**Blake's POV**

The rotten meat hit my chest with a wet splat, sliding down my clean suit before landing on my leg.

Michael froze beside me, eyes wide. He knew about my cleanliness issues.Recovering quickly, he picked up the meat and tossed it away.

"Sir.....

I glanced at Rebecca sitting in the garbage pile.

"Find an empty room. I need a shower and another suit," I said evenly."Get a room for her too. Buy some clothes."

Without waiting, I activated my wheelchair and moved away.

"Blake Parker!" Rebecca's voice followed me."Do you have any conscience?

Your mother's being bullied and you're justleaving?"

I stopped and turned around, laughing coldly.

"Mrs. Parker, do you really think of me as your son?"

Her face paled.

"Three years ago, when I woke from my vegetative state, I told you that even though I didn't like Audrey, she married me during my worst time and took care of me. I said as long as she didn't want divorce, I'd maintain our marriage. I asked you to accept her, not make things difficult.1

"And what happened? How many awful things have you and Thalia done

to her?"

"That burn on Audrey's body - If you hadn't mentloned it. I'd never have known how it appeared. Compared to what you did to her, what you're experiencing now is nothing."

"Mrs. Parker, If you have the energy, find a place to shower and change. If someone sees you sitting in garbage cursing at people and takes pictures.your precious reputation will collapse."

I pressed thebutton on my wheelchair and left her behind.

**Rebecca's POV*

I stared at Blake's retreating figure, mouth hanging open. How dare he!

I grabbed garbage and threw it toward the path, though he was aready gone.

*That ungrateful child! Since Audrey supposedly died, he's treated me like an enemy. Me! His mother! It's all because of that woman. Even dead, she's still poisoning my son against me.*

"Mrs. Parker."

Victoria approached me carefully.′′P1lease don't be angry. Mr. Parker must be under that Audrey woman's spell. Let's get you cleaned up first, then figure out what to do."

"Though you're Richard and Elaine's adopted daughter, you're much better than their biological daughter Audrey," I said, brushing off garbage."I don't understand how such proper people could produce someone so manipulative that she bewitched Blake and even our patrlarch."

Victoria's face lit up with my praise. "Thank you! The Sinclairs gave me the best education. I'm naturally more refined than Audrey."

She leaned closer. "I heard Blake and Rachel's marriage is just for show,for Mr. William's sake. If you really like me, maybe after it's over.you could help me get closer to Blake?"

I saw the naked ambition in her eyes and felt disgusted. *This woman dreams of marrying Blake! Even Audrey had proper bloodlines,but Victoria? Her real parents were nobodies - a gambler and a thief. How could our family ever accept someone with such inferior breeding?*

Still,she could be useful. I patted her hand. "You're a good girl,Victoria.Help me deal with this Audrey lookalike, drive her out of New York,and I'Il make sure Blake marries you. I'm his mother - he can't refuse me."

"Great!" Victoria's eyes brightened. "I'll definitely help you!"

Walking toward the shower room, she frowned. "But is that woman really Audrey Sinclair?"

I considered it, then shook my head. "No. She just resembles her."

The real Audrey lacked this woman's confidence and physical abilities. In three years, Thalia and I bullied Audrey countless times, and she never fought back. She'd never have dared hit me.

"If she were Audrey, she'd be easier to handle."

Victoria curled her lips, leaning close. "I actually have a way..."

**Audrey's POV**

After wandering the grounds for ten minutes, I headed toward William's

building. My heart raced, but I deliberately slowed down, pretending this was my first visit.

Inside, I was bursting with excitement. I wanted to run straight to William's bedside, hold his hand, and tell him everything that had happened these past months.

At reception, I asked for his room number, keeping may voice even. Once I had directions, I hurried to the elevator and pressed his floor button.

As the elevator climbed, my anxiety grew. What would I say to him?Would he blame me for disappearing so long?

I followed the room numbers down the corridor but stopped when I heard Charles's voice.

"When washing Mr. Parker's body, you must adjust the water temperature properly!" he was scolding a maid. "If the water gets cold. get a fresh basin!Now he's caught a chill because of your carelessness. If he doesn't make it to the young Mr. Parker's wedding, can you live with that?"

My heart sank. Had William's health deteriorated so much that a simple chill could threaten his life?

"I didn't mean to!" The maid wiped tears from her eyes. "He kept harassing me, so I rushed and didn't check the temperature."

Charles's face darkened. "What nonsense! Mr. Parker is elderly and weak.How could he possibly harass you?"

"Not that kind of harassment," she sobbed. "He kept holding my hand,calling me Audrey over and over."

"I told him I wasn't Audrey, but he Insisted, asking when I came back.

why there was no news, saying everyone claimed I was dead but he knew better." Her voice trembled. "He said I was too resilient to die easily."

"I couldn't deal with it, so I rushed and used cold water." She sniffled."I didn't know it could endanger his life."

I couldn't stop my tears. William's condition had deteriorated to where he couldn't recognize people, yet he still thought of me.He still believed I'd return, that I wouldn't have died so easily.

Ten months ago, I hadn't believed I would survive. But William, with no blood relation to me, had never doubted. Even in his final days, he was waiting for me, mistaking others for me.

"Alright," Charles sighed. "You can go. I'll watch Mr.Parker."

The maid wiped her tears, bowed to Charles, and turned to leave.

When she saw me by the elevator, she jumped back like she'd seen a ghost.

"Oh my God!" Her face went whte. "You - you're dead!"

"You know me?" I asked, confused. I didn't remember seeing her during my visits with William.

"I've seen your photo!" Her voice shook. "Mr. Parker keeps it next to his bed. You're that woman who died last year!"

Before I could answer, Charles snapped from behind her, "This is a care facility! Stop screaming!"

The maid stepped aside, pointing at me. "Look who's here!"

Charles turned, his eyes finding mine. Unlike the maid, he showed no surprise.

"Mrs. Sinclair," he said simply. "You're back? Mr. Parker has been waiting."

His calm reaction threw me. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand."Charles, aren't you going to ask who I really am?"

Anyone else would be shocked seeing someone who'd been dead for months. Even this maid who only knew me from photos was terrified. Yet Charles acted like I'd just returned from vacation.

"I know exactly who you are." A tired smile crossed his face. "Should I call you Miss Knox now? Or Mrs. Knox?"

I let out a breath. "So you know everything."

"What about William?" I asked.