten.

"And now, the exchange of rings!" the host announced, right on cue.

This was the moment we'd prepared for. Blake's PR team had made sure every reporter knew to focus on the supposedly incredible rings when the box opened. All those cameras pointed at us, ready to capture what they'd been told would be "breathtaking" designs.

Blake lifted the lid of the velvet box.

My heart stopped.

Instead of the custom rings Audrey designed, two plastic toy rings with fake dliamonds sat on the velvet cushion.

The ballroom went completely silent.