The Moment I Realized I Can't Lose You novel Chapter 47

Staring at Rainey, who was now securely supported on both sides by Joaquin and Fiona, Audrey’s mind momentarily drifted. She remembered the time she had been severely injured in a fall—a direct result of one of Fiona’s cruel schemes—and ended up hospitalized.

When Joaquin came to visit her, the nurse was right in the middle of changing her dressings. The pain had been excruciating; she felt like her very pulse was screaming. In a desperate bid for comfort, she had instinctively reached out to grab him as he stood by the bed.

But he had reflexively taken a step back. Her hands grasped nothing but empty air. Left with no other option, she gripped the metal bedrails. By the time the nurse finished, her hands were completely numb from gripping the metal so tightly.

She still remembered the thinly veiled mockery in the nurse's eyes when she saw Joaquin physically dodge his own wife's touch.

Audrey had been devastated, but she had forced herself to rationalize it. She told herself that Joaquin was the untouchable, aloof CEO of the Judd Group, and he simply despised public displays of affection.

But now, watching him hold Rainey so tightly, the truth finally clicked into place. It wasn't that he hated physical touch. He just hated touching *her* when people were watching.

The realization pulled a cold, bitter laugh from her throat. "You know what, Joaquin? I really don't think you should worry so much about your precious reputation. Let's just finalize the divorce as soon as possible. Because otherwise..."

She lowered her gaze, staring pointedly at the hand Joaquin had wrapped protectively around Rainey's shoulder. "If you stay married to me while being this openly intimate with her, people are going to say much, much worse things."

Joaquin stiffened, his grip on Rainey faltering for a split second.

Fiona glared at Audrey. "Rainey is coughing up blood because of you! What's wrong with Joaquin holding her for a second?!"

She let out a harsh sneer. "But don't you worry, Joaquin will divorce you eventually. Once you finish helping Rainey, do you honestly think the Judd family will keep you around?"

Audrey’s lips curled into a glacial smile. "Then don't hold your breath."

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