**Blake's POV*

I stood in the villa's garden. phone pressed to my ear.

"How do you know there were deaths in last night's car accident?" I asked,keeping my voice steady.

"I saw it online," Laurel replied. "People said they saw the mortuary van take two bodies away from the beach."

She sighed into the phone. "I wonder if they've identified those poor souls yet. Their families must be devastated, not knowing what happened."

I frowned, staring at the garden wall.

"What do you think their final thoughts were?" she continued."Dying alone on that beach in the dark..."

"Laurel," I cut in,"why are you so interested in this accident?"

A pause. "Blake darling, remember four years ago? My sister Rachel Hayes had her accident at night too. No one found her until morning, and by then..."

My eyes closed briefly. If she had been talking about strangers, I might have believed her concern was genuine. But the accident was no accident-and the supposed victims were Audrey and me.

*How do I reconcile this? Five years ago, she rescued me when I was blind,caring for me with endless patience. Four years ago, when Rachel died,she knelt before her parents for days, blaming herself. Three years ago,discovering her cancer, she left quietly to spare me pain."

*This gentle, selfless woman I've known - how could she be the same person who sent men to kill Audrey? Who's now calling to confirm we're dead?*

*Yet the evidence is right in front of me.*

"Those people have nothing to do with us," I finally said. "No need to waste time on strangers."

"Blake darling, how can helping be a waste?" Her voice sharpened with urgency. "What if these people are connected to-" She stopped abruptly. "I mean. their families must be worried. I just want to show some kindness."

"Then have your people handle it," I replied, disappointment settling in my chest. "Contact Michael if you need help. I'm not interested."

"But I thought we could do this together-"

"You know I'm busy with the jewelry company launch," I cut her off."Focus on your own work. Stay out of news that doesn't concern you."

I hung up and turned back toward the villa.

Inside, Audrey and Michael sat at the dining table, both eating noodles.

Their conversation stopped when I entered.

"Ms. Sinclair, these are the best noodles I've had in years!" Michael was saying.between eager bites. "I've seen you make breakfast before,but had no idea it would taste this good!"

Audrey smiled slightly. "If you really like them, I could make them for you again sometime."

"You mean I could have this again? I'd-"

"Talking while eating?" I interrupted from the doorway. "Your mouth never stops, does it?"

Michael froze, then quickly stood, offering his seat. I raised an eyebrow and sat across from Audrey.

Looking at mycold noodles, I frowned.

"Want me to heat that up?" Audrey asked.

I pushed the bowl toward her without a word. She stared at me, lips pressed tight.

"What?" I asked.

After a moment, she gave a small, dismissive smile. "Nothing."

She took my bowl, then noticed Michael's empty one. "Still hungry? There's more if you'd like."

"Thank you, Ms. Sinclair," Michael said, handing her his bowl.

As Audrey walked to the kitchen, I caught Michael watching her with undisguised admiration. Before I could stop myself, I rapped him on the head with my knuckles.

"Sir?" Michael turned, startled.

"Can't serve yourself?" I asked coldly. "Since when do you have the authority to order her around?"

"I'm not ordering anyone," Audrey said, returning with the steaming bowls."Michael and I are friends."

She set the noodles down. "When friends help each other, it's not about

commands. We're equals."

She turned to Michael, smiling. "Eat up. There's plenty more."

"Thank you, Ms. Sinclair," Michael replied,clearly uncomfortable.

"'Ms. Sinclair' sounds so formal," Audrey said. "You can call me Audrey.like my other friends do."

I narrowed my eyes as she returned to the kitchen, leaving Michael caught between loyalty to me and his new "friendship" with my ex-wife.

When she was gone, Michael cleared his throat. "Sir... when Miss Rose called, was she explaining about the studio?"

"No," I said, still watching the kitchen doorway. "She said she saw news about last night's accident victims. She wanted me to help identify the bodies so their families could find closure."

Michael's spoon stopped midway to his mouth. "Miss Rose is... certainly compassionate."

"Compassionate?" I laughed coldly."I'd think so too, if I hadn't almost become one of those bodies she's so concerned about."

Michael's hand froze, shock spreading across his face.Before he could respond, Audrey returned, placing my reheated noodles in front of me.

**Audrey's POV*

I put Blake's noodles in front of him, noticing the sudden silence between the men. Whatever they'd been discussing had clearly ended with my return.

Watching them eat, I sald,′′Dr. Everett said Mr. Parker's Iniuries waran!

serious. The wound should heal once the fevor breaka. Now that Michnol's hena I should get golng."

have an important meeting today with executives from our partner company. It's already past seven, and I still need to prepare."

Blake looked up sharply,"Mnhore do you think you're going?"

His eyes were cold, "Don't forget, to the world, you're already dead."

I froze."1."

The doorbell rang, cutting me off. Then a famlllar voice called out.

"Blake darling! Open up! It's mel"

The three of us froze.

Michael and I exchanged looks, then we both turned to Blake.

He set down his chopstlcks. "I didn't invite her."

"Then how did she find this place?" I challenged. "Michael sald this villa Is so private thateven I never knew about it. How would she know where to come unless you told her?"

Blake had hung up with Laurel half an hour ago, and now she was at tho door. The timing was suspicious.

"This place is private. not invisible," he sald. "Somoone dotermlned could track it down."

He looked at mo."Thero's a hidden room behind the painting at the end of the upstalrs hallway, Code 0628. If you don't want to be seen, go now."

I frowned, hating the idea of hiding but understanding why I needed to.

"You really didn't tell her to come?" I asked after a moment.

Blake gave me a cold look. "You never believe me anyway, so why ask?"

He turned to Michael. "Open the door."

"Yes,sir."

Michael headed for the entrance while I reluctantly went upstairs.

I found the painting Blake mentioned at the end of the hallway.Lifting the frame revealed a door with a keypad.

As I punched in 0628, my heart skipped.

That date... it was when I rescued Blake from the beach five years ago!

I steadied myself against the wall, suddenly dizzy.

That familiar feeling hit me again. The villa's decor, and now this code...

Everything pointed to what happened between Blake and me five years ago.

"Blake darling, what took so long? I've been waiting forever!" Laurel's voice floated up from downstairs, breaking my trance.

I took a deep breath, stepped into the hidden room, and pulled the door shut. The painting frame fell back into place with a thud.