Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Audrey was taken aback by his gesture of gratitude, appreciating that he did not take her previous effort and sacrifice for granted. It warmed her heart slightly, diminishing the faint sense of bitterness she once harbored.
Seeing Audrey caught in her thoughts, Cornell teased her by pinching her cheek, adopting a playful tone, “I promise to treat you well from now on.”
“Who said I want that?” Audrey, cheeks flushed, kept feeding Cornell.
Cornell, compliant, didn’t speak up until he finished his porridge.
“You never said that. I just want to treat you well.”
“What?” For a moment, Audrey lost track of their conversation.
Cornell, holding her face gently, emphasized each word, “I want to be good to you.”
Feeling her earlobes burn with embarrassment, Audrey turned away, swiftly changing the subject. “How did you convince my brother?”
Under his gaze, her blush deepened, highlighting the rosy warmth of her earlobes.
Cornell leaned in, unable to hold back, and gently kissed her.
“Ah…” Audrey let out a soft murmur, her hands flying to cover her ears, feeling a warmth spread through her palms.
Just as she was about to express her annoyance, Cornell piqued her curiosity, “Do you want to know?”
Her curiosity peaked, and Audrey couldn’t help but nod eagerly.
With a chuckle, Cornell teasingly pinched her chin, cloaking his response in mystery. “It’s a secret.”
Audrey found herself at a loss for words, her emotions a mix of amusement and slight irritation. Her thoughts raced. Had they struck some covert deal? Had her brother somehow betrayed her trust? But it couldn’t be.
“I’ll reveal it in time,” Cornell assured her, noticing her sulking expression.
“And how long will that be?” she pressed, her curiosity unabated.
His gaze intensified as he whispered, “When you agree to be my wife.”
Once again, Audrey was left speechless. “Dream on! Who wants to be your wife?” she shot back, feigning indignation.
Cornell, unfazed by her retort, simply smiled and gazed at her fondly.
“Well, you never said that. But I truly want you to be my wife…”
He paused deliberately before continuing, “My love story is with you Audrey found herself at a loss for words. “Why did he seem unfazed by my retort?” she asked herself silently.
The scent of Cornell’s fresh bath lingered, suggesting a closeness that made Audrey’s heart race. She averted her gaze swiftly, her pulse quickening.
Cornell noticed her shyness and, with a smile, stepped back, heading to the bathroom to wash up.
Meanwhile, Audrey turned her attention to the grapes on the bedside table, beginning to peel and eat them. As Cornell emerged, she casually asked, “Do you want one?”
Right after those words escaped her lips, Audrey realized Cornell might have just brushed his teeth in the bathroom. So, she continued to pop the grapes into her mouth. The grapes burst with sweetness, its juice glossing her lips.
Cornell leaned in, unable to resist. “I’d like some,” he declared.
With flushed cheeks and grapes still in her mouth, Audrey hesitated.
“There…” Before she could finish, her words were silenced by his kiss.
“Hmm… Her protest was muffled as Cornell’s kiss deepened, his tongue seeking the sweet grapes, sharing the flavor.
Overwhelmed, Audrey’s mind emptied, her gaze locked on his, lost in the unexpected intensity of the moment.
Cornell’s Adam’s apple moved noticeably as he savored the grapes, his gaze locking onto Audrey.
In her daze, Audrey felt he was not just absorbing the grapes but her entire being. Her cheeks were aflame, her heart racing uncontrollably.
Unbeknownst to her, the bashfulness in her eyes was captivating to him. Cornell’s next action was swift. He caught her wrist, drawing her close to him.
“Hey!” Audrey exclaimed, suddenly finding herself secured by his embrace. She resisted, pushing against his chest, her voice tinged with frustration. “Why did you kiss me?”
Cornell, undeterred by her squirming, responded, “It’s part of the dance of dating. Kisses, hugs, and what follows…” His stare was piercing, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions.
Audrey’s cheeks burned even hotter under his scrutinizing look. She countered, “That’s not right! It should start with holding hands, then hugging, and kissing comes last, doesn’t it?”
“No problem at all,” Cornell conceded with ease. “We’ll go at your pace.”
Audrey was speechless, her eyes widened. “I didn’t agree to date you!” she managed to say, her mind racing. Cornell was cunning, adept at laying snares.
“I’ve already received your brother’s blessing.” Cornell gazed at her intently, his eyes conveying a message. Erick’s consent for Audrey’s visit was, in essence, a silent approval.
Audrey, feeling cornered, retorted, “If my brother has given his blessing, maybe you should be courting him!”
Cornell’s expression hardened, his grip tightening on the back of her neck as he drew her closer, his voice laced with a hint of menace.
“You’re the one I desire!” The raw desire in his eyes was unmistakable, making Audrey shiver slightly.
Audrey managed to say, “I never say yes to you.”
“Why? No to what?” Cornell pressed, his voice rough, causing her to flush a vivid shade of red. His smile was meaningful, seemingly enjoying making her shy.
With a mix of indignation and embarrassment, Audrey muttered, “Just…
I… Not sharing a bed…”
“So, hugs and kisses are permissible?” Cornell raised his eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice as he noted. “Understood.”
Audrey was astounded by his ability to warp her words, her frustration boiling over. “None of that is okay!”
With a look that seemed to delve into her soul, Cornell softly challenged, “Consider our current proximity and then reconsider your words, okay?”
Looking down, Audrey realized the compromising nature of their closeness, her position on his lap underscoring the intimacy they shared. Their bodies were closely aligned, generating a noticeable warmth. Worse, he refused to let her go.
With a softer tone, Audrey voiced her frustration, “You’re way too controlling.”
“I’ll heed your wishes from this point forward,” Cornell promised.
Audrey harbored doubts about his assurance.
True to form, he soon added, his voice raspy, “I’ll give you a heads-up before I kiss you.”
Finding herself at a loss for words, Audrey chose silence over continued debate. Experience had taught her that arguing with him was an exercise in futility.
“Are you upset with me again?” Cornell inquired, noting her stoic expression. He attempted to lighten the mood, “I’m only teasing.”
In reality, Audrey’s frustration wasn’t directed at him but at herself. The turmoil within her was hers alone to understand. Her feelings were gradually evolving, a change that filled her with unease.
Cornell, interpreting her silence as her refusal to his advances, tentatively asked, “”Audrey, surely I’m not so disagreeable that you can’t stand me, am I?”
For a brief moment, Audrey didn’t know how to respond, biting her lip and contradicting her true feelings. “Perhaps it’s because I don’t like you..
Her words struck Cornell deeply as if a needle had pricked his heart.
He was acutely aware that the Audrey who once adored him was long gone. Yet, this didn’t deter him. He was determined to win Audrey back, despite her memory loss of their shared past.
“I can be patient…” he whispered, willing to wait for her affection to rekindle. As he gently rested his chin atop her head, his usual playful tone was replaced by one tinged with sadness.
At that moment, Audrey felt an unexpected twinge of sorrow, as though she was tapping into his grief. She quickly brushed aside these contemplations, stating, “I need to leave now.”
The constraints set by Erick were clear, and she couldn’t afford to overstay.
Cornell looked up, his voice rough with emotion. “Just a little longer. let me hold you.”
They embraced in silence, their connection pausing the world around them. It was as if, for that moment, they were the only two people in existence.
Audrey could sense the depth of his longing to keep her close as if wishing to merge her into his very being.
Cornell insisted on driving Audrey home. Eventually, Audrey conceded, stepping into his car, her own driver trailing behind them.
In the shadows, a black luxury car harbored a pair of eyes watching them intently, emanating a chilling hostility.
Cornell’s car and Audrey’s left one after another.
On the other hand, the black car remained to where it was parked.
Inside this car, the bodyguard in black turned to the back seat and asked, “Sir, do you want to follow them?”
The mysterious man in the back seat rested his slender fingers against his chin. He was pale as a ghost. A hideous scar on the corner of his mouth extended upwards as if it pierced through his entire face. Even the shape of the scar was terrifying.
He looked like a clown doll whose face was torn by something and sewn back together.
It took a while before the man answered, “No need.” His voice was hoarse and dry. Obviously, his vocal cords were severely damaged.