**Audrey's POV**

My fingers slid across my phone screen as I scrolled through news about the coastal highway accident. Online chatter matched what Ethan had mentioned -just a bunch of wild speculation about the couple from the accident scene.

Some claimed we were dead. Others swore they'd seen us at hospitals,clinging to life. Nobody had actual proof of anything. Just gossip piled on gossip.

I was about to exit the app when a post caught my eye. Laurel Rose had shared the accident article with a simple comment: "Rest in peace."

A cold smile formed on my lips.

*Why would Laurel be posting about some random accident in the middle of the night? She's built this image of a delicate actress who needs her beauty sleep. She never posts about anything outside entertainment gossip,but now she's suddenly invested in traffic accidents?*

*She must care deeply about this news... Is she opening champagne right now?*

I took a screenshot of Laurel's post and put my phone away. My gaze shifted to Blake, still unconscious, his face pale against the pillows. The bandage on his forehead remained clean - a good sign. I touched his forehead lightly. Still warm, but the fever was subsiding.

I settled back in my chair, a small smile playing on my lips. I wondered what Blake's reaction would be if he discovered his precious Miss Rose

was online wishing him "rest in peace."

**Laurel's POV**

I gulped down an ice-cold cola and tossed the empty can to the floor. I let out a long, satisfied burp.

"God, that feels good!"

I sprawled across my bed, grinning, my eyes bright with satisfaction.

"Even better than cola is knowing that Audrey and that college kid Ethan are gone!"

Jennifer knelt to pick up the can, her brow furrowed as she dropped it in the trash.

"Laurel, that post you made... don't you think it's inappropriate?" She crossed her arms. "Right now all those rumors about the couple being taken to the morgue are just rumors without evidence. If you're already posting 'rest in peace'... what if they're not dead? You could be accused of spreading lies."

I rolled my eyes, grabbing a bag of chips from my nightstand. "Whatever.That car was totaled, and one of the SUVs exploded. Even if they survived,they must be seriously hurt." I shoved a handful of chips into my mouth."If they turn out alive, I'll delete the post and say I was just concerned about the accident. Easy fix."

Jennifer's frown deepened. "Why not delete it now? It's late, not many people have seen it..."

I stopped chewing and looked up. "What's your problemn? I'm happy that bítch got what she deserved. I can't even celebrate without you nagging

me?"

Jennifer took a deep breath, lowering her voice. "Laurel, we don't know who those people are yet, so your post doesn't matter much now. But what if someone reveals that woman was Audrey? Think about it.You were just humiliated because of her tonight, and hours later she's in an accident and you're posting 'rest in peace'... Even if you had nothing to do with it, people will suspect you."

I felt the blood drain from my face. MIy expression hardened.

After a moment. I huffed. "That's annoying."

I grabbed my phone and deleted the post, irritation evident in every tap.Afterward. I checked my messages with Blake. Still no response since hours ago.

*I texted Blake over an hour ago, and he still hasn't replied. Is he asleep?What a shame I couldn't share the news about Audrey's possible death with him right away!*

**Blake's POV**

Light filtered through my eyelids as consciousness returned. I blinked several times, registering the familiar ceiling. My head throbbed,and confusion swirled through my mind.

*How did I end up here? Last night I had such a vivid dream. I was back on that beach from five years ago. The scene where Laurel rescued me when I was blind played over and over. I kept calling out to her, but no matter how much I called, she never answered...*

I raised a hand to my forehead, wincing when my fingers touched bandages. Memories of the previous night rushed back.

*Iremember now. Last night I was in a car crash with Audrey. In that moment, I was terrified she'd get hurt. I shielded her with my body without thinking...*

I recalled Audrey's frightened eyes looking up at me before impact.her voice shaking as she asked, "Are we... going to die?"

The memory jolted me fully awake. I sat up, ignoring the pain that shot through my head.

"Audrey!"

A tired voice responded from beside the bed. "What is it? You're awake?"

I turned to see Audrey sitting in a chair next to the bed. She straightened,stifling a yawn. "Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and exhaustion lined her face. Had she been up all night? Something tightened in my chest. My voice softened without me meaning it to.

"Why didn't you rest in one of the guest rooms?"

Audrey yawned again as she stood. "Your wound got slightly infected last night and you had a fever. I was worried your condition might worsen during the night."

I studied her tired face, feeling guilty.m a grown man. Even with a fever, nothing serious would have happened. You didn't need to stay up all night."

She shook her head. "When you had a fever, you were delirious.Someone needed to be with you. Back when you were in a coma..." She stopped abruptly,regret crossing her face.

"Sorry," she said, turning away. Her tone shifted. "You must be hungry. I'Il make you some breakfast." She walked out without looking back.

I watched her disappear, something twisting in my gut. I reached for my phone, only to find the screen shattered beyond use.

With a frown, I dragged myself out of bed. After splashing water on my face and brushing my teeth, I headed downstairs,following the smell of fresh dough.

In the kitchen. Audrey stood with her back to me, kneading dough. Her hair was pulled back, an apron tied around her waist.

"Can I borrow your phone?" I asked.

Audrey turned to face me, flour covering her hands. She lifted the edge of her apron, revealing her phone in her pocket.

My eyes instinctively dropped to her waist, then lingered on her abdomen.

"You'll have to get it yourself," she said."My hands are covered in flour."

I moved closer to get her phone. My hand brushed against her stomach as I reached for it.

The thin fabric between us did nothing to mask her body heat. My fingers lingered a second too long.

Old memories rushed back - tangled sheets, her skin against mine.The kitchen suddenly felt suffocating.

Audrey glanced up, catching me staring.

Our eyes locked.

Three years of marriage had taught us to read each other without words.

The air crackled between us.

I set her phone on the counter, my decision made before I realized it.

In one swift motion, I scooped her up and placed her on the clean countertop across the kitchen.

The cold surface made her shiver. I stepped between her knees, my thuamb tracing her bottom lip as I leaned in.

Just as our lips were about to meet, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the villa.