Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Anyway, it was not her choice to make.
It was late in the evening when Cornell rushed back.
As he stepped into, he saw the chaos. Luciana, with tears streaming down her face, huddled by the bed. Alexis stood by and, for some reason, was averting his gaze from Luciana.
Cornell’s heart ached at the sight. Such a strong woman, now so vulnerable. He approached Luciana to comfort her while also casting a chilly glance at Alexis.
“You’ve just come back today. Shouldn’t you be resting instead?”
His words hinted at Alexis being the cause of trouble.
Alexis’ expression hardened, and he sneered, “I’m your father. Show some respect!”
“Then act like one,” Cornell shot back.
“Am I the one arguing? I haven’t said anything. She’s the one smashing things. I don’t even want to be here!”
Luciana sprang to her feet and argued, “You think I enjoy talking to you? If not for Kyler, I’d have divorced you a long time ago!”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I didn’t come back for you,” Alexis retorted, clearly annoyed.
He then gestured to Cornell and added, “Come with me.”
With that, Alexis headed to the study.
Once inside, Alexis flung a photograph at Cornell and went straight to the point.
“You’re divorced, I know. Tomorrow, I want you to meet Eloise, the only daughter of the Benton family.”
“What do you mean?” Cornell asked, puzzled.
Alexis looked at Cornell sharply and replied, “What do I mean? You’ve been messing around for two years. It’s time for you to settle down for a marriage of convenience.”
“I decline a marriage of convenience,” Cornell stated firmly.
As if he had not heard what his son said, Alexis lit a cigar and pressed on, “The Benton family’s new energy projects could boost our foreign market share by 70 percent. I’m quite pleased with it. The blind date is just a formality. You’re marrying her whether you like it or not.”
Cornell walked to the window, flung it open to air out the cigar smoke, and replied with a hint of sarcasm, “Well, if you’re so pleased about it, why don’t you marry her yourself? Did any of your mistresses have actually benefited the Clement family?
“You…” Alexis choked in anger and coughed violently. Once he recovered, he slammed his fist on the table and asserted, “Cornell, this isn’t up for discussion. If you refuse to comply, you’re no longer part of this family.”
Cornell shot Alexis a steely gaze.
“I’m not discussing with you, either. Last I checked, I hold more shares than you. You’re in no position to kick me out. If I were you, I’d continue to live overseas and stay out of the company’s affairs.”
Alexis’ anger subsided into a sneer.
“Your mother and grandfather really taught you well how to piss off your own father.”
“I will take that as a compliment.”
At this moment, Alexis’ fury was palpable. He fixed his gaze on Cornell and asked with frustration, “Can’t you tell why I’m doing this? It’s for the future of the company! Think of your mother and grandfather.”
His voice started soft but grew increasingly forceful.
Cornell’s expression turned even colder. He faced Alexis and pointedly asked, “Are you really doing this for the family and the company?”
Alexis was stunned for a second and unconsciously averted his gaze.
“Yes, of course. This is all for you.”
A hint of mockery flashed across Cornell’s eyes. He had changed his mind. At last, he sighed resignedly and said, “Fine, I’ll go.”
Seeing Cornell’s change in attitude, Alexis’ demeanor softened, and he earnestly said.
“You’re my only son. Everything I do, I do for the Clement family, especially exploring the market.”
“Sure,” Cornell responded absentmindedly.
Alexis looked at his son, who was taller and more handsome than himself, and felt a sense of pride. He reached out to pat Cornell’s back, but the latter deftly sidestepped the gesture.
Annoyed by Alexis’ duplicity, Cornell coldly said, “If you have no other important business, don’t bother coming here.”
Alexis felt a sting at those words. This place was his home, too.
Why should he be barred from it?
In his eyes, Cornell was influenced too much by Luciana and Kyler that he had no qualms in disrespecting his father.
But since Cornell had agreed to attend the blind date, Alexis decided to let it go.
“Fine. I won’t be here unless necessary.”
Alexis was busy with negotiations with the Benton family for a collaboration in the foreign market. If things went well, he might regain the control of the Clement Group.
When that time came, Cornell would have to fall in line, especially considering his connection to Audrey. Alexis vowed to himself to only support those who obeyed him.
The next morning, Audrey started to clean Nicole’s apartment. Nicole had not come back the previous night. Well, the truth was, Nicole rarely lived in this place.
Nicole had once half-jokingly told Audrey that this apartment was her last remaining asset, and if she ever needed to flee, she would sell it for quick cash. Therefore, she welcomed Audrey to move in.
Audrey knew this was Nicole’s way of helping her. Since Nicole was against the idea of Audrey staying elsewhere, Audrey insisted on paying market-rate rent, asserting if Nicole refused to take the money, she would find another place.
Eventually, Nicole relented. She agreed to accept half the rent and share the house with Audrey.
Audrey was in the process of selling her own apartment. Two clients had shown interest, but their offers had not met her expectations.
Though eager to sell it out, Audrey didn’t want to sell her dream home at a low price. After all, she had chosen the Location carefully and believed it deserved a fair value.
That afternoon, Henley asked Audrey out, saying he would like to ask her a favor.
So, Audrey decided to go out early and pay a visit to Kyler in the hospital before meeting Henley.
Kyler’s condition had been deteriorating, resulting in a prolonged hospital stay.
Upon seeing Audrey, Kyler’s face lit up, and he eagerly asked, “Why are you here alone? Where’s Cornell?”
Audrey quickly racked her brain to come up with an excuse.
“He’s swamped with work these days.”
The truth was, she had intentionally chosen a time when Cornell would be at the office to avoid any awkward encounters.
After chatting with Kyler, Audrey cautiously broached a sensitive topic.
“Would you be upset if Cornell and I ever broke up?”
Kyler frowned.
“Has that brat been giving you a hard time?”
“No, no. I was just curious about your reaction.”
Audrey had been contemplating how to tell Kyler about the divorce.
She could not hide the truth from him forever.
To avoid any unnecessary involvement with Cornell, she preferred to tell Kyler sooner rather than later.
Kyler might be upset at first, but Audrey was confident he would eventually understand her decision.
However, she decided against telling him about her miscarriage, fearing it would be too much for him to bear, especially in his current state. For now, she needed to come up with a more suitable explanation for the divorce.
“Don’t be impulsive. If you and Cornell have any misunderstandings, you should address them quickly. You don’t want to live with regret.”
Audrey found herself at a loss for words.
Sensing that there was something on her mind, Kyler continued, “Audrey, I can handle more than you think. If something’s bothering you, tell me. I’ll manage to help you.”
Tears welled up in Audrey’s eyes. She gently placed her face against the back of his hand and assured him, “I’m fine. My only wish is for you to live a long, peaceful, and happy life.”
Kyler smiled warmly.
“Everyone has regrets in their lives. Don’t underestimate me. I’m much stronger than you think.”
Audrey sensed that Kyler might already know about her divorce or at least suspect something was amiss.
She and Cornell had not visited him together for quite some time, which could have raised his suspicions.
With this in mind, Audrey began to reassure him, “I…”