Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“Shut up!” Cornell jerked his hand away forcefully.
Katie stumbled and fell to the floor. The fall hurt. Her eyes widened in disbelief, unable to comprehend how Cornell could show such indifference.
Over the years, their relationship, though not warm, had led her to believe she had a special place in his life, especially since she had supported him through his toughest moments. She couldn’t fathom their bond ending in such a cold manner.
“Keep in mind, whether it was before or now, Audrey is and always will be my wife. Think twice before you bring her up again!”
Cornell’s words came as a stark warning, his anger unmistakable.
Deep down, Cornell believed he was the only one allowed to affect Audrey’s emotions. The thought of anyone else causing Audrey distress, whether through actions or words, was unacceptable to him.
Katie’s fall snapped her back to reality. Masking her feelings, she wiped away her tears and managed to steady her voice. “I’m sorry, Cornell. I shouldn’t have lost control like that,” she apologized.
Cornell, his expression cold and detached, didn’t even bother to look at Katie, sensing her intentions.
Katie’s heart felt as if it was cracking, trying desperately to keep herself together. She wished she hadn’t come if she had known this would be the outcome.
Yet, realizing Cornell’s stance, Katie understood that avoiding today’s confrontation wouldn’t spare her from future ones. It was better to face things head-on.
“Give me three days. I’ll talk to my father. You’re right. I need to act professionally and properly conclude this matter,” Katie pled.
At that moment, Cornell went quiet. He figured he could hold out for the next three days.
To Cornell, it would be ideal if Katie had come to terms with his words. He certainly didn’t want rumors flying about the Glyn and Clement families not getting along. After all, several projects were underway and any rumors like that could lead to serious problems.
“I’ll leave you to rest, then. I’m heading out now.” Katie forced a smile, grabbed her bag, and made for the door.
“Hold on.” Cornell’s voice stopped her in her tracks, deep and sudden.
“Yes?” Katie paused, curiosity lighting up her eyes.
Cornell, with a cool demeanor, pointed at the thermal pot at the bed’s end. “Take that with you.”
Katie’s face lost color. She couldn’t keep herself together any longer. Slightly bowing her head, she started to cry. “Why? Why are you so cold to me?”
Her hands balled into fists. Anger and hurt filled her heart. For the past five years, she had stood by his side without fail, offering her unwavering support.
In the end, Cornell couldn’t even bring himself to sip the soup she had prepared. She had spent time and effort making that nutritional soup. Yet, he preferred the soup made by a nurse over hers.
Katie directed all her anger toward Audrey who had miraculously returned. What appeal did a widow like Audrey, who had a child with another man, hold? Why couldn’t Cornell shake Audrey off? To Katie, Audrey was just pretty with tricks to seduce men.
Katie’s hands were balled into fists, her head bowed. Her sorrow was evident to anyone looking. But what they couldn’t see was how her heart was twisted with hatred at the moment.
Cornell, with a face showing no emotion, said, “Had I known your true feelings earlier, our families would never have entered into this partnership.”
Katie’s face stiffened for a moment, and with tears streaming down her face, she replied, “Are you joking? Isn’t the deep bond between our families the foundation of our partnership?”
She had always believed their families’ collaboration was a sign of Cornell’s willingness to meet halfway. This very collaboration was what made her hold on silently for five years, hoping for him.
Cornell was losing his patience in front of the weeping Katie. His patience was reserved solely for matters concerning Audrey.
Glancing up, Cornell looked at Katie expressionlessly and said with a chill in his voice, “Katie, working with your family or another capable company makes no difference to the Clement Group. Your family doesn’t get any special treatment. In other words, the job could be yours or someone else’s. Got it?”
His words, sharp and unforgiving, felt like a slap to Katie’s face.
However, his harshness wasn’t due to disdain or anything personal. He simply had always been detached when it came to women, with Audrey being the only exception. No other woman could stirred his feelings.
Without paying attention to Katie’s reaction, Cornell continued in a firm tone, “Clearly, you’re not fit to be the vice president of the Clement Group anymore. Get the handover completed within a week. You’re to resign.”
Katie felt as if the world around her had gone dark, her mind a complete blank. In an instant, it was as though she had lost everything. Her hopes, her dreams, and her enduring love were all shattered by this man without mercy.
Frozen, she shook her head and shed her tears. “Cornell, I can’t believe this! How can you be so heartless toward me? I’ve been with you for five years, right by your side. Don’t I deserve an explanation?”
“Have we ever truly been together?” Cornell’s words caused Katie’s face to lose all color. “Simply because you visit me with my mom, do office work, and share a car with me for business activities doesn’t mean we’re close. If that were the case, I’d owe Matteo an explanation since he’s been by my side for a decade, right?”
His reasoning immediately shattered Katie’s illusions. Indeed, it was all in her head.
In Cornell’s view, Katie was merely an assistant stuck to him amid business activities. Yet, Katie had fooled herself into thinking she was vital to him. Her obsession with this notion grew. She believed she was indispensable to him. But in reality, she had never been anything special to him.
Glancing at his watch, Cornell worried that Audrey might get the wrong idea if Katie lingered any longer. He had no desire to continue their conversation. With a cold tone, he said, “You may leave now.”
The self-esteem Katie had clung to for so long felt like it was being crushed. Suddenly, her face went white, and she felt like she couldn’t breathe.
Gripping the thermos tightly, Katie bolted from Cornell’s ward, tears streaming down her face as she ran, nearly colliding with Audrey, who was carrying soup.
Audrey managed to avoid Katie just in time, but the soup spilled on the floor, scalding her feet.
“Are you blind?” Katie snapped at Audrey, her eyes red and teary.
She then stormed off, only to be stopped in her tracks by Audrey.
Facing Katie without a hint of fear, Audrey demanded, “Say you’re sorry.”
Despite being the one at fault for the confrontation, Katie refused to apologize to Audrey who was under the disguise of the medical attire.
With all the anger and sadness simmering in her heart, Katie decided to lash out at Audrey, whom she assumed was a nurse.
Her fury boiling over, Katie dropped her facade and snapped, “Who do you think you are?”
In a fit of rage, Katie raised her hand to strike Audrey.
But before her hand could connect, someone firmly caught her wrist.
Looking up, she was met by Cornell’s stern gaze.
“Bang!” Suddenly, Katie was sent sprawling to the floor.
Katie stared up at Cornell in disbelief, unable to fathom why he would treat her like this just to defend a nurse.
Cornell barely glanced her way, his attention fixed on Audrey’s slightly red fingers, his gaze filled with concern. “Are you okay?
Did you burn yourself?”
Cornell had never spoken to Katie with such warmth, nor had he ever looked at her so kindly.
Katie was taken aback. She even forgot her tears. She had always seen Cornell as distant. But it was only when she observed his tenderness for another woman that she understood she had never been the recipient of his gentle side.
Audrey shook her head. Her fingers weren’t burned. The pot was just heavy, and she had been holding it for too long. Yet, she didn’t overlook the need for an apology. She stated firmly, “You’re not leaving until you say you’re sorry!”
Audrey had prepared nutritious soup for Cornell. And now, it was spoiled because of Katie who dared to point accusing fingers at her and even wanted to slap her.
At this time, Katie had risen to her feet. Around others, she refused to show her vulnerability. She had to keep up her air of superiority.
Katie looked at Audrey, wearing black-framed glasses and medical attire, and sensed that something was off.
“Sorry, that wasn’t my intention,” Katie quickly regained her composure and offered an apology.
Then, turning to Cornell with a smile, Katie said, “Cornell, it’s a good thing you held me back just now, or I might have accidentally hurt this woman.”
Audrey was taken aback by Katie’s ability to spin a tale. Cornell had done more than holding Katie back. Given the loud crash when Katie stumbled, Audrey doubted it was merely an attempt to hold her back.
Observing the unfolding situation and Cornell’s detached demeanor, Audrey started to believe Katie wasn’t Cornell’s fianc?e. It seemed like the whole story was a fabrication by Katie.
Since Katie had apologized and made her claim, Cornell didn’t press the issue. He turned to Audrey and simply said, “Let’s go inside.”
They then proceeded into the ward.
Katie watched them enter, finally pinpointing what was amiss. The shoes of the woman in medical attire caught her attention. They seemed custom-made, far too pricey for a nurse’s salary.
Remembering Cornell’s tenderness and his concern from earlier, a name came to Katie’s mind. That supposed nurse should be Audrey. She suddenly felt a wave of calm. After years of pure affection for Cornell, she was now driven to employ tactics against him.
Around the corner, Katie’s phone began to ring. She answered it.
“Miss, we’ve located Cecilia.”
“Where is her?” Katie asked flatly.
The other end of the line was silent for a moment before answering, “Velvet Alley.”
Katie’s expression turned cold upon hearing this. She had heard of this place before. It was like a living hell. lives there were nothing less than tortures.
Katie didn’t expect Cornell to be this ruthless. After all, Cecilia was said to be his first love.
The other end of the line spoke again. “Miss, Cecilia is not in good condition. Shall we save her?”
Katie smiled and said, “Yes, save her. Then, leave her alone.”
“Okay, Miss.”
Katie then hung up the phone. Her hands subconsciously clenched into fists. They were so tight that her nails dug into her palms. The viciousness in her eyes could make people involuntarily shiver.