Audrey’s POV

Mayo Clinic’s VIP wing was quiet the next morning, and the early glow of dawn stretched long shadows across the pristine floor. I lay in the hospital bed, trying not to think about the experimental drug coursing through my veins, when the image of Blake tenderly holding Laurel in his arms last night popped into my mind.

His gentleness with her was everything it had never been with me. Five years of wondering if he was capable of such tenderness, and now I knew the truth – he just never chose to be gentle with me.

I remembered standing there, James’s navy jacket still warm around my shoulders, as I almost forgot the pain brought by Blake’s impact while seeing his retreating figure.

I ignored curious whispers from passing guests filled the air and shared opinions with the group of senior jewelry designers.

After that, I received a call from Dr. Evans. The urgency in her voice, the promise of an experimental treatment… I still remembered gripping the column for support as I listened. And that was why I managed to end up here so hurriedly.

My thoughts were interrupted as Astrid burst into the room with her usual dramatic flair.

“Breakfast delivery!” She held up a paper bag from my favorite café. “And don’t you dare say you’re not hungry.”

“You didn’t have to…”

“Of course I had to.” She pulled up a chair, her expression turning serious. “Now, want to explain why you rushed back from LA in the middle of the night for some experimental treatment?”

I picked at the croissant she’d brought, avoiding her eyes. “The timing was crucial. It’s a new drug for repairing post-miscarriage uterine damage. Very limited supply, so I couldn’t wait.”

“Uh-huh.” She wasn’t buying it. “And it had nothing to do with a certain CEO and his Hollywood princess?”

“Of course not,” I smiled, deliberately changing the subject. “Did you bring Snow back with you?”

Astrid sighed. “Yes, I tell you, she kept looking around everywhere for you. By the way, you got back pretty late last night… Must have been hard to get a flight on such short notice?”

“Mm.”

I smiled faintly. “James contacted his friends at the airline. That’s how I managed to get a last-minute ticket.”

“James really cares about you, you know,” Astrid said softly. “He messaged me first thing this morning, asking me to take good care of you. Remember how he used to help you with all those technical drawings at Parsons? Always staying late in the studio, bringing you coffee…”

I smiled despite myself. “He was just being nice.”

“Nice?” Astrid snorted. “Honey, that man was head over heels for you. Still is, if you ask me.” She paused, watching me carefully. “You know, if you hadn’t met Blake, you might already be with James. Feeling regretful now?”

The words hit harder than I expected. Would I be here now, dying in a hospital bed, if I’d chosen differently? Would James have treated me the way Blake did?

I took a small bite of my croissant, my voice oddly detached. “Yes. Very regretful. Maybe I should have chosen James.”

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