Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Audrey didn’t complain. She was willing to help Henley out after he had helped her tons of times. She thought it was just a dinner, no big deal.
But things turned a sudden twist from her expectation. She never thought she would meet Cornell at dinner when she showed up as Henley’s so-called girlfriend.
At a hotel in Ardlens, Henley’s parents were eagerly awaiting their arrival at the entrance. As Audrey approached, Henley’s mother embraced her warmly and presented her with some gifts.
Obviously, Gerda was delighted with her son’s choice of girlfriend.
Audrey did not have the heart to refuse those gifts prepared by Gerda. Following Henley’s cue, she accepted them but secretly planned to return them to Henley later.
Just then, Henley received a call and gestured for them to head upstairs without him.
Gerda linked arms with Audrey and chatted amiably as they walked toward the elevator.
But just after taking two steps, Audrey stopped in her tracks when she spotted a familiar figure. It was Cornell.
The tall, commanding figure, flanked by a group, was heading toward the same elevator.
Their eyes briefly met. But the next second, they both averted their gaze with feigned indifference.
Audrey couldn’t help but feel what a coincidence!
Not wanting to share the elevator with Cornell, Audrey slowed her pace.
Unfortunately for her, just as the doors were about to close, Cornell held the door open with his hand and stared at her and Gerda.
“Coming in?”
As Audrey was about to say she would just wait for the next elevator, Gerda led her into the elevator. Gerda then turned to Cornell and thanked him with a smile.
Once the elevator doors closed, a deafening silence enveloped the space. Cornell said nothing, and so did everyone around him, making the atmosphere weird.
Gerda, still holding Audrey’s hand, enthusiastically said, “Audrey, I like you the moment I saw you. You’re so adorable. You and Henley should marry soon and settle down. I’m looking forward to the day. Henley and you start a family and have some kids.”
Upon hearing this, Audrey felt sharp eyes piercing through her back.
She managed a strained smile and replied, “Gerda, it’s too early to think about that…”
“I understand you young people want to spend more time together before the baby comes,” Gerda assured with a smile, “But don’t worry.
Once you give birth to the baby, I’ll be there to help you take care of it.”
Audrey’s embarrassment deepened, and she could only laugh awkwardly in response.
Ding. Finally, the elevator reached their floor.
Audrey hurriedly guided Gerda out, anxious that Gerda’s enthusiasm might lead to her saying more shocking words.
Audrey was quite uneasy, not only because of the unexpected encounter with Cornell but also by Gerda’s pointed questions about marriage and children.
Although she struggled to respond, she managed to remain polite.
“No worries, dear. I’ll make sure you have a magnificent wedding in the future,” Gerda continued, seemingly oblivious to Audrey’s discomfort.
Audrey smiled awkwardly. She could not help but feel that Gerda was rushing her toward marriage. No wonder Henley wanted her to pretend to be his girlfriend tonight.
Not wanting to make things difficult for Henley, Audrey simply smiled and said nothing.
A few moments later, she excused herself since it became too much to bear.
Reagan made her way to the washroom. Once inside, she splashed cold water on her face, and the chill helped clear her mind.
Encountering Cornell twice in one day had soured her mood. Not only that, his insinuation that she was flattering herself was particularly hurtful. How ridiculous.
It was ironic how her once unreserved love was worthless in his eyes.
Thankfully, Audrey had freed herself from any more humiliation with the divorce.
Once she calmed down, she fixed her hair in front of the mirror and applied some lip balm. With that, she was ready to face the world again.
But when she stepped out, she saw Cornell smoking in a corner.
Their eyes met through the haze of smoke, and Audrey’s heart skipped a beat.
She sensed something in his gaze.
Audrey did not want to meet him. But she had to pass by him since it was the only way to return to the chamber.
She tried to reassure herself. Cornell seemed disinterested in her today, and he was never short of admirers. She doubted he would go out of his way to trouble her.
At this moment, she put on a facade of composure and began to make her way back.
As she approached Cornell, he extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray and, to her surprise, blocked her path.
Audrey stopped in her tracks, faced the wall, and waited for him to walk over, But he stayed put and maintained his stance.
She lifted her gaze, and her heart raced when she met his icy stare.
Audrey tried, with all her might, to remain calm and composed.
“Excuse me.”
“Where are you going?” Cornell asked, which took her by surprise.
After a brief pause, Audrey replied lightly, “That’s none of your business.”
It was then that she realized Cornell was not going to move an inch for her to pass by.
Not wanting to create a scene with him, especially in public, she tried to squeeze past the narrow space.
But as Audrey moved, Cornell grabbed her thigh, nearly causing her to stumble. In a panic, she grabbed him for support.
To her shock, Cornell pulled her into the men’s restroom.
Audrey struggled and kicked him hard. Despite her struggles, she found herself against a cubicle door.
In the restroom of a luxurious seven-star hotel, the lighting was soft yet bright enough to illuminate the spacious area. A subtle fragrance lingered in the air.
Audrey caught her reflection on the glossy white porcelain wall. Her hair was disheveled, and she found herself tilting her head back involuntarily. On the other hand, Cornell’s attire remained impeccably neat, which highlighted her disarray.
“Cornell, you’re insane. Let me go!” Audrey bellowed, her eyes bloodshot in anger.
Cornell grabbed her chin and forcefully tilted her face up to meet his eyes.
“Can’t stay away from him, huh? What did Henley do to win you over?”
The contempt in his words was unmistakable.
But only Cornell knew the reason he said those harsh words was to hide the jealousy churning inside him.
Audrey had consistently rejected his attempts at reconciliation.
He had tried everything, from humility to assertiveness, but nothing swayed her.
Her rejections had driven him to near madness.
Settling down… Having a child… He could not comprehend how she could consider such things with someone else.
There seemed to be an electric drill in his head, which made Cornell feel a headache.
In frustration, Cornell gripped her face tighter and demanded, “Answer me!”
Audrey winced in pain. Had she not been restrained, she would have slapped him across the face.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Cornell? We’re divorced. My life is none of your business. You have no right to treat me like this.”
Tears brimmed in her eyes, but Audrey refused to back down.
“You lied to me!” Cornell shot back, his eyes blazed with fury. He looked as though he was going to devour her.
“You once said you didn’t like him. So what’s this about now? Are you that keen on having his baby?”
The mention of a “baby” struck a nerve in Audrey, fueling her anger.
Of all people, Cornell should not have misunderstood her.
She had once longed for a child with him.
Their child, who never got to see the world, left a void in her heart.
Cornell failed to grasp her pain. And now he stood here, misconstruing her intentions.