**Audrey's POV*

Dr. Clarke stroked his beard and nodded. "That's right. Someone's been deliberately keeping her this way."

"If we stop the drugs, could she wake up?" I asked, hope building in my chest.

"Yes, theoretically," he said. "But after four years, the drug buildup is substantial. Even after stopping, it might take two weeks before she regains consciousness."

His expression softened. "Though based on her recent tests,the concentration is already decreasing. She might wake sooner than we expect."

"That's amazing!" The news hit me like electricity. I nearly jumped off the bed.

*I'd convinced myself Rachel would be like Blake - permanently damaged.That I'd never see her awake in the short time I have left. But now... now there's a real chance!"

I caught myself touching my face, checking my reflection in the window glass.

*I'm so thin now, but still somewhat normal-looking. When Rachel wakes.I should still be here. Still be me.*

Felix noticed my thoughts instantly.""Ifyou want her to see you healthy,you should follow your treatment plan. Eat more. Put on some weight.Your friend would prefer seelng you at your best."

I nodded with determination.

Dr. Clarke settled into a chair. "So her mother's been caring for her all this time? Did they have some serious conflict I should know about?"

I shook my head. "No. not at all."

*Other Roses might hate Rachel, but Scarlett? She just neglected her.Nothing like Jonathan or Laurel with their open hostility. She never deliberately hurt Rachel like they did.*

"Then I don't understand. For a mother to drug her own daughter like this for four years... keeping her trapped in her own body..." His voice trailed off in disbelief.

Felix snapped his fingers and pulled out his phone. "Wait,maybe this explains it."

He showed us a video from Blake and Laurel's engagement. On screen.Scarlett Rose rushed onto the stage, hair wild, grabbing Laurel's arm.

"Your sister is missing!" Scarlett's voice trembled. "You have to help find her! She still has your secrets -we can't let her disappear!"

Felix paused the video. "Scarlett mentioned Rachel knowing Laurel's secrets. Could that be why she's been kept drugged all this time?"

"That's ridiculous," Dr. Clarke started.

"No," I cut in. "She absolutely would."

*As Rachel's best friend, I know too well how Scarlett operates. She's always felt she and Rachel somehow wronged Laurel. In their household,Laurel always came first - best clothes, best attention, best love. If Scarlett

thought Rachel threatened Laurel somehow... of course she'd choose Laurel.

I rubbed my fingers across my hand. *But what secrets? Rachel never mentioned anything about Laurel to me.*

The next day, Dr. Evans came to visit.

"Audrey," she said after brief small talk, "remember the client who shared medical records with you? She's asking for your help one last time."

I raised an eyebrow. "She still hasn't toldher boyfriend the truth?"

Dr. Evans sighed. "The decision is completely yours. Initially I encouraged you to help because I wanted her connections to bring Dr. Clarke here for your treatment. But now you're already under his care, and..."

She hesitated. "His team doesn't have promising options for your condition.You're free to refuse."

I studied her face. "You really need me to help, don't you?"

"Her family is the largest shareholder of Mayo Clinic," Dr. Evans admitted,looking down. "I wouldn't ask if I had any other choice. But we won't force you."

I took a deep breath. "When do we go?"

After informing Dr. Clarke and Felix, I went to Rachel's room. She lay still as ever, her nurse keeping watch.

"Her condition is slightly better," the nurse whispered. "But the drug isn't clearing as quickly as we'd hoped. Dr. Clarke thinks it could take a month."

I squeezed Rachel's hand, "I'll be gone a few days," I said softly. "When 1

come back, maybe I'll hear your voice."

I hugged her gently, then straightened to find Dr. Evans watching from the doorway, unexpected tears in her eyes.

"Let's go." I said. She quickly wiped her face and nodded.

After disguising me carefully, Dr. Evans led me to a waiting van. Half an hour later, we arrived at Mayo Clinic, where I was settled into a basement room,connected to medical equipment for the "performance" ahead.

**Laurel's POV**

On Mayo Clinic's third floor, I prepared for my own performance.

I lay back against the pillows, phone pressed to my ear. "Blake darling." I whispered, making my voice weak and fragile,"Ithink I'm dying...could you come see me?"

"If you're sick, see a doctor," Blake replied flatly. "I don't treat illnesses."

My hand froze. My face darkened instantly.

*What the hell? In four years, he's never spoken to me like this.Since coming back from Europe with my "terminal illness," he's given me everything I've asked for. One fake attack and he'd practically carry me to the hospital himself, terrified of losing his precious savior.*

*But now? He's still out there with rescue crews searching for Audrey!"

Hatred burned through me. "Why does he still care about Audrey when she's DEAD? Why? I claimed the title of his savior, I've done everything right! Why would he still have feelings for her?*

"Blake darling," I forced my voice to sound even more pathetic."Γve seen

doctors... but they say my emotions are too unstable. I need someone who can calm me down..."

"Scarlett should be home," he interrupted. "I don't have time. Call her instead."

The line went dead.

I stared at the phone in disbelief before hurling it against the floor with a satisfying CRASH. The pieces scattered across the tiles, just like my composure.

**Scarlett's POV**

I burst into the room at the sound. "Laurel! What's wrong?"

She whipped around, face red with anger. "What's wrong? Are you serious right now?"

"Blake's out searching for that bitch's body instead of seeing me!" She yanked at the tubes attached to her arm. "Look at me playing sick, and he couldn't care less!"

She snatched my phone and punched in a number. "Dr. Evans, do me a favor. Send her latest data to Blake. Tell him I'm critical."

"Right away," came the quick reply.

Laurel tossed my phone back. "I refuse to lose to a corpse."

I stared at the phone, pieces clicking together. "The medical data you're having sent to Blake... it's from..."

Andrew had mentioned... the woman helping fake Laurel's illness,providing her medical data was Audrey Sinclair.

"Duh," Laurel rolled her eyes. "Terminal cancer. Dumped by her husband.Conveniently my age. She gets treatment resources, I get her data. Win-win."

"Evans brought her in today for real-time monitoring," she added with a smirk. "I almost went to check her out, but why bother?"

"Broke,abandoned, probably pathetic. She'd just latch onto me next."

Her eyes narrowed. "What's with all the questions?"

I couldn't move.

*Laurel just said... Dr. Evans brought her to the hospital?*

*Audrey Sinclair is alive? She's here? In this building?*

My fingers went numb around the phone.

*If Audrey survived, then Rachel... My Rachel could be...*

"I need to find Evans," I managed, barely hearing my own voice.

*Rachel, my baby. You're alive, aren't you?*