**Audrey's POV*

"Damn right I'm happy. Teaching entitled brats a lesson would put anyone in a good mood." I spotted a maple leaf on the path and picked it up,twirling it between my fingers as I walked.

"Let me guess - you're calling to make me apologize to your family?"

"Well I won't. I hit them and I'm not sorry about it. If Parker Group wants to come after me or Knox Corporation because of it, bring it on."

The line went quiet before Blake finally spoke. "I never said anything about retaliation."

I kept walking, sunlight filtering through the leaf in my hand.

"Mrs. Knox," Blake sounded tired."They're all demanding I make you pay.Rachel and I have been trying to calm them down. After causing this much trouble, don't you think you should say something?"

I stopped dead in my tracks. "Wait - you're not asking me to apologize to them?"

"I saw the security footage. They cornered you first. Why would I ask you to apologize?"

I couldn't hide my surprise.

"Do you really think I can't tell who's in the wrong?" Blake asked.

I wanted to say yes, that's exactly what I thought. For three years,he'd never once taken my side against his family. But I bitmy tongue.

"No. of course not." I lied.′′Ijust assumed since they're your family,you'd automatically take their side."

"I'm not holding you responsible for what happened," he said. "But there seems to be a misunderstanding between you and Rachel."

"I'd like to invite you and Mr. Knox to dinner tomorrow night. Partly to smooth things over between you two."

"And I want you to show Rachel how to care for my grandfather."

"What?" I nearly crushed the leaf in my hand.

My mind raced. Why would he ask me to teach someone else how to care for William? Anyone with basic human decency could figure out how to keep an elderly man company. Besides. William was Blake's grandfather -shouldn't he know what the old man needed?

But then I pictured William in that hospital bed, confused and alone,thinking his beloved Audrey had abandoned him. My chest tightened.

"Fine. Adrian gets in tomorrow morning.We'll come together."

I hung up without waiting for his response and kept walking.

**Blake's POV**

I stared at the security monitor as the dial tone buzzed in my ear. She stood motionless for a moment after hanging up, then wiped her face. Was she crying? Or just brushing something away?

She started walking again, faster now, toward the main gate. The lightness in her steps was gone.

I'd killed her good mood.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Blake?" Rachel sounded exhausted."I calmed down Elizabeth and Olivia,but your mother and Thalia are still demanding blood."

I kept my eyes on the screen, watching Audrey shrink into the distance.

"They look terrible," Rachel continued. "Their faces are so swollen they might not even make it to our wedding. I offered them designer bags,jewelry worth thousands - nothing worked."

I waited until Audrey disappeared completely before cutting Rachel off."Let them throw their tantrums. If they push it, I'll freeze their accounts."

"They're your family!" Rachel looked stunned.

"Exactly why I know how they operate." I turned my wheelchair to face her."Every time Mrs. Knox hit them, they provoked her first. They wanted a reaction and got one."

Rachel inhaled sharply. "On Long Island, you nearly lost your leg saving that woman. Now you're taking her to see William, defending her after she attacked your family, threatening to punish them instead... What's really going on here?"

"Do you still think she's Audrey? Or are you just using her as a replacement because she has the same face?"

I gave Rachel a cold once-over. "Weren't you the replacement? When my grandfather was dying, you played Audrey for him. No one's competing for that role."

The color drained from Rachel's face. "So you think she's still-"

"I know exactly who she is," I cut her off. "But if I choose to be kind to someone with Audrey's face, that's my business."

Rachel's hands balled into fists.

"Let me be clear about your position," I said flatly. "I'm giving you marriage, the Parker name, and all the resources you need to impress your parents. But you don't get to dictate my personal life. That was our deal."

"We're business partners, not lovers. If that's not enough for you..." I held her gaze. "Plenty of other women would take this arrangement. Don't get greedy."

I pressed the button on my wheelchair and rolled past her without looking back.

**Audrey's POV*k

"Blake wants you to teach Rachel how to take care of William?" Astrid's mouth hung open.

I toweled my wet hair, frowning as I sat on the couch.

"So the grandson needs an outsider to show him how to care for his own grandfather?" She dropped next to me, shaking her head. "That makes zero sense."

I sighed."I know."

If I were still publicly Audrey Sinclair, it would make perfect sense.Nobody knew William's routines and preferences better than I did after four years of caring for him.

But as Evelyn Knox - Australian heiress with zero connection to the

Parker family - why would Blake ask me to teach Rachel about William?Something didn't add up.

"Maybe Blake knows it's really you."

We both turned to see Ethan in the kitchen doorway, still wearing an apron. He set a steaming dish on the table.

"Has to be. Nothing else explains his behavior."

Astrid smacked her forehead. "Of course! Think about it - Blake just happens to be at the airport when you arrive? He takes you to see William after you hit Thalia instead of confronting you?"

"William hates Thalia and Olivia anyway. He's called them embarrassments to the family for years. Plus the old man can barely stand - how could he possibly deal with his granddaughters getting slapped around?"

"Blake's not stupid," Ethan added. "But if he knows who you really are. it all makes sense. He invented the apology thing just to get you in front of William."

"That's actually logical..." Astrid studied my face. "Audrey, when you were with Blake today, did you feel -"

"No." I cut her off.

I returned my towel to the bathroom, then went to fetch Emma from the guest room.

"Dinner tíme," I said, steering her toward the sink to wash her hands.

Back at the table, I settled Emma in her chair and set up her plate, my

brow still furrowed.

"Your theories sound good," I admitted. "But they all assume Blake actually cares about me."

Ethan frowned. "Everyone in New York could see Blake loved you. After you 'died,' he camped at your grave for days. Started drinking himself stupid. Nearly tanked his company."

′′Aman that proud doesn't do all that unless he truly loves someone."

I shook my head. "He's just putting on a show."

"Playing the remorseful ex-husband who picked the wrong woman. Like he actualy gives a damn."

"If Blake really recognized me, he'd have exposed me on day one.Made some grand public apology, showed the world what a changed man he is.Classic Blake Parker damage control."

I served Emma vegetables and glanced up at Ethan. "Blake only loves Blake.Always has."

"Today was damage control, plain and simple," I said. "He's worried I'll crash his wedding and William will recognize me. Can't have a scandal ruining his big society moment."

"That's it. No grand conspiracy, no secret feelings. Just protecting his image."

Ethan stared at me, wanting to say something, but just let out a sigh. "Alright, he's just...looking out for himself..."