**Blake's POV**

I watched as she frowned, staring at me without a hint of fear. "Are you here for revenge because I hit your sister?"

She pulled up her phone, showing me archived files. "I have proof Thalia's been targeting Astrid for months."

She opened her email and played a video. "When I saw them in the boutique, I contacted the store for security footage."

"We both know Parker influence runs deep in New York. You can cover things up. But don't forget, the Australian Parkers and Knox Corporation aren't exactly powerless."

"If you come after me for today, I'll release everything-all the videos, all the evidence of your sister's bullying. The world will see what the Parker heiress really does with her time."

She held my gaze without flinching. "The power behind me is more than capable of following through."

Watching her stand her ground like a cornered cat with raised hackles.I couldn't help the slight curve of my lips.

She'd finally learned to protect herself.

Even if Thalia hadn't called me. I already knew exactly what had happened. The bodyguards I assigned a month ago had kept me informed of Audrey's every move.

When I got the news about her enacounter with Thalia and Olivia, I was

trying on wedding attire with Rachel. I'd brought Rachel to the mall entrance and asked her to go upstairs to intervene.

I didn't send my men to protect Audrey when Thalia called security because I knew how hard she'd been training in Australia. I knew her capabilities better than anyone. That's why I wasn't worried, why I didn't follow Rachel upstairs.

During our marriage, I always used the "she's your sister-in-law" excuse to make Audrey tolerate Thalia and Olivia's behavior. I even forced her to apologize to them.

Only after she left did I learn how badly they'd treated her. What I heard was secondhand, fragments of the truth. I know I didn't get the full picture of what she endured.

I punished them by sending them to that school abroad, but that was my retribution, not hers. She was the one who suffered. Only by exacting her own revenge could she truly counter the pain they caused her.

She finally noticed my silence and the hint of a smile I couldn't hide."Mr.Parker,you-"

"Driver," I cut her off, quickly composing my expression. "Take us to Northern Care Facility."

"The care facility?" she asked, surprise replacing her defensive posture.

"You hit a Parker family member. Shouldn't you apologize?" I turned toward the window, voice deliberately cold. "My grandfather's at Northern Care. I'm taking you to apologize to him in person."

She also turned away, staring out her window. "Fine. I want to see what kind of elder in the Parker family raised such an entitled brat."

Her defiance caught me off guard. From my angle, I could only see the back of her head, but I sensed her subtle satisfaction.

I looked away, unable to stop the slight upturn of my lips.

Even with this new identity and improved physical condition.she remained herself at core - the same gentle, kind-hearted woman who still felt deep affection for my grandfather.

The only difference was her newfound strength and independence.She could finally stand on her own.

This was good. I couldn't give her happiness anymore-my disability saw to that. Let her find joy with another man. As long as she lived better than she had with me, I'd be content.

**Audrey's POV**

I stopped at the facility's shop before entering the main building. My hands instinctively reached for William's preferred supplements and snacks - things I'd bought him dozens of times before.

The quiet hum of an electric wheelchair approached. Blake was being wheeled in by the driver, his dark eyes scanning my selections.

His eyebrow arched coldly. "Wrong items, Mrs. Knox."

I froze mid-reach. What was he talking about? These were-exactly what William loved!

"Several things you're holding - my grandfather dislikes them. He's allergic," Blake said, eyes narrowing.

He motioned to the driver, who took the Items from my hands and

replaced them with others.

"Pay for these," Blake instructed.

I stared at the replacements, anger rising in my chest. I'd been gone ten months, and William had gotten so sick that Blake - his owngrandson-still didn't know his preferences?

The items I'd chosen were treats William used to sneak at midnight.Now Blake was replacing them with things William barely touched!

For someone who claimed to honor family above all else, he knew nothing about the old man.

When I didn't move, Blake frowned."Pay for them."

I reluctantly handed over my card, took the bags, and walked out. Behind me, Blake's wheelchair hummed as he followed.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Parker!" staff members called as we passed.

The facility's layout required walking nearly a mile along a shaded path to reach the residential building. Since motorized vehicles weren't allowed except for emergencies. I had to walk while Blake followed in his chair.

The soft whirr of his wheelchair motor and the sound of wheels on pavement filled the silence. Five years ago, I would have dreamed of walking a path with Blake, even in silence, finding romance in simply being near him.

Now that same proximity made my skín crawl. I quickened my pace,desperate to put distance between us.

But his electric wheelchair easlly kept pace, No matter how fast I walked,

he maintained the same distance - not too close, not too far - like a shadow I couldn't shake.

"Watch out!"

His shout broke through my thoughts just as his wheelchair crashed into me from behind. I felI forward, shopping bags scattering across the path.

Pain and anger flared as I pushed myself up, ready to confront him.Then I saw what had happened.

An automated trash cart had overturned. garbage strewn everywhere.Blake's wheelchair had tipped, throwing him into the mess. He was covered in food waste, his immaculate suit ruined.

He'd crashed into me to save me from the runaway cart. If he hadn't,I would've been the one covered in garbage.

His quick thinking had changed the cart's direction. Though I'd fallen.neitherI nor the gifts were soiled.

Warmth rushed through me as I hurried to help him.

"Stay back!" he commanded sharply.

He lay awkwardly among the trash, struggling to push himself up."You didn't bring extra clothes. If you get covered in garbage, are you planning to visit my grandfather smelling like trash?"

I hesitated, then frowned. "That doesn't matter. I can go back,change,come back later..."

William was right here. A delay of an hour or two wouldn't hurt. But Blake - proud CEO of Parker Group - was lying in garbage, What if

someone saw him like this?

"Think I have all day like you do?" Blake glared. "I don't always have time to bring you here."

"How much more of my time are you going to waste?"

I froze."I-"

"Drop the act," he cut me off coldly. "Seeing a Parker in trouble -shouldn't you be celebrating? Why fake kindness?"

My eyebrows knotted tight. I was just trying to help him, and this was how he took it?

"Fine. I'll wait for you to get up on your own," I said, stepping back with a sharp laugh.

I gathered the scattered gift boxes and took them to a nearby bench.

With the packages safely collected, I pulled out my phone and pretended to be busy while secretly watching him.