Chapter 1 I'm Over It

Audrey Young was on her way to bring soup to her husband, Cameron Baker, when she got into a car accident.

A semi-truck roared past and almost took her head off. She survived only because she reacted quickly enough.

At the hospital, the staff told her they couldn't operate until a family member signed the consent forms. She called Cameron again and again, but he never answered.

On her last try, he hung up on her, then texted, "Audrey, I'm busy. Stop wasting my time."

If Audrey's best friend hadn't shown up, she might've left that place without her legs.

She spent seven days in that hospital bed, and Cameron never once reached out. Then, on the day she was finally getting discharged, her phone buzzed with a message from him.

"Get to the hospital now! Macie's hurt, and she needs blood!"

Audrey stared at the text, the words flat and cold on the screen. A chill spread through her, slow and absolute. She'd been gone a whole week, and he hadn't even noticed. He didn't give a damn.

Three years of marriage, and it all felt like a bad joke.

After a long silence, she finally texted back, "I was hurt too. I just got out of the hospital."

A few seconds later, her phone chimed. Cameron's reply flashed on the screen. "Don't start. I'm not in the mood to watch you play the victim."

Right after that, her phone buzzed with a bank alert. He'd just wired her three million dollars.

Audrey felt it land in her chest like a small hammer—light, but enough to crack her frozen heart clean open.

To Cameron, she'd always been the woman who married into the Baker family for money. In his eyes, she'd played her cards, saving his grandmother Julia Fowler's life, and used that debt to corner him into marriage.

His reason for marrying her had always been brutally simple. She and Macie Stone, his sister-in-law and also the woman he could never have, shared the same rare Rh blood type.

Macie had been born with a bleeding disorder and needed regular transfusions. So Cameron had struck a deal. He'd marry Audrey, as long as she agreed to be Macie's personal blood source.

Thinking about it now, Cameron and Ian Shaw had almost nothing in common except that their faces bore a resemblance. Ian would never trample on someone's feelings. He'd never turn this cold.

Audrey wired the money back.

Half an hour later, she pulled up at Baker Group's private hospital, where Macie was being treated.

Cameron was standing outside the VIP suite, jaw tight, worry etched across his face. He really did look a lot like Ian. They both had those clean, almost too-perfect features.

His suit made him look straight-backed and expensive. The high bridge of his nose and the narrow set of his mouth gave him a sculpted look, like something cut from stone.

The only real difference between them was in their eyes. Ian's were warm, while Cameron's were cool and distant, sharp with his quiet pride.

Audrey went a little blank, then almost laughed at how pathetic she'd become. Cameron only reminded her of Ian when he was hovering over Macie.

She'd spent three years taking care of him, giving him everything he wanted just to cling to that faint echo of Ian. All it left her with was pieces of herself.

Cameron heard footsteps and turned. His eyes went cold in an instant. "What took you so long? Why haven't you been home these past few days? Where have you been?"

He closed the distance in a few long strides and caught her wrist. It was still sore from the crash, and the way he grabbed her made her brow crease in pain.

"Let go!"

She shoved him off and said evenly, "Mr. Baker, under the terms of our marriage agreement, I don't question your personal life. That goes both ways. You don't get to ask where I've been."

Cameron's brow furrowed. Audrey had always been accommodating, always quick to please, so hearing her talk to him like that hit a nerve.

He started to snap back, then caught himself when he remembered Macie was still in the room. "I don't care where you've been. I already sent the money. Just go give Macie blood."

Audrey flashed a faint, crooked smile. The way he said it, anyone would think her whole purpose in life was to keep Macie alive.

On any other day, the words might have cut deep. But the crash had made one thing painfully clear—nothing she did would ever reach Cameron's heart, and she was done trying.

She took a step back and said in a level voice, "Mr. Baker, I don't want your money. I'll give the blood, but this is the last time."

Cameron's expression darkened, and he started to speak, but Audrey dropped their marriage certificate at his feet.

"Let's get a divorce. I'm done."

Chapter 2 He'll Never Be Ian

Cameron's hand clenched before he even knew what he was doing. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Audrey replied flatly, "It means exactly what I said. Mr. Baker, you never wanted to marry me. You just couldn't bring yourself to turn Julia down.

"I've made peace with it, and I don't want to drag this out any longer. I'll tell her myself. Please have someone draft the divorce papers when you can."

The veins on the back of Cameron's hand bulged.

Audrey actually wanted a divorce? Where the hell did she get the nerve?

They'd been married three years. He hadn't liked her, never really had, but divorce had never been on the table.

She'd spent all that time twisting herself into whatever she thought he wanted. So why was she the one walking away now?

Cameron stared at Audrey's face, cold and distant, unable to pull himself together. Then he snapped out of it, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.

"So you figured chasing me wasn't getting you anywhere, and now you want to play hard to get?"

He shot out a hand and clamped it on her jaw. "I'm not in the mood for games. You go in there and give Macie blood! If anything happens to her, I'll make you pay!"

His fingers dug in hard, brutal enough that the threat felt physical.

Audrey almost laughed. Just like she'd expected, divorce meant nothing to him. He acted like he was sure she'd never leave.

The joke was on her. She was the fool who'd started to care out of guilt.

Audrey didn't say a word. She shoved him away and walked straight into the hospital room.

Macie was propped up against the pillows, an IV taped to her arm. Her face was pale, and a cut marked her finger. She looked fragile, almost breakable.

When she saw Audrey, she blinked up, wide-eyed and soft. "Audrey, I'm so sorry to ask you for blood again."

Her tone was syrupy sweet, but there was a barb under it. "I've been such a mess lately. Cam's barely left my side, trying to keep me calm.

"I wanted to thank him with a home-cooked dinner, and somehow I ended up slicing my hand instead. Now he's got everyone running around because of me."

Audrey looked at her with steady calm, utterly detached. There was a time when that might've cut deep, but those days were gone. Whatever Cameron did wasn't her concern anymore.

A faint smile tugged at her lips. "It's fine. We're family, aren't we? No need to stand on ceremony. Macie, it's almost sad to watch you play the poor, grieving widow all alone.

"Cameron really should be the one looking after you. Don't stress over the gossip. He'll take care of it."

A trace of mockery flickered in Audrey's eyes as she added, "Because if you and Cameron are fooling around, I'm pretty sure Julia would break his legs herself."

Macie's face darkened in an instant.

Years ago, she'd married Cameron's older brother, Aaron Baker, because Cameron, the second son, was never supposed to inherit the family business. No one could've predicted Aaron would die so young.

And now, even if Cameron wanted her, Julia would never let them be together the way Macie dreamed. But even so, Macie couldn't stand the thought of Audrey getting a happy ending.

Macie shot a glance at the doorway. Then her hand clenched, and she yanked the IV from the back of her hand. Blood welled up, spilling in dark streaks down her wrist.

"Audrey, don't take this the wrong way. Cam's only been here because he feels sorry for me. You can be mad at me, but don't get the wrong idea about Cam, okay?"

Audrey frowned and was about to speak when footsteps echoed in the hall.

A second later, the door burst open and Cameron strode in. The instant he saw the blood running down Macie's hand, his expression hardened.

He crossed the room in a few long strides and seized Audrey's wrist. His voice was cold enough to freeze the air. "Audrey, what did you do to Macie?"

It happened too fast for her to react. Pain shot through her arm, which still hadn't fully healed. Her balance faltered, and she slammed against the edge of the table. The color drained from her face.

Cameron froze, a frown tightening between his brows. He hadn't grabbed her that hard. So why did Audrey look like she was in that much pain?

He was about to speak when Macie cut in, her voice soft and shaky. "Cam, please don't be mad at Audrey. I was just explaining that you've been staying with me because I've been sick, and that she shouldn't take it the wrong way.

"She probably just got a little jealous. I don't blame her. She's your wife. Of course, she'd think I'm in the way. If it's really bothering her, maybe you should just take her home. I don't want you two fighting because of me."

Whatever hint of concern Cameron had felt for Audrey disappeared. He'd overheard enough of their earlier conversation to decide Audrey was the one stirring things up.

Macie had been his childhood sweetheart, and she was Aaron's widow. He'd promised Aaron he'd look after her. So why was Audrey still being so unreasonable?

His expression hardened as he looked at Audrey. "Apologize. Now."

Chapter 3 Divorced Him for Her Next Guy

Audrey hurt so badly she couldn't get a word out. All she could feel was the cold, empty weight sinking in her chest.

For three years, Cameron had gone after her over every word Macie whispered in his ear. He was always ready to accuse, never once stopping to ask what really happened.

He was a man who never lost in business, yet somehow Macie had him wrapped around her finger like a blind fool.

Audrey used to fight back and explain herself. Now she didn't even bother. Cameron was never going to believe her, and she was done holding on to that kind of hope.

She was done being the nice person. She buried the ache and smirked.

"So what if I don't apologize? Then what, Mr. Baker? Are you going to pull your usual line about how if I don't want the Mrs. Baker spot, there's a whole line of women waiting for it?"

Cameron studied her, his gaze hardening as he noticed how pale she looked.

He hadn't meant for things to go this far. All she had to do was say she was sorry, and he would've let it slide. Why did she always have to push back?

He spelled it out for her, slow and deliberate. "Audrey, I'm giving you one last chance. Apologize right now, and I'll drop it."

The air in the hospital room felt tight, almost suffocating.

Macie's eyes glimmered with quiet triumph. Even if she never became Cameron's wife, she'd still get to live under his protection, rich and untouchable for the rest of her life.

Audrey had the ring, but what good was it? She still got talked down to every day and was treated like she barely even mattered.

Still, even Macie hadn't seen this coming. Audrey never talked back to Cameron. But today, it was like something in her had snapped overnight.

And then there was Cameron. The moment he grabbed Audrey, his whole demeanor changed. For a split second, he actually looked worried about her, and that made no sense at all.

As far as Macie was concerned, the only reason he'd ever married Audrey was because of Julia and Macie herself.

Audrey met his gaze in silence. Whatever patience she'd once had for him was gone. "You really think I was bluffing when I said I wanted a divorce? I don't need your pity offer."

She dropped the wedding photo she used to treat like something sacred at his feet.

"I'm done being Macie's personal blood source. And I'm done being your wife. Mr. Baker, did I make myself clear? From now on, there's nothing between us."

Shock hit Macie first. Then her eyes went bright with excitement.

Audrey actually said she wanted a divorce?

Macie knew getting the Bakers to accept her with Cameron wouldn't be easy, but with Audrey about to walk away, it suddenly didn't seem impossible anymore.

Cameron's expression darkened. So Audrey was really going to throw a fit just because he told her to come in and give Macie blood?

Then he really looked at her. Her face was far too pale, and his jaw tightened. Was she lashing out like this because the blood draw would leave her weak?

He'd spent years trying to find a better donor and still hadn't managed it. Why couldn't she just hold on a little longer?

Cameron exhaled slowly, his voice softening without him realizing it. "Enough. Don't start. This is just a small matter—"

Audrey's eyes went cold, sharp with mockery. "I'm not starting anything. I'm telling you I want a divorce. And no, this isn't a small matter. I'm done playing along with someone else's little show.

"If you want to keep being stupid, be my guest. I'm just not going to be the fool who keeps getting bled dry for it."

Cameron's frown tightened.

What was that supposed to mean?

He was about to press her when Macie suddenly went pale, panic flickering across her face at what Audrey might have found out.

She tugged lightly on Cameron's sleeve, turning her hand just enough for him to see the blood trailing across the back of it. Her voice came out soft and fragile. "Cam, I'm feeling a little dizzy…"

The second he saw how weak she looked, the veins stood out on his hand.

He stayed quiet for a beat before his tone went cold. "We'll talk when we get home. For now, you're giving Macie blood."

Audrey didn't budge. "No need to wait till we're home. Call your lawyer. Have him draw up the divorce papers. You sign, and I'll give the blood."

Realizing they were at a stalemate, Macie bit down hard, let her body go limp, and collapsed off the hospital bed onto the floor.

Cameron's eyes flew wide. "Macie!"

Everything else vanished. He ground the words out through his teeth. "Fine. I agree!"

Audrey's eyes stayed cold as she watched him call his lawyer and order the divorce papers. When they arrived, she signed her name without a second thought.

That was it. They were done, with no more ties between them.

She'd once believed that as long as she stayed by Cameron's side and kept looking at that face so much like Ian's, she could pretend Ian was still around.

But now, thinking about it clearly, she knew that if Ian saw how she'd let herself be treated, he'd be furious with her.

As Cameron watched her calm, steady movements, irritation rising in his chest for reasons he couldn't name. She'd loved him so much before. He wondered why she was letting go this easily now.

He said nothing as he signed the papers and watched Audrey walk out with them. His chest felt strangely hollow, though he couldn't explain why.

Chapter 4 She Actually Blocked Him

Audrey went straight to the lab and had her blood drawn. Cameron never showed.

The blood slid into the bag, slow and steady. Her fingers went cold, but her mind felt strangely clear.

When it was done, she steadied herself, stepped outside, and pulled out her phone. She opened WhatsApp and messaged a number she hadn't touched in years.

"Come pick me up."

The reply came almost instantly. "So you finally decided?"

"Yeah." She texted back and shared her location.

Not long after, a black Bentley eased up to the curb outside the hospital. Hayden Frost climbed out and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Aud, you're finally back to yourself! Do you know how worried I've been about you all these years?"

He opened the passenger door and helped her into the car. "I never thought that Baker guy looked like Ian. Okay, maybe the face. He's good at business. I'll give him that, but that's it.

"Aud, if you step back in and run things yourself, he wouldn’t stand a chance!"

Still, he shot her a cautious look. "You're... not going back to him, are you?"

"I'm not going back. We're divorced," Audrey said, calm as a closed door.

The moment the words left her mouth, Hayden went still.

He'd grown up with Audrey. He knew how hard she'd loved Ian. So even when it tore him apart to watch her chase Cameron—just because the guy had Ian's face—he hadn't tried to stop her.

After all, if she hadn't met Cameron by the water that day, she might've gone under in the same stretch of ocean that took Ian.

Even so, hearing her say she was done with Cameron, just like that, didn't feel real.

Hayden caught the way her eyes dropped and bit back the question. Instead, he said, "Getting divorced isn't a bad thing. Ian would've wanted you to be happy. Come on, let's get you home and let you rest for a while.

"If your parents find out you've finally moved on, they'll be over the moon."

Audrey hummed softly and watched as Hayden started the engine, still so out of it she didn't notice the figure striding toward their car.

The instant Cameron spotted Hayden, his face fell.

How dare she? Did she want a divorce because she already had someone else lined up?

He'd actually planned to go in with Audrey while she donated blood and ask why she was so dead set on ending things. And maybe he could see if there was anything left to salvage.

If it were only about the blood donation, he could've handled it. There was always a way.

Cameron knew how twisted that sounded, even to himself. He didn't love Audrey, not even close. But watching her cut him off that clean still left something knotted in his chest.

And now, when Cameron saw her in Hayden's car, that knot turned into fire. He yanked out his phone and called her.

Audrey glanced at the screen, confused by the sudden call, then answered. She didn't even get a chance to speak before Cameron's voice crashed through the line, low, rough, and furious.

"Get your ass back to the hospital. Now!"

Her brows knit. "Why should I?"

On the other end, his tone dropped to pure ice. "Because you're still Mrs. Baker!"

Audrey almost laughed.

There was a time when that title actually meant something to her. For three long years, though, he'd kept her tucked out of sight.

And now, after she'd finally walked away so he could play house with Macie, suddenly he remembered she was his wife.

Audrey's voice was flat. "Mr. Baker, you must've forgotten. You just signed the divorce papers. You don't get to order me around anymore. The next time you see me will be in court, when it's final."

Cameron's expression hardened, anger flashing sharp in his eyes. "Audrey, you—"

She ended the call before he could get another word out.

She wasn't wasting another second on him, and she sure as hell wasn't sticking around to take his temper for no reason. With that thought, she blocked his number.

Chapter 5 His Place in Her Life

Hayden gave Audrey a quick wink. "Aud, now that you're single, how about I take you out and help you unwind a little?"

Audrey blinked. "I'll pass. I'm not really in the mood."

But Hayden wouldn't drop it. "Come on, I just opened a new bar. Just show up for me. When was the last time we grabbed a drink together? Fresh starts deserve a toast."

She kept saying no, but in the end, he wore her down. She finally agreed.

After dinner, Hayden switched cars, rolled up in a flashy red Ferrari, and drove her into the city to his brand-new place, Night Rendezvous.

It was obvious he'd gone all-in. The staff looked like they'd been handpicked off a runway, and the place was downright gorgeous.

They snagged the best private room in the house and had a line of top-shelf bottles brought in.

She figured they were just there to have a few drinks and unwind. But then Hayden slipped out like he was up to something and came back with a lineup of gorgeous men.

First came the tall one, all muscle and sculpted abs. Then came the second, all warmth and easy charm. The third guy had slicked-back hair and gold-rimmed glasses, all polished charm on the surface, with trouble simmering underneath.

And the last? He was way too pretty for his own good. Honestly, he looked barely old enough to be let in.

Audrey's mouth twitched. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Hayden grinned. "Aud, me drinking with you alone wasn't gonna cut it, so I brought backup. These are the hottest guys in my place. Take your pick. Whoever you want sitting on the couch with you tonight, I'm footing the bill!"

Then he added, "Ian wouldn't want you moping forever. You ditched that jerk, which means it's time to have some fun, yeah? So, here's your first step."

Before she could say a word, Hayden threw the door open and bolted.

That was unbelievable!

Audrey drew a slow breath. She was about to tell them all to get lost when the one who looked barely old enough to be in the bar ducked his head.

"Gorgeous, do you think we're not good enough for you?" he asked quietly, his eyes rimmed pink, the hurt plain on his face.

So, this was what a pro-level tease looked like. It was just a few drinks anyway.

Audrey gave in, raised her glass, and after a few rounds, she really did start to feel lighter.

They were all stupidly sweet, calling her "Gorgeous" every other sentence, flattering her so much it was almost impossible to brush them off.

The one who barely looked old enough was unbelievably attentive, downing shots for her, feeding her fruit, and laying on the full boyfriend treatment.

Then it hit Audrey. She had money and good looks, but somehow she'd still spent all her time and love on a substitute. She'd been such a fool.

She stopped caring, let herself go, and started downing shots with the guys.

The door to the private room burst open, and a tall man strode in, the temperature seeming to plummet as he did.

Audrey was already half gone, the world spinning through a haze of alcohol. She lifted her head, looked toward the door, and froze.

For a moment, she thought it was Ian, but the cold, controlled fury rolling off him said otherwise. He looked more like Cameron.

She pushed herself up and stumbled over, clutching his tie. "You're... new? What's with the attitude? Come on, smile for me. I'll pay you."

Cameron's expression hardened as he caught her wrist. "Smile? Audrey, what the hell's wrong with you? First, it's Hayden, and now you're out here fooling around? Who said you could lose your mind like this?"

The pain in her wrist jolted Audrey back to herself. Her vision cleared, and she finally saw Cameron standing there.

Her face turned cold. "What I do is none of your business. You don't get to tell me how to live. We're getting divorced!"

Cameron's jaw locked, each word clipped and deliberate. "We're not divorced yet! As long as you're still Mrs. Baker, I get a say!"

Audrey looked at him and just thought he was pathetic. She bit out each word. "Cameron, I never once meddled in whatever's going on between you and Macie. Our marriage agreement was clear.

"We stay out of each other's personal lives. Isn't Macie still waiting for you at the hospital? So do me a favor and leave right now. You're ruining the mood just by being here."

Cameron watched her keep talking, and something tightened low in his throat.

A second later, he closed in, their mouths a breath apart. Just before he could kiss her, he pulled back, barely clinging to his self-control.

Then he yanked her upright. "Not leaving? You don't get to decide that!"

Audrey pounded his back. "Put me down!"

Her shouting grated on him, so he set her down on the floor.

Cameron stood over her, looking down with pure disgust. "Know your place! Everything you've done was just to get my attention. Well, here I am. What else do you want?"

Audrey planted a hand on the floor and lifted her head slowly, a smirk tugging at her lips.

He actually thought he was a prize, didn't he? How could any man be that full of himself?

Back then, Audrey had been helpless against Cameron's face. She'd fallen so hard for him that no matter what he did, she always found a way to believe he was right.

She'd even mistaken that ridiculous possessiveness of his for love. Looking back now, she knew it was her own wishful thinking that had blinded her.

She got to her feet, brushed herself off, and said, "Get over yourself. I was blind, so I thought you were easy on the eyes. But now that I can actually see straight, you've got the looks and nothing else."

The disgust in Audrey's eyes cut through Cameron like a knife. For three years, she'd looked at him with nothing but love.

When did that start to change? Right. It started the day she asked for a divorce, the day Hayden showed up.

The air around Cameron turned heavy, and the tension pressed in on all sides. In the next heartbeat, he lunged at Audrey, jaw clenched, and drove her back against the wall. The chill of it made her flinch.

He caught that and thought she was recoiling from him, and something in him broke loose. He couldn't even tell why he suddenly wanted to kiss her so badly.