The Moment I Realized I Can't Lose You novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 

Getting the exact answer she wanted, a flash of triumph crossed Rainey’s eyes. Suppressing her wild joy, she let out another soft sigh. “I had hoped your year with Joaquin would at least be a rare, happy memory for you.” 

Audrey closed her eyes. In the past, she really had thought that way. From the day she joined the Judd family, she knew he didn’t love her and that they had no future. So she constantly told herself that simply having beautiful memories with him would be enough. She had always believed that when the time came, she and Joaquin would part on good terms. 

But now… 

Audrey looked up, meeting Rainey’s gaze, her voice freezing over. “Looking back, the memories of this past year only make me feel sick.” 

Every little moment they had shared, every instance of warmth and intimacy, now served as a glaring reminder of how utterly delusional and pathetic she had been. 

Out in the corridor, Joaquin squeezed his eyes shut and silently released the door handle. 

A draft blew down the hall, making him feel inexplicably cold. He turned and strode briskly toward the end of the corridor. 

So, that was how she really felt… 

Catching sight of the figure leaving the doorway, Rainey finally dropped her sweet facade, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “If it makes you feel sick, do you still plan on staying as Mrs. Judd?” 

“Don’t worry.” Audrey smirked. “I won’t give you my bone marrow, but I will give you back the title of Mrs. Judd.” 

She had no desire to cling to things that didn’t belong to her. 

Rainey laughed out loud. “That position was always mine. Even if you don’t step aside, Joaquin won’t make me wait much longer anyway. You better go home and prepare yourself. I’m getting that marrow.” 

Audrey looked at her, smiling right back. “And I suggest you go prepare some alternative treatments. It would be a shame if you couldn’t get the marrow and delayed your recovery. I hear terminal leukemia takes people out pretty fast.” 

“You-!” Rainey glared at her, eyes vicious. 

“Are we done here?” Audrey cut off her tantrum with a bright smile. “I have shopping to do with Bianca.” 

Throwing out that final sentence, the woman turned on her heel and walked out. 

As the door clicked shut, Rainey grabbed a pillow and hurled it at the floor. “Bitch!” 

“Did she do anything to you?” Bianca rushed over from down the hall the moment Audrey stepped out. 

“I’m fine.” Audrey smiled, grabbing her friend’s hand. “Come on, let’s go shopping.” 

Bianca gave her a worried look, but seeing that Audrey actually looked composed, she finally relaxed. “Alright!” 

She squeezed Audrey’s hand, her voice ringing with pride. “We are going to buy every single dress those snobs think you shouldn’t wear. We’re going to buy the whole mall and piss them all off!” 

Audrey couldn’t help but laugh. Bianca was always like this, a radiant little sun capable of effortlessly chasing away Audrey’s darkest clouds. 

In good spirits, she walked hand in hand with Bianca toward the elevators. 

The hospital elevators were notoriously slow. Seeing that it was almost lunchtime, Bianca started looking up restaurants in the shopping district. 

Joaquin’s brow furrowed heavily. “Don’t talk nonsense. Rainey isn’t my girlfriend.” 

Audrey raised an eyebrow. “Not a girlfriend? Fiancée, then?” 

The man’s scowl deepened. “Audrey, you and I are husband and wife.” 

Audrey smiled bitterly. “Not for much longer.” 

Right on cue, the elevator doors chimed open. 

Not wanting to waste another breath on him, Audrey pulled Bianca along and stepped out. 

She had barely taken two steps when a large hand clamped shut around her wrist. The man held her tight, his voice freezing. “Audrey, what exactly do you mean by that?” 

Audrey flashed him a mocking smile. “I mean, Joaquin, we are getting a di-” 

Before the word “divorce” could leave her mouth, his phone started ringing. From the short distance, she could clearly see the name on the screen: ‘Rainey’. 

The sarcasm on her face deepened. “Your fiancée is calling, Mr. Judd. You better answer it. Don’t keep her waiting.” 

Yanking her arm free, she linked arms with Bianca and walked away. 

The second she shook off his grip, instinct urged him to chase after her. But the phone was still ringing. Joaquin hesitated for a fraction of a second, then finally answered, “Rainey…”