Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
He felt this was even more painful than the slap earlier.
Of course, he knew what this piece of paper meant.
She really didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore.
Did she really hate him so much that she was eager to totally erase him from her life?
Audrey was not interested in appreciating Cornell’s expression at this moment. He was right. She really didn’t want to have any connection with him.
She would rather owe money to those villagers than to him.
But now that the money was in the hands of the villagers, she couldn’t retrieve it anymore.
In fact, her lack of confidence in herself was the root cause.
Despite her resolute words, deep down, she was afraid of not being firm enough to resist his advances. She didn’t want to suffer again because of falling for him.
Audrey turned around and was about to leave. However, Cornell grabbed her wrist.
He said hoarsely, “You know that’s not what I want…”
Audrey smiled lightly.
“But what can I do? Besides that, there’s nothing I can give you.”
Her smile pierced his heart like a sharp knife. It didn’t hurt, but the taste was as bitter as gall.
Suddenly, he pulled her into his arms with some strength. His voice trembled when he said domineeringly, “You’re not allowed to leave me.”
Audrey struggled, but she couldn’t break free. She was about to kick him when a gentle man’s voice sounded behind her.
“Audrey…”
The voice distracted Cornell. Audrey took advantage of this opportunity and broke free from his embrace. The person who came was Henley. Henley pulled Audrey behind him as if to protect her.
Cornell’s expression darkened in an instant.
Yet, Henley remained indifferent to Cornell’s growing anger. He scrutinized Audrey, asking with evident concern, “Are you okay?”
Audrey simply nodded.
Fury built up inside Cornell to the brink of eruption, his longstanding resentment toward Henley mounting.
With his tongue pressed to his teeth, Cornell hissed, “I’ve truly had it with you, Henley Brooks!”
Their eyes locked in a silent standoff, neither willing to back down.
“Mr. Clement, you must be kidding.”
While Cornell seethed, Henley maintained his calm.
In an unaffected tone, Henley stated, “As adults, it’s perfectly normal for Audrey and me to spend time together. Perhaps it’s your conduct that requires scrutiny, Mr. Clement. After all, it’s clear Audrey doesn’t enjoy your company.”
Cornell glossed over Henley’s final remark, fixating instead on the implication that he and Audrey were a couple.
What did Henley mean by them spending time together?
Abruptly, Cornell seized Henley’s collar, teeth clenched, and spat out, “You think you’re worthy?”
Audrey’s expression shifted. Fearing Cornell might strike Henley again, she reached out to intervene, snapping, “Cornell, let him go.”
Initially, Cornell resisted releasing Henley, but the wariness in Audrey’s gaze wounded him.
He relaxed his hold, retorting icily, “I’ve warned you. He’s no good.
And you should cease all contact with him.”
Audrey bristled at Cornell’s authoritarian stance. To him, anyone he disliked was deemed no good.
She sneered, “Well, isn’t that just perfect? You’re the only virtuous soul on this planet, and the rest of us can’t match.”
Her sarcasm implied allegiance with Henley, casting Cornell as the enemy.
Uncomfortably, Cornell conceded, “Anyway, steer clear from this man.
Audrey, incensed, shot back, “Mr. Clement, by what right do you dictate my life?”
“I’m Looking out for your own good,” Cornell insisted.
Her patience worn thin, Audrey countered, “How gracious. But perhaps, Mr. Clement, you should tend to your own affairs?”
Their bickering escalated. To onlookers, they resembled a quarreling couple rather than two who had parted ways.
A chill flickered in Henley’s gaze as he seized Audrey’s wrist, stating firmly, “We’re leaving, Audrey.”
“Stay, Audrey,” Cornell intervened, clutching her other hand with an icy tone.
“Let me take you home. Ignore him.”
Audrey decisively freed herself from Cornell’s grasp, replying simply, “No, thank you.”
Cornell’s expression darkened at her swift rejection.
“Do you actually believe he’s decent? Are you aware of his vileness?”
Before Audrey could respond, Henley interjected, “Mr. Clement, any misunderstandings aside, I refrained from disclosing my feelings to Audrey while she was married. Now that she’s single, I intend to pursue her.”
Audrey stood, astounded by the revelation. Henley wanted to pursue her?
Cornell’s temper flared instantly.
“You want to pursue her? How dare you!”
Yet Henley remained unflustered, a smile playing on his lips “Pursuing someone as stunning and capable as Audrey is daunting, but.
His gaze locked with Cornell’s, a smirk evident.
“For your part in freeing her, Mr. Clement, my thanks.”
His words taunted Cornell, sparking Cornell’s fury that resulted in a punch that sent Henley sprawling, blood trickling from his mouth.
Henley, unyielding as never before, countered with a swift punch to Cornell’s jaw.
They scuffled, each refusing to yield.
In healthier days, Cornell would’ve easily subdued Henley, but his recent illness left him winded after a few strikes.
Audrey cried out, desperate, “Enough! Stop it, Cornell!”
Cornell hesitated, his fist midair, which Henley used to taunt further, “I plan to court and marry Audrey.”
That provoked Cornell to another assault, only halting when Audrey rushed in, pushing him back. She then turned to Henley, concern etched on her face.
“Are you hurt, Henley?”
Despite his worse condition, Henley had ceased his attack when he heard Audrey’s words, unlike Cornell, who seemed reluctant to stop.
“I’m alright,” Henley assured Audrey gently.
The sight pained Cornell.
Cornell grasped Audrey’s arm, his eyes bloodshot with emotion.
“Is he truly who you want?”
Audrey was just irritated. Was that even a choice? Cornell’s absurdity was laughable.
The notion of being in anyone’s debt irked her. Now, with Henley injured on her account, her stress multiplied.
With distinct irritation, she retorted, “Cornell, I believed it was clear we’re done. Why continue hurting my friend?”
Having said that, she assisted Henley to his feet, preparing to head to the car.
Cornell momentarily saw himself as a clown, the butt of his own joke.
He balled his hands into fists, noticing the reopening of his wound, now bleeding again.
However, Audrey couldn’t see this, or she just turned a blind eye to it.
His emotional turmoil and fury no longer held her gaze.