Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Uncertain and anxious, she pondered Jarrod’s next move.
If it hadn’t been for the medical experts Jarrod had introduced to her father, Nicole would have left that instant.
Pulling out her phone, she texted someone, “I’ll be ready in ten days-is everything set?”
“All arranged,” the receiver replied.
Relieved, Nicole deleted the messages.
She decided not to participate in Jarrod’s games and left Ardlens with her parents.
Audrey had been punished by Cornell. She had been home alone for five days and Cornell had not shown up since they last saw each other.
The maid, a familiar face, dutifully brought her food to her room, but was forbidden to engage Audrey in conversation.
Once, Audrey tried to borrow a cell phone from the maid, but, to his disappointment, the maid did not own one.
Audrey’s days consisted of eating, sleeping and watching television, which was good for his condition.
During his confinement, Audrey would scan the windows, looking for an escape route, but the layout of the villa thwarted his plans.
At dusk on the fifth day, Cornell returned.
At the sound of the door, a flash of excitement went through Audrey and was quickly suppressed. The loneliness had begun to get to her.
Cornell entered calmly.
Audrey wished to speak, but was at a loss for words.
Cornell merely glanced at her before heading to the bathroom to shower, leaving Audrey alone with the sound of running water.
The sound brought back haunting memories of a crazy night.
One night when, after pleading, Cornell had shown him some mercy, though the duration had been unbearable for Audrey.
She wondered what had driven Cornell to such extremes.
Determined to start a quiet conversation that night, Audrey waited for Cornell.
Cornell emerged from the shower, less intimidating in navy blue pajamas, his hair damp.
Seeking to ease the tension, Audrey asked nonchalantly, “Have you had dinner?”
“Yes,” Cornell replied tersely.
“Are you thirsty?” she continued, determined to break the ice.
Cornell held her gaze for a moment and then nodded.
Audrey poured a glass of water for Cornell, who was leaning against the bed, engrossed in the latest magazine.
When she hesitated to hand him the glass, Cornell grabbed her by the wrist.
He set the glass down on the bedside table and, with a gentle tug, Audrey found herself unexpectedly sitting on his lap, her cheeks flushed with surprise.
“Ah!” startled, Audrey let out a cry. She tried to get up, but Cornell held her ankle firmly.
He nonchalantly rubbed her protruding ankle bones as he asked in an icy tone, “Do you have something to tell me?”
Trying to remain calm, Audrey replied, “I have work to attend to. Can I come to the company tomorrow?”
“You don’t need to bother with that anymore.”
Confused and alarmed, Audrey responded, “What do you mean?”
Cornell revealed, “I’ve arranged your resignation with your boss. You’re off the job now. Aren’t you happy?”
This news infuriated Audrey. Her intention was to have a civil conversation, but anger got the better of her.
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“Cornelll, you had no right to decide that for me! It was my job, my decision.
Why did you do it without asking me?”
Her authoritarian nature was unmistakable. This time, his frustration reached new heights.
“Do you need to ask why?” retorted Cornell, bringing his hand to his chin with a chilling grimace. “Because I’m your husband.”
His smile was cold and sent a shiver down Audrey’s spine.
Fear gripped Audrey, reminding him of that harrowing night. He worried that any further provocation might lead her to repeat that terrible experience.
At this thought, Audrey said softly, “Cornell, I’m telling the truth.
There is nothing going on between me and Henley. Please don’t let your suspicions lead you to false accusations.”
“Suspicions?” repeated Cornell, his tone laden with ambiguity.
Audrey nodded and his words came out hastily, “It’s true. I have nothing to do with Henley, why can’t you believe that?”
After speaking, Audrey instantly regretted his anxious tone.
He looked at Cornell, fearing his reaction.
Cornell’s demeanor turned cold. “You work for Henley’s company and yet you claim there’s no connection?”
Audrey’s confusion was evident. What was Cornell implying by saying she worked for Henley’s company? She had never been aware of any connection between the company she worked for and Henley.
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Cornell showed Audrey a document on her laptop that revealed that the company she worked for had been acquired by Henley the day after she joined.
The manager she knew was nothing more than a figurehead.
Rushing to clarify, Audrey insisted, “I had no idea about this. I swear.”
Cornell’s eyes, however, remained skeptical, unconvinced by her words.
Panic seized Audrey. The thought of prolonged confinement was unbearable.
“You have threatened me. If you doubt me, let me confront him directly!”.
“Confront him?” Cornell sneered, “What did you expect from a man who is now a vegetable?”
“What?” dumbfounded, Audrey stared at Cornell. “Henley… Is he in a vegetative state?”
Audrey’s shock was palpable.
The thought of Henley being reduced to a vegetative state exceeded all his expectations.
The expression of disbelief on Audrey’s face turned to sadness, a sight that struck Cornell as surprisingly out of place.
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Does this make you sad?”
Audrey, surprised by his question, shook her head quickly. “No, it’s just hard to understand…”.
Henley and Audrey had known each other for a long time. Audrey was not insensitive or callous.
Besides, despite what Henley had done, he had never really hurt her. At that critical moment, he had made a concerted effort to protect her.
Audrey’s distracted look only fueled Cornell’s growing anger.
Cornell had stayed away for five days, fighting the fear of losing control and hurting Audrey again.
He had tried to suppress his thoughts, but each new revelation only fanned the flames of his anger.
Suddenly, his expression darkened. He pushed Audrey down on the bed and reached under her dress.
Audrey, terrified, stammered out an explanation: “I knew of no link between Henley and the company he worked for. His threat was real-why can’t you trust me, Cornell?”
Cornell’s piercing gaze bore into her. “Then explain to me why Henley would leave all his wealth and assets to you.”
When Henley’s aide announced his vegetative state at the hospital, Gerda was so distraught she nearly fainted.
Audrey was equally stunned. Why would Henley have left his entire fortune to her? Such a turn of events seemed incomprehensible.
Cornell, his eyes darkening, asked, “Can you explain this?”
Audrey opened his mouth but remained silent, speechless.