After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 87

AUDREY

The royal blue, sleek brand-new car shone brightly before my eyes the night I arrived at the apartment, and the valet made sure to let me know it was taken good care of at the parking lot. 

 I'd never accepted something as valuable as this. It was too much, and Chelsea was fine sharing her Chevrolet with me. I didn't know if Stark just wanted to flaunt his money by giving me a car and asking me to pose for him in painting in exchange for one million dollars, or if that was just the way he was. 

I walked to the bathroom for a quick shower.

As I stepped out of the bathroom, my phone suddenly rang. I hurriedly picked it up from my mirror table and checked the caller ID. It was from an unknown number. 

I never answer an unsaved number, though. 

I ignored the call and put my phone down.

I slipped into my pajamas, and then I sat in front of the mirror. I squeezed the bottle of my moisturizer and applied some to my face. Then my phone buzzed again. I heaved out a sharp breath as I picked up the call. 

"Hello?"

"It's me, Audrey. Can we talk?"

I knew that voice. What did he want this time? "Anton?"

"Yes, please, Audrey." He let out a heavy sigh. "This will be quick. Just hear me out."

"After all you've said to me, you think I wanted to talk to you? And didn't you leave New York two months ago?"

"I came back. Listen to me. There are no days I don't think of what happened to us… to our family…" There was a long pause on his end.  "Samuel is dead. He was found dead, Audrey."

"W-what?" I breathed. I caught my mouth immediately. Every hair on my body stood. Instantly, I imagined my brother's droopy eyes and how he smiled faintly at me the last time I saw him. Samuel wasn't like Anton, and he at least had some humanity in his bones, despite being a coward. 

"He was found dead with multiple stabs on his body," Anton continued. "And our house is almost gone. Dad has some debt he's not telling us, and he put the house in collateral. We are done for, so please, if you could just go home and see Samuel or maybe appear in the court and settle so, we won't lose the house. It's all we have. I don't want to blame you, but you should've listened to me, Audrey. You should have come home when I asked you!" His voice was filled with regret, pain, and accusation toward my negligence. 

"Enough!" In my head, I screamed, but no voice came out of my mouth. I didn't realize I was already crying. "Don't you dare blame me because you were not there for him, too? I know my mistakes but don't put it all on me."

"How could you be so heartless? I just told you that our brother died," he shouted back. "It's not the time for debate. You need to come home."

I sniveled. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. "Where is he? Where is Samuel, and when did it happen?"

"Three days ago. His funeral will be in four days, and I'm here, I'm home…"

"Okay." I sighed. "I'll be there before his last day. How's Dad?"

"He never stops drinking, just like the ordinary days. He's gone insane." He heaved a heavy breath. "But I'm afraid he might collapse as well. He stopped eating anything. Will you be coming home now? We need your help. We don't have any money, Audrey. I saved a little, but it's almost gone. I have nothing to give out too."

I gritted my teeth, sobbing. My chest felt like it'd been crushed. "Hey, did you find out who did this to him? Did you catch the culprit?"

"No. I don't think we will ever catch him, but I want justice. Samuel, well, he was not strong, but he was better between the two of us. They said the culprit is a pro. I could never think of anyone who would hate Samuel unless it's one of Dad's… you know?"

"Possible. Oh, God!" I scratched my head. What was happening in our family? "Alright, I'm coming. I'll just need to settle a few things in the office, and I'll be there tomorrow."

There was another batch of silence.

"Audrey, I always wanted to ask you about this."

"What?"

I knocked on Chelsea's door before succumbing to any more loneliness, but I cried even harder when I saw her concerned face. I just needed someone who would listen right now. She immediately wrapped her arms around me, and I told her my conversation with Anton and Samuel, and she just listened, letting me speak and cry my eyes out.

"Shh, I'm sure Samuel will understand," she consoled.

"I should've gone to see him, Chelsea. I never saw his face since I left home, and it pains me that the next time I'll see his face is when he's not breathing anymore."

Her arms around me tightened. "Do you want me to come with you? To Phoenix?"

I looked up at her beautiful porcelain face. "Is that okay? But Jameson will surely—"

"He will let me come with you." She smiled. "I'm here for you, okay? You don't have to be alone in this."

I nodded, and I rested on her chest again. She continued to rub circles on my back. "I'm going to tell my boss tomorrow. Sending him an email or calling him is too informal."

"Stark can be very authoritative, I know. But can I say something?"

"Sure…"

"I know that your brother just passed away, but I'm going, to be honest with you. I don't like your family, Audrey. They seemed to be soulless. I don't. I can leave you alone knowing that. I will tell Jameson that I'm coming with you."

I pulled her into a tight embrace and cried on her shoulders. "Oh my God! I really didn't want to go alone, Chelsea!" I sobbed.

"I know. I would probably feel the same if it were me." She pulled away and wiped away my tears with her thumb. "I'm going to pack. I'm coming with you, okay?"

I nodded, then smiled, "Okay, thank you, Chelsea. You really are the best."

"Good, and congratulations on becoming the CEO's assistant. You just became one of the bosses now."