**Audrey's POV**

"Mr. Parker and Miss Rose need engagement rings for their ceremony,"Michael said through the phone. "The deadline's tight since they're getting engaged next week. He wants you to refine the women's ring from your collection and create a matching men's ring in three days."

I sucked in a sharp breath, too stunned to respond immediately.

Blake Parker wanted me to design his and Laurel's engagement rings?

Was this some kind of sick joke?

Sure,we had a business arrangement for jewelry design, but I was his ex-wife. Having your former spouse design the rings for you and your new flame was beyond inappropriate.

"Miss Sinclair?" Michael hesitated. "I think Mr. Parker has his reasons. His engagement will be highly publicized - having your designs featured would be excellent promotion for your work."

I couldn't help but laugh coldly. "So I should thank my considerate ex-husband for advertising my work at his engagement to another woman?"

I set my phone down and closed my eyes, trying to calm down. Then I picked up my phone and found Blake's contact. Opening our message thread, memories crashed over me like waves.

This same thread where I'd once sent daily messages. Reminders about cutting back on coffee and cigarettes. Updates about dinner waiting at home. Videos of Snow doing something cute. Gentle requests for him to

drink less at business dinners and come home early.

His responses had been minimal when they came at all. An occasional"ok′′or "noted."

*Those days feel like another lifetime now*, I thought. I could barely recognize that version of myself - the woman who had persistently sought Blake's attention without reciprocation. How had I maintained that one-sided effort for three whole years?

I took a deep breath and typed: "Can someone else design your engagement rings?"

The message bounced back with a red exclamation mark: "Not Delivered."

I tried again with the same result, then dialed his number directly. The call went straight to voicemail without ringing.

"You've reached Blake Parker's voicemail..."

I hung up with a bitter smile.

Blake Parker, CEO of a major corporation, wouldn't have his phone off or be missing calls. There was only one explanation for undelivered messages and calls going straight to voicemail.

*He blocked my number.*

It made sense. He'd announced his engagement to Laurel, so cutting contact with his ex-wife was logical. But I just felt this was utterly absurd.Since he was so afraid of being harassed by me, then why on earth didn't he draw a clear and complete line? Why did he still ask me to design the engagement ring for him?

I sent Michael a voice message: "Tell Blake that since he doesn't want to hear from me, we should keep our distance. I won't design the rings. Find someone else."

I tossed my phone on the bed and headed to the bathroom. Standing under the hot shower, I let the water wash over me while my heart felt increasingly cold.

Now I understood why Blake agreed to send Rachel's photos last night but had Michael deliver them today. He'd already cut off all direct contact.

Good. That's how it should be. I should have severed ties with him long ago.

**Blake's POV**

Michael walked in with a file from Original Studio and placed it on my desk.

"The latest from George, sir," he said. "Miss Sinclair made some revisions but hasn't finished everything. The ring designs are complete though."

I pulled out Audrey's jewelry sketches and examined them carefully. The designs were stunning - elegant yet distinctive, sophisticated without being flashy. Each piece had character.

I couldn't help but marveI that these exquisite designs came from Audrey Sinclair. The same woman who had lived beside me for three years,managing our home and repeating the same concerns daily.

I'd always assumed her world revolved around domestic life with no aspirations beyond being my wife. How wrong I'd been. Only after she left did I begin to see how completely I'd misunderstood her dedication.

As I studied the delicate lines of her designs, Michael cleared his throat.

"Sir," he said, holding up his phone. "Miss Sinclair has a message for you."

He played a voice message:"Tell Blake that since he doesn't want to hear from me, we should keep our distance. I won't design the rings. Find someone else."

I couldn't help but smile slightly, picturing the fire in her eyes as she recorded those words.

"Should we find another designer?" Michael asked carefully.

I gathered the sketches, my expression cooling. "No."

"Tell her that featuring her designs as our engagement rings is part of her work's promotional plan. If she refuses, our partnership with Original Studio becomes unnecessary."

I looked directly at Michael. "A professional designer doesn't pick and choose clients. If she can't handle designing rings for her ex-husband and his fiancée, maybe she should quit design and go back to homemaking.She was quite good at that."

Michael shifted uncomfortably. "Anything else, sir?"

"No," I replied, returning to my papers. As he turned to leave, I added without looking up: "Relay my exact words to Audrey Sinclair."

**Audrey's POV*k

"Blake actually said that?" I asked, gripping my phone. "That I should go back to being a housewife?"

I paced my apartment, anger building with each step. "He's good at

spinning things, isn't he? All this talk about promoting my jewelry - we both know what this is really about."

*It's about pleasing Laurel and humiliating me. If he truly wanted to promote my work, there are countless other ways. Would he ride in a garbage truck to his engagement to promote Parker Group's waste management division? Of course not.*

"Miss Sinclair," Michael said carefully. "I know this design means a lot to you.Having your work showcased at such a high-profile event could lead to more commissions.Don't miss this opportunity."

I stopped pacing and took a deep breath. Michael was right about one thing - this project was important. With my limited time left, seeing my designs come to life mattered more than my pride.

"Fine, Michael. I'll do it."

I could almost hear his relief through the phone.

"But I have a condition," I added. "I want fo attend the engagement ceremony."

"I don't just want to attend," I continued with resolve in my voice.""Iwant to be the person assigned to care for Rachel Hayes during the ceremony."

Michael was quiet for a beat. "I'll run this by Mr. Parker."

The line went dead.

I stared at my phone, the abrupt end to our conversation leaving me in tense silence. If Blake was determined to use me to impress Laurel, I'd make it worth my while.

Rachel would be at the engagement ceremony. As her caretaker, I'd have those precious moments with her that I'd been denied for years. I could tell her about everything that had happened, whisper all the things I'd saved up to say. And most importantly - I could say a proper goodbye.

For that chance, I'd design not just engagement rings but whatever the hell Blake wanted.

I pressed the phone to my chest, my pulse quickening as I waited.I had no illusions about the gamble I was taking. Blake could easily say no.

He held all the cards here.

I paced my apartment, checking my phone every few seconds. Minutes stretched like hours.

When it finally rang, I nearly dropped it in my rush to answer.

"Wel1?" I couldn't keep the tension from my voice.

"He agreed," Michael said simply.