Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Abel’s mouth was filled with blood, making it hard to talk, yet he endured the pain, kneeling and replying, “Got it, Miss.”
Suddenly, Katie remembered something and inquired coldly, “Did you look into Cecilia’s case?”
“I did. She’s currently undergoing treatment and will be sentenced next month.”
Katie nodded. “And her mouth?”
“All taken care of. I almost had to cut her tongue out. She was terrified, and now she’s lost her mind.”
Abel had made his move in the hospital, sneaking in under cover of darkness to forcibly remove Cecilia’s tongue and scare her with a knife. He warned Cecilia against speaking of things she shouldn’t, leaving Cecilia so scared that she wet the bed and lost her sanity.
If Cecilia ended up losing her mind, it might even be a mercy since it could allow her a few more days of life before her end.
Katie was indifferent to what became of Cecilia, concerned only with whether Cecilia had been silenced.
Actually, Katie didn’t wish for Cecilia’s death, wanting Cecilia to burn through her remaining passion before her time came. Katie wanted Cecilia to show her last bit of usefulness before meeting the end.
Katie brutally stepped on Abel’s hand, commanding, “Get out!”
Despite the humiliation and pain, Abel didn’t show it. Even then, his eyes were filled with unwavering infatuation as he got up and respectfully made his exit.
Katie never questioned Abel’s loyalty. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have picked him to be by her side.
Abel was sort of good-looking, his dark skin giving him a striking and robust appearance, like a rugged man touched by wilderness. If in a different position, Katie might appreciate him. It was unfortunate that Abel was born into such a lowly status, only fit to be stepped on by her.
Katie got up and moved toward the mirror, slowly lifting her clothes to reveal her flat belly. She patted her belly and walked around, mimicking those pregnant women.
After a few steps, she peered at her reflection, her eyes narrowing into a sly and somewhat eerie smile. She had everything ready. This time, she was determined to have Cornell’s child. Cornell would always belong to her… Forever!
The next day was the weekend.
Audrey was at home, enjoying breakfast with Janey.
Just as the table was set, the doorbell rang.
Before Annis could reach the door, Janey had already jumped off her chair and dashed to the entrance.
Audrey was curious about who it might be when she noticed Cornell entering with Janey in his arms.
Noticing Audrey’s less-than-thrilled look, Janey quickly came up with an excuse and said in a soothing tone, “Mommy, I asked daddy to come over. Can he have breakfast with me?”
Audrey and Cornell had made a pact not to fight or show any upset feelings in front of Janey. So Audrey forced a smile and replied softly, “Of course, Janey.”
While still held by Cornell, Janey stretched out her arms to wrap around Audrey’s neck, planting a small kiss on her. “I love you, mommy!” she declared in her tender voice.
This gesture brought Audrey and Cornell a bit closer.
As Audrey raised her head, she accidentally collided with Cornell’s chin.
Cornell gazed at Audrey with a look full of intensity, quickly reaching out to caress her head, asking with a concerned tone, “Are you okay?”
Janey, still in Cornell’s embrace, instructed, “Daddy, give mommy a kiss. It always makes me feel better when mommy kisses me.”
Audrey was at a loss for words, racking her mind to find an excuse to decline.
The atmosphere turned slightly awkward.
Seeing Cornell hesitate, Janey became restless, thinking how silly he was being. “Daddy, kiss mommy,” she encouraged, looking expectantly at Cornell.
With Janey’s eager eyes on him, Cornell’s expression softened as he carefully leaned down.
Cheek-kissing was a pretty normal way of greeting.
Yet, Audrey slightly bowed her head and dodged Cornell’s kiss. She tenderly pinched Janey’s cheek, gently placed her on the ground, and said with a smile, “I told you I’m fine. Now go wash your hands and join us for breakfast.”
Although Janey felt a little letdown, the thought of having breakfast with Cornell made her happy. She eagerly replied, “Okay, mommy.”
The moment Janey stepped out, Audrey’s smile disappeared, and she asked with a cold tone, “Cornell, what do you really want?”
That barrier Audrey put up, that distance, tugged at Cornell’s heartstrings, causing him a deep, raw ache. With a raspy voice, he replied, “I just want to have breakfast with Janey.”
Audrey saw right through his act. It was clear as day that he was using Janey as an excuse to be near her.
With a frosty expression, Audrey stated, “Cornell, I only agreed to let you pick up and drop off Janey for school, but not to barge into our lives whenever you please.”
The way she said “our” clearly left Cornell, the father, out in the cold.
His voice dry with emotion, Cornell earnestly said, “Audrey, I really want to spend more time with Janey. I’ve missed out on five years and I can’t afford to lose another moment. I want to cherish every chance I get to see her.”
Of course, it wasn’t just about Janey. Cornell longed to see Audrey.
He even wished the three of them could reunite as a family. Yet, he kept these thoughts to himself, knowing how difficult it was to even get this close. If he mentioned it, Audrey might refuse to let him even glance at Janey’s face.
Audrey knew Cornell’s words made sense. Besides, he had promised not to fight with her over Janey’s custody, rendering her with no grounds to prevent the father-daughter encounters. Thus, despite her wish to steer clear from Cornell, she had allowed Cornell to interact with Janey, knowing how much merrier Janey was with Cornell being around.
After wrestling with her thoughts for a moment, Audrey ended the conversation by demanding, “Leave after you’ve eaten.”
A wave of sorrow hit Cornell, his brows furrowing.
Amid the breakfast with Cornell sitting next to her, Janey was exceptionally energetic.
Audrey poured a glass of Janey’s favorite milk for her.
Janey didn’t hesitate to share half the milk with Cornell, her voice filled with sweetness. “Daddy, you should try this. It’s my favorite.”
Recalling Cornell’s distaste for milk, Audrey interjected, “Janey, he doesn’t enjoy milk…”
Audrey stopped mid-sentence, her face suddenly flushing red. Damn it!
Why was she concerned about his taste in food? Why did she still remember his preferences so clearly?
Caught off guard, Cornell smiled and accepted the milk, drinking it with elegance.
Janey looked at him eagerly. “Daddy, do you like it? Mommy pour it for us.”
Cornell carefully wiped Janey’s mouth with a napkin, his touch gentle and his eyes full of love. “Of course.”
He glanced at Audrey and added softly, “Your mommy has a knack for choosing irresistibly tasty food.”
Hearing this, a hint of annoyance crossed Audrey’s face, irked by his boldness. Who needed his sudden praise? Yet, that Cornell seemed naturally good at caring for a child surprised him. Janey seemed much livelier in his presence.
Audrey then thought of the psychologist’s suggestion about Janey’s condition, asserting that Janey needed a father figure, one that she approved of and liked. It appeared Cornell was just the one Janey needed, demonstrated by Janey’s willingness to call Cornell “daddy” on her own.
Yet, Audrey couldn’t fathom the cause behind it. Why did Janey take a special liking to Cornell? Was there any truth to the saying that blood ties were the strongest?
“Daddy… Janey’s soft call snapped Audrey back to reality.
Audrey noticed Cornell’s shirt and pants were marked with milk stains.
“Sorry, daddy…” Janey looked upset. Thinking Cornell enjoyed the milk, she intended to fetch one more glass for him. Unexpectedly, the glass slipped from her grip and fell to the ground, pieces of shattered glass around and spilled milk on Cornell’s clothes. An anxious Janey hastily bent down to tidy up the mess, her hand cut by a piece of shattered glass before Cornell’s intervention.
Cornell, not bothered by the stains on his clothes, asked Janey with a concerned look, his voice low and tinged with worry, “Are you hurt?”
Audrey felt the same worry. Her first thought was whether Janey had gotten hurt by the glass or something.
“Janey…”” Audrey wanted to check on Janey, but Cornell had already grabbed Janey’s hands for scrutinization.
With his head bowed, Cornell leaned back slightly to avoid the milk stains on his clothes contacting Janey.
Right then, Annis approached with a medical kit, offering, “Mr. Clement, let me help.”
Annis tried to take Janey, but Cornell kept grabbing Janey’s hand, simply extending his hand for the medical kit. “Just hand it over.”
Concerned Cornell might not handle Janey’s wound correctly, Audrey said to Annis, “I’ll handle it.”
Annis handed the medical kit to Audrey. Audrey bent down slightly as she took care of Janey’s would. As she did, Audrey’s arm brushed Cornell’s sleeve occasionally, but she didn’t pay it much mind.
Cornell’s gaze, filled with immense tenderness, watched Audrey silently. Ever since Audrey regained her memory, being able to interact peacefully with her was beyond his wildest dreams. He selfishly wished time would slow down.
Feeling the love and care from her two favorite people, Janey beamed, waving her unaffected hand dismissively. “Mommy, daddy, I’m good.”
The swift treatment defied the impact of the cut to Janey’s hand.
Both Cornell and Audrey let out a relieved exhale.
Annis quickly grabbed Janey and suggested to Cornell, “Mr. Clement, perhaps you need to change your clothes.”
Audrey felt the name way. She was just about to offer to pay for his ruined outfit when Janey chimed in, “Daddy, the clothes mommy made for Erick are upstairs. You can go and change into them.”
Audrey was amused by Janey’s eager suggestion. She still remembered Cornell was particular about his clothing, always choosing high-end, custom-made pieces from his favorite Italian brand.