**Blake's POV*

I noticed Laurel's smile suddenly freeze on her face, but my mind was too preoccupied with Audrey's whereabouts to think much of it.

Laurel quickly collected herself, offering an awkward laugh. "Sinclair said it s getting late," she replied with a forced smile. "And as an outsider, she didn't want to join our family dinner," Laurel continued. "She mentioned wanting to meet her dear Ethan for dinner instead..."

"Audrey said that?" I frowned.

"Yes..." Laurel nodded, looking down. "That's what Sinclair said."

"How did she leave? Did someone pick her up?"

Laurel hesitated. "Sinclair took off her shoes and left barefoot."

"What?" I stood up sharply. "That's crazy!"

*These roads are dangerous at night. What was she thinking? The nearest

bus stop is miles away, and taxis rarely come out here unless called.*

"Did she say where exactly she was going?"

"Just that she was meeting Ethan. I figured she had a ride arranged."

I grabbed my jacket from the chair and headed for the door.

"Blake darling!" Laurel called, jumping up. "Where are you going? We haven't had dinner yet."

I paused at the doorway,glancing at the darkening sky.′′Awoman

walking alone at night isn't safe."

Laurel caught my arm. "But what if someone's already picking her up?She must have a way back."

When I didn't respond, she pressed harder. "Nora's almost done with dinner.She made special dishes just for you tonight."

She lowered her voice. "Nora's over fifty. She went through all this trouble.Wouldn't it be rude to leave without even trying her food?"

Scarlett joined in from her seat. "Blake, please stay. Let's have dinner, just the three of us!"

"It's just thirty minutes," she added. "If something were to happen to Sinclair, what are the odds it would be during those exact thirty minutes?"

Her comment had the opposite effect. I felt my concern deepen as I remembered a news alert grandfather had forwarded me just yesterday-there had been wolf sightings in this area recently.

I pulled away from Laurel's grip. "I'll try Nora's cooking next time.I need to find Audrey."

"Blake darling!" Laurel shot her mother an annoyed look before chasing after me. "Let me come with you. I feel responsible for Sinclair leaving alone..."

As we approached the door, a voice called from the kitchen.

"Dinner's almost ready! Are you leaving?" Nora appeared, wiping her hands on her apron.

The smell of roasted meat and herbs filled the air, making me realize I

hadn't eaten since lunch.

*Audrey probably hasn't eaten either.*

"I have something urgent to handle," I told Nora. "Could you pack the food to go?"

Nora brightened. "Of course!"

She hurried back to the kitchen, and I followed to the doorway. Inside.steaming dishes covered the counter as she wrashed out a thermal container.

"Should I pack for one person or two?" she asked.

"Two,please."

Nora smiled knowingly as she transferred food. "Taking our Miss Rose somewhere special? Too romantic to wait for dinner!"

Laurel stepped in before I could answer. "It's not a date. Blake has something urgent to handle and can't eat with Mom and me."

She took the packed container from Nora, her voice softening. "I'll carry this. You have more *important things* to do."

I pulled her aside, lowering my voice. "I'm not deliberately avoiding dinner with you."

"The suburbs are dangerous at night. If something happens to Audrey, we're both responsible."

Laurel sniffled but forced a small smile.′′It2sokay, Blake darling."

"She's your ex-wife. It's natural you'd worry about her."

She bit her lip. "But I'm partly to blame. If I'd stopped her from leaving,you wouldn't be so worried..."

Her eyes were pleading. "So please, let mne make it up to you. Let me come along to help find her."

I hesitated, then nodded, taking her hand. "Alright."

Laurel had told me Audrey left on foot. By now, she shouldn't have gotten far.

Yet after driving five or six kilometers with Laurel beside me, I hadn't spotted Audrey anywhere.

"Maybe Sinclair called someone to pick her up?" Laurel leaned toward the window, squinting into the darkness. "There's no way she walked this far by herself."

She turned to me as I tried Audrey's number again. "Still can't get through?1

I frowned at the screen. "No signal."

We were in a cellular dead zone. The thought of Audrey walking alone in this darkness with no way to call for help made my stomach tighten.

"I'm sure she got picked up by someone," Laurel said. "She couldn't have walked this far alone."

She turned toward me. "Remember she mentioned Ethan? I bet he came to get her."

"Blake darling," Laurel yawned. "Since we can't find her... should we head back?"

"At least Twilight Mansion has cell reception. We could try contacting her from there, or get someone else to help look..."

"Better than driving around blindly, right?"

I didn't answer, continuing to drive slowly. The longer we went without finding her, the more worried I became.

After another thirty minutes of searching, I tried her phone again. To my surprise, it started ringing.

"Hello?" A male voice answered.

I felt my body tense.

"Who is this?" I asked.

"Mr. Parker? Is that you?" The voice perked up. "It's Ethan Davies!"

My grip tightened on the steering wheel as he continued cheerfully."Are you looking for Audrey? She's in the shower right now. I can have her call you back when she's done."

"Where are you?" I managed, jaw clenched.

"We're at a hotel in the old town district," he replied. "It's called Paris Night."

"Fine," I said coldly, and hung up.

I threw the phone against the dashboard.

*Well done, Audrey Sinclair!*

Here I was, driving around in the dark looking for her, worried sickthat

she might have been hurt or attacked. Yet all this time, she was at a hotel with that college student.

**Laurel's POV**

I couldn't help the flash of satisfaction when I saw Blake's face turn ashen.

Quickly hiding my excitement, I leaned over to pick up his phone from the

floor. "Well, at least we know Sinclair is okay."

I handed the phone back, faking a relieved sigh. "Blake darling, I was worried sick this whole time."

"Finally I can breathe again!"

"She should've just told us someone was coming for her," I said, shaking my head. "Why let us think she was walking alone in the dark?"

"I've been beating myself up thinking it was my fault..."

I glanced at my watch and softened my voice. "Blake darling, I promised Mom I'd spend the night at Twilight Mansion..."

I grabbed his arm, making my voice sweet and pleading. "It's pretty late.Could you take me back now?"

My coming along to search for Audrey wasn't just out of concern.

I needed to keep an eye on them both. No way was I letting Blake and Audrey have some midnight rendezvous.

Plus, I needed a backup plan if we didn't find her.

The late hour made for a perfect excuse to have Blake drive me home.

And once he dropped me off at the mansion...with a little persuasion,I might convince him to stay.

After that, even that stubborn old William Parker couldn't stand in our way anymore!

Blake sat quiet beside me for what felt like forever before finally taking a deep breath. "I'll take you back."