Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Cornell was rendered speechless. He looked at Audrey, his gaze cold and detached.
If Audrey didn’t think her disguise was good enough, she almost felt like he knew who she was.
Audrey bowed her head, like a shy bird, whispering gently, “Take care.
I’m heading out.”
Having confirmed that he wasn’t in mortal danger and didn’t seem like he would be disabled, Audrey was relieved.
Just as she turned to leave, she heard his cold request from behind.
“I need some water.”
Audrey paused. Pretending not to hear, she attempted to walk away but was stopped by his firm grip.
“Do you not hear? I said I need water.”
With no escape possible, Audrey nodded, her head still lowered, and muttered, “Alright then.”
The water heater was situated right next to the bed, making Audrey feel as though Cornell was watching her every action. The sensation was overwhelmingly uncomfortable.
She offered him the water. However, he didn’t accept it, his voice deep and commanding. “Feed it to me.”
Audrey was dumbfounded. The impulse to throw the water in his face crossed her mind. What sort of strange liking was this, needing a nurse to feed him water with his hand available? So vulgar!
Audrey restrained herself, worried about revealing her identity. She adjusted the bed’s angle to facilitate drinking.
Reflecting on her actions, Audrey was taken aback by her own behavior.
How could she manage something entirely new to her with such ease and grace? Could it be she had often taken care of him in the past?
Pushing these thoughts aside, she carefully brought the cup to his lips.
Cornell tasted the water and complained, “It’s too hot.”
Audrey was taken aback, questioning, “It isn’t hot, is it?”
Audrey double-checked the water’s temperature, ensuring it was not too hot.
With his handsome face clouded in frustration, Cornell snapped, “What’s your name? You’re so careless. Don’t trust me? Try it yourself.”
Confused by his stern tone, Audrey wondered if she had indeed made a mistake with the temperature. She quickly took a cautious sip. The water was not hot at all. In fact, it was pleasantly warm.
She stated, confused, “It’s not hot.”
“Really?” Cornell’s gaze intensified. “Then, I’ll have another sip.”
Audrey passed the cup back to him.
This time, he took it without requesting her assistance, and he drank on his own.
It was only then that Audrey noticed they had shared the cup. And the spot Cornell took a drink from was exactly where she had just sipped.
She awkwardly attempted to take the cup back, apologizing, “Oh, I’m sorry about that, this cup…”
Cornell gave her the cup, now without any water left, and waved his hand dismissively. “It’s fine.”
Audrey figured if he wasn’t bothered, she might as well drop it. She was about to leave when Cornell’s arm stopped her, gripping tightly as though he was worried she might escape.
Cornell asked, “My wound’s stinging a bit. Could you see if it’s opened up?”
Audrey was eager to get away, promptly responding, “I’ll get a doctor for you.”
However, Cornell held on, firmly requesting, “No, you check it now.”
Sighing silently, Audrey found herself speechless. “I don’t want to cause you any pain.”
Cornell firmly assured, “It’s fine.”
Audrey inhaled deeply. Alright then. Given that she played a part in his injuries, she felt obliged to check on it.
She looked at Cornell, and he returned her look. Their gazes met, holding for a brief moment.
Cornell said, “Help me undress.”
“Excuse me?” Audrey’s eyes went wide with astonishment.
Cornell gestured toward his bandaged right hand, explaining, “I can’t do it.”
Audrey noticed his right hand, indeed encased in bandages. Yet, she found herself hesitating. Today wasn’t quite like that car emergency.
“Why are you taking so long?” Cornell asked, a hint of irritation in his voice. It seemed he regarded her merely as a nurse lacking in professionalism.
Left with little choice, Audrey moved closer to begin unbuttoning his shirt. His casual wear was loose, gradually revealing his well-defined abs as she undid each button.
They met face to face. Cornell’s intense presence nearly overwhelmed Audrey.
Audrey’s cheeks warmed, and her hands shook ever so slightly.
Cornell glanced at her, a smirk forming. “Haven’t done this before?”
Audrey found herself at a loss for words. Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. What a rogue! Teasing a female nurse like this! She now realized looks could be misleading, glad she saw through him today.
Audrey huffed. “I have.” Then, she quickened her pace, managing to unfasten all the buttons at last.
Standing up, she gently pulled his shirt away halfway, attentively checking his injury. The bandage looked good, with no signs of tearing.
Gazing at the wound on his shoulder, her mind was suddenly filled with vivid images. It appeared to be in a hospital room as well, where Cornell passionately kissed her on the bed, enjoying themselves without any discomfort.
Her cheeks warmed with the recollection. Quickly re-dressing him, she uttered, “It’s… It’s okay.”
Cornell, noticing her averted gaze and reddened cheeks, felt a surge of curiosity. Next, he seized her quick, clumsy hand, which was trying to button up. With a rough voice, he inquired, “Want to touch?”
Cornell gently guided Audrey’s hand across his sculpted abs, letting her feel their firmness beneath his skin’s warmth. The heat of his breath brushed against Audrey’s face.
Cornell didn’t stop there but led her hand lower, tracing the lines of his Adonis belt toward a more private area…
Caught off guard, Audrey quickly came to her senses and pulled her hand back. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, spreading to her neck and ears. What was he making her touch? What a disgusting man! He was shameless, pervert and scumbag!
Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Audrey exclaimed, “You… Pervert!”
In her agitation, she dropped her disguise and spoke in her true voice.
Cornell, wearing a teasing smirk, responded, “You were looking so closely. I assumed you wanted to touch.”
“Who would want to touch, you disgusting pervert! I’ll sue you for sexual harassment!”
Cornell, barely lifting his eyelids, quipped with a raised eyebrow, “Oh? Then, do I get to sue you for pretending to be a medic?”
“You!” Audrey was caught off guard and visibly surprised. “How did you figure it out…”
She couldn’t pinpoint when he had seen through her disguise. Judging by his tone, he knew the moment she entered. He made her feed him water, shared the same cup and even checked his wound. It turned out he was on purpose.
Cornell gently lowered her mask and lightly pinched her cheek, gazing into her eyes. “You could hide in a turtle shell, and I’d still know it’s you.”
His eyes sparkled with a playful light, clearly delighted to see her upon waking. Despite her efforts to move on, it was clear she hadn’t, still clinging to her feelings for him. This realization made him visibly happier. His usually stern expression softened.
“You’re the real turtle here! A soft-shelled turtle, that’s what you are!”
Audrey, feeling tricked, swatted his hand away and turned to leave, but he caught her with his long, strong arm. “Please, don’t go.”
Caught off guard, Audrey almost stumbled into his arms. She quickly pushed him away, accidentally touching a sensitive spot, which visibly changed his expression.
His attractive face lost color as he seemed to be in pain. Audrey was taken aback, her mind flashing back to the day he was severely wounded.
Her heart tightened, and she instinctively moved closer to try and fix his disheveled clothes. “Are you in pain? Do you need to get a doctor?”
Facing her, Cornell’s robust chest was in full view. But her concern made her overlook it. “I think we need to get a doctor,” she said with a grave look.
As she tried to stand, Cornell drew her back into a gentle embrace.
“I’m not in pain,” he whispered, his voice deep and enticing. “Your concern makes me forget all discomfort.”
Audrey struggled to push him away, careful not to cause him any pain.
“Who said I’m concerned about you?” she retorted, irked by his assumption.
“Oh, if you’re not concerned, may I just lean on you for a while?”
He held her, finding a comforting warmth, a relief from all weariness.