Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Audrey paused to gather her thoughts before sharing the entire incident, including Cecilia’s schemes to drug her and the subsequent attempt to frame her, thwarted by Cornell’s intervention. She lightly touched on how she had assisted Cornell with his medical needs.
Back when Audrey helped with Cornell’s injuries, Erick, mistakenly thinking Cornell was taking advantage of Audrey, delivered bunches on Cornell without hesitation. Audrey’s revelation about medical aids made sense.
Erick’s brow creased slightly. It dawned on him that he had acted impulsively. Cornell was, in fact, aiding Audrey in seeking justice.
It had to be said that Cornell’s throwing Cecilia into Velvet Alley was a good decision. A mere drugging charge wouldn’t lead to a severe sentence, and a competent lawyer could even secure probation.
Such a lenient punishment didn’t fit Cecilia’s crime.
Cecilia deserved to face the harsh realities of Velvet Alley, a place without law. The thought of enduring such hardships there was more daunting than imprisonment. The agony there surpassed the fear of death. Survivors from ordeals there often emerged broken, either physically or mentally.
Audrey voiced her unease, “I’ve been thinking about his condition since we departed.”
“So you were planning to go see him just now?” Perceptive enough to speculate what was on Audrey’s mind, Erick gave Audrey a look.
Audrey found herself at a loss for words. She hadn’t foreseen Erick piercing through her pretense.
Audrey’s concern wasn’t solely for Cornell’s well-being. More pressing was the fact that Erick had struck Cornell tons of times, yet Cornell hadn’t responded in kind upon hearing her requirements.
The possibility of Cornell seeking vengeance once recovered, or his family demanding retribution, weighed on Audrey. Things didn’t go Erick’s way.
Audrey fretted, saying, “Erick, you struck him. What if he seeks revenge?”
“There’s no need for you to fret over this, and you’re forbidden from visiting him,” Erick firmly dismissed Audrey’s worry. He was firm about keeping her away from Cornell.
Whenever Cornell saw Audrey, the former’s paranoia and possessiveness overflowed. This deeply troubled Erick, who saw himself as Audrey’s protector. Reflecting on the hardships Audrey had endured in Ardlens in the past, he felt he was doing the right thing.
“And any help he provides you is his own choice. Don’t feel indebted.
He’s merely repaying a debt to you.” Erick, aware of Audrey’s compassionate disposition, feared she might feel obligated to Cornell.
Deflecting a blade didn’t clear Cornell’s wrongdoings so simply.
“Okay,” Audrey agreed, yet her mind wandered elsewhere. She couldn’t shake off the memory fragments of Cornell stepping in to shield her from harm more than once.
Lately, her mind often drifted to past occurrences, with some memories clear and others blurry. Countless times, things she had just recalled would slip from her mind in the next instant. She feared Erick’s concern, so she refrained from disclosing these circumstances to him.
Her current apprehension was focused on Cornell and Erick. Her current worry was over the potential fallout Erick might face due to his rash actions toward Cornell. Determining Cornell’s current state became her priority.
Suddenly, the door swung open. Nicole entered the room. “Audrey, are you alright?”
“I’m okay.”
Despite Audrey’s reassurance, Nicole scrutinized Audrey thoroughly, finding comfort only when she was sure about Audrey’s well-being.
With Elin tied up with business affairs and unable to visit the hospital, she had asked Nicole to check in on Audrey. Elin planned to visit after wrapping up her duties.
Sensing the conversation might shift toward topics of feminine interest, Erick chose that moment to exit. Before leaving, he made sure Victor remained posted at the door to watch over Audrey, ensuring she didn’t sneak away.
Upon Erick’s departure, Audrey turned to Nicole, asking, “Nicole, could you assist me in stepping out for a while?”
Nicole, intrigued by Audrey’s words, inquired, “What’s the matter?”
After hearing Audrey’s explanation, Nicole took a moment to reflect and sighed. “It looks like you’re bound to cross paths with him, aren’t you?”
Audrey’s confusion was evident upon hearing Nicole. “Nicole, are you familiar with Cornell?”
It appeared to Audrey that Nicole held more insights into Cornell than she did. At times, she found it challenging to pin down exactly what kind of person Cornell was.
“ihat? Interested in him?” Nicole said, lightly teasing.
Audrey’s cheeks turned a shade of pink. “No, not really.” Yet, understanding Cornell better could prove beneficial for her.
Nicole stopped her playful remarks, pausing to consider, and shared, “Apart from Cecilia, Cornell hasn’t been linked to any other women. He appeared to be quite upstanding. However, his current treatment of Cecilia suggests a possible past misunderstanding. If he’s being so severe with Cecilia now, maybe he had no affection for her in the past.”
Reflecting on Janey, Nicole had harbored doubts about Janey’s origins for some time.
Despite the Foster family’s impeccable work with the claim of Janey’s parents, Janey’s facial features bore a resemblance to Cornell. It was only because Janey’s eyes mirrored Audrey’s that this resemblance went unnoticed.
Turning to Audrey, Nicole suggested, “There might be some misunderstandings between you and Cornell. It wouldn’t hurt to try and understand him better.”
If Cornell’s past actions toward Cecilia were misguided, there might still be room for forgiveness.
After all, loving parents would be good for Janey’s upbringing. Aware of Janey’s desire for her father, Nicole had come to terms with her own lack of prospects for happiness, yet she wished for Audrey and Janey to find joy and satisfaction Swiftly, Nicole devised a strategy. She procured a nurse’s outfit for Audrey.
Donning the nurse cap, mask, and glasses, Audrey was completely disguised.
As expected, Victor failed to recognize Audrey upon her exit.
Nicole followed suit, locking the door behind them and advising Victor, “Audrey is resting. let’s not disturb her.”
Victor acknowledged her instructions.
Once outside, Nicole escorted Audrey to the parking lot before heading elsewhere.
Nicole’s vehicle halted outside a restaurant.
As she entered, Nicole didn’t notice a man who brushed past and glanced back at her.
Nicole proceeded to a chamber and opened the door.
The man trailing Nicole peeked through the door’s slit, catching sight of a guy inside with a distinct profile.
After Nicole shut the door, the man retrieved his phone to make a call. “Mr. Schultz, I’ve located Miss lawrence.”
A pause filled the other end of the line.
Then, with a clenched jaw, Alec announced, “She’s dining with another man.”
In the secluded chamber, a man sat at the head of the table. He wore a white shirt, its crisp collar neatly encircling his pronounced Adam’s apple, subtly highlighted by the placement of the buttons. His cool, detached demeanor was softened by a strict, almost ascetic discipline. His good looks were flawless and untouched.
As Nicole entered, the distance in his demeanor disappeared without a hint. A warm smile brightened his perfect face.
“Nicole,” he greeted, taking the coat she had just removed and hanging it with care.
“Have you been waiting long?” Nicole asked.
“Not in the slightest. I just got here myself,” Roscoe replied.
Once they had taken their seats, Roscoe gestured for the meal to start. The food was served promptly, and they started chatting lightly over the meal.
Nicole, having a particular liking for deep-sea fish, took an extra two pieces, drawn not by the taste but by their soft, tender texture.
Roscoe, noticing this, switched her plate for one with stomach-friendly vegetables, gently reprimanding, “Nicole, you shouldn’t be picky on foods. Eat these first, then you can have another piece of fish.”
Since Nicole’s surgery, Roscoe had been encouraging her to eat various nutritional foods. He knew that denying her the foods she liked would only lessen both her mood and her appetite.
Nicole dutifully ate the vegetables, despite their lack of flavor, finishing every bite.
Roscoe smiled and suggested, “Nicole, perhaps you should consider placing your company under the auspices of my uncle’s firm. It operates in a sector of Ardlens that often goes unnoticed.”
Nicole shook her head. “Roscoe, let’s not talk about this anymore,” she in sisted.
Nicole was firm in her decision to not involve Roscoe further. His assistance up to this point was more than enough. She felt it would be unfair to impose on him any further.
Roscoe rarely challenged Nicole’s choices. At her rejection, a shadow of disappointment briefly crossed his face. “All right, but for the specific tasks at hand, I’ll arrange for my uncle’s reliable aide to help you.”
“Roscoe, I really don’t need…” Nicole started to protest.
“Nicole, on this issue, I must insist,” Roscoe interrupted, reaching across the table to hold her hand, his eyes earnestly conveying his desire to swiftly resolve the problem.
Nicole’s hand stayed motionless, her gaze lowered. Roscoe’s hand was as perfect and appealing as his entire being. Her own hands and feet, always cold, found a comforting warmth in his touch, a balm to her spirit. Yet, it was this very warmth that made her reluctant to entangle Roscoe in the complexities and unpleasantness of her problems.
Nicole firmly pulled her hand away, ignoring the fleeting look of disappointment in Roscoe’s eyes. “Roscoe, I want to handle this by myself. Could you please look after…” Her voice broke off, leaving the name unsaid. Tears gathered in her eyes as she expressed her deep appreciation, “I’m so grateful to you.”
Roscoe’s response was almost imperceptible. “Nicole, Austin is doing well, better than you think, and he’s stronger than you know. Once we find a good match, he’ll definitely get better. Just focus on your goals.”
Nicole lowered her head, her hands covering her face as she cried softly. “Thank you… Thank you so much,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. She was grateful that Roscoe had kept Austin from seeing the flaws in her. She felt she wasn’t a good mother.
Austin was too innocent, and she felt too stained by her past.
Following the birth of Austin, Nicole was overwhelmed by a profound depression. This dark period led her to attempt to end her life on several occasions.
One night, in a moment of despair, Nicole found her hands wrapping around Austin’s thin neck. The hope she had once felt for her son had turned into bitterness. She questioned why he continued to live.
Yet, as she tightened her grip, the sudden cries of her son pierced the silence, snapping her back to reality.
“How did I become so lost?” Nicole wondered.
Roscoe stood up and placed his hands on Nicole’s shoulders, soothing her with gentle strokes. He waited patiently until her sobs subsided.