Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
After all, his attempts seemed in vain. Self-diminishment wasn’t a sustainable path.
The car was halted by a private villa, tucked away from sight. Black-clad bodyguards kept watch, ensuring tight security.
The isolated nature of the villa made Audrey uneasy as if it were a fortress holding Nicole captive.
At the gate, the guards recognized Cornell and allowed him through but hesitated with Audrey, proposing a security check.
Cornell’s look turned icy, his stare piercing, as he stated firmly, “She’s with me.”
This assertion made Audrey’s heart skip, her nerves tingling.
With the guards still uncertain, Cornell grasped Audrey’s hand, moved past them assertively, and pronounced, “I vouch for her.”
They proceeded indoors, his hand still clasping hers.
The warmth and softness of Audrey’s hand in Cornell’s felt unexpectedly comforting, like holding a marshmallow.
Ascending the stairs together, Audrey’s apprehension lingered, yet she didn’t pull away. At that brief moment, his firm hold provided a semblance of safety.
Upon entering a room upstairs, Audrey immediately noticed Jarrod’s stark departure from his usual robust demeanor. His complexion was pale like death, indicating his frail state.
This was Audrey’s first sight of Jarrod in such a weakened state with severe wounds.
Beside Jarrod’s bed sat Nicole.
Releasing Cornell’s hand, Audrey approached Nicole, her voice tinged with worry, and said, “Nicole..
Audrey halted at Nicole’s name, refraining from uttering more words unsuitable for the current situation.
Sensing the atmosphere, Jarrod arranged some refreshments for Audrey, suggesting a more casual setting for their talk.
As Nicole exited from the room, Jarrod’s stare followed her departure, intense and mysterious, almost unsettlingly.
Cornell settled into a chair, his voice laced with concern. “How are you holding up?”
Jarrod appeared nonchalant. “It’s not too bad. The wound just brushed against my stomach and missed any vital organs.”
Seeing the noticeable bite marks on Cornell’s face and recalling Cornell’s hand-in-hand entrance with Audrey, Jarrod probed, “Have things smoothed over between you two?”
Cornell’s annoyance was palpable. “Not quite.”
Jarrod managed a feeble grin. “Your issues with Audrey aren’t as complex as mine with Nicole. It’s mostly about misunderstandings.
Grasp the opportunity. Audrey isn’t too hard to win over.”
“Win her over?” Cornell’s brow creased, skeptical of the assertion.
He hadn’t made such efforts for other women, uncertain about what “not hard” entailed.
Jarrod noted, “You treated Cecilia well, and Audrey was understandin even forgiving. Doesn’t that show Audrey was not hard to win over?”
Cornell was puzzled. “I treated Cecilia well?”
Cornell believed that mere material provision wasn’t genuinely caring.
To him, money meant very little. It was with Audrey that he’d exerted real effort, persistently trying to make amends. Yet, Audrey seemed unappreciative, even diminishing his endeavors!
Adjusting his sore arm, Jarrod commented lightly, “I get it. To you, material support isn’t genuine care. But women often see it differently. Her frown is meaningful. It indicates jealousy, a sign you matter to her. They seldom admit it openly.”
Cornell felt somewhat reassured by these words. Maybe Audrey wasn’t as detached as she seemed. Whether she felt jealousy was uncertain, but maybe there was some underlying truth in her rebuttals.
Cornell, gazing at Jarrod’s pallid features, asked, “If you’re so insightful, why did things with Miss lawrence go so awry?”
“We’re not the same.” Jarrod sighed, his expression bitter. “The mistakes I’ve made are beyond repair.”
Cornell and the others were unaware of the intricacies of Jarrod’s corporate conflicts with the lawrence family and the plots intertwined with them. Jarrod chose to keep these details to himself.
Yet, the news of Wesson’s suicide shocked Jarrod’s close friends.
They weren’t sure if Jarrod was involved. If he was, that would be an inexcusable error.
Cornell suggested, “Jarrod, if there’s no fixing it, you should step back. Allow Miss lawrence to choose her path. Avoid further errors.”
Jarrod arched an eyebrow. “If I suggested you release Audrey, would you be able to do it?”
Cornell’s reply was firm. “I wouldn’t.” The thought of letting Audrey go, despite the agony it brought, was inconceivable to him.
Jarrod’s face hardened with resolve, his voice steadfast. “Likewise for me. Even at the cost of my life, I won’t let her go.”
Cornell had no counterarguments left. The concept of surrendering for the sake of love was an alien idea to Jarrod.
Cornell suspected it was just as foreign to him.
In the cozy living room, Audrey observed Nicole’s ashen face, her tone filled with concern. “Nicole, what really transpired?”
Nicole calmly stated, “It was I who inflicted the wound on him.”
“Was it unintentional?” Audrey struggled to digest this revelation.
Nicole was known for her levelheadedness, not for actions spurred by animosity.
“It happened by mistake,” Nicole clarified. A weight lifted from Audrey’s heart, albeit slightly.
As Nicole’s eyes welled up, she added, “Yet, at the instant I realized what I’d done, a part of me wished it was fatal.”
Audrey, visibly taken aback, grasped Nicole’s shoulders firmly.
“Nicole, no matter your hate for him, such actions are not the answer.”
Nicole wiped away her tears, smiling. “I won’t mess up. I promise.”
Nicole aimed to ease Audrey’s concerns. Her darker thoughts were hers alone, not to burden Audrey with.
Nicole was aware of Audrey’s nature. Had Audrey known her plans, Audrey would fret so much that she couldn’t sleep or eat.
Taking a deep breath, Audrey said, “Nicole, you’re intelligent. Don’t be harsh on yourself because of someone else’s wrongdoings.”
“I’m aware.” Nicole squeezed Audrey’s hand firmly, her face earnest.
“Audrey, I can’t do much at the moment. Can you help me out with something?”
Audrey gave a nod, signaling her agreement.
Nicole peeked around, ensuring their conversation remained private, and said in a low voice, “I’ve mailed a box of medication to your workshop, under your name. After three days, head the medication over to the alley beside 120 Ashfield, find a house marked by three red bricks, and give it to an old lady living there.”
Audrey felt confused, pondering why such medication had to be shrouded in mystery.
Audrey recalled Nicole had lost her family. Before the sorrowful demise of Wesson, Nicole’s kin, lured by selfish desires, had abandoned Nicole and her parents. Nicole hadn’t mentioned any old woman who was still in touch with her.
Nicole said, “Audrey, it’s vital that you tell no one about this, Cornell included.” Considering Cornell and Jarrod’s tight bond, letting Cornell in on the plan would risk exposing Austin’s hideout.
Despite her bewilderment, Audrey took Nicole’s earnest request to heart. She promised softly, “I’ll make sure it’s delivered.”
Tears streamed down Nicole’s face as she barely got the words out, saying, “Audrey, I’m grateful. Whatever you see there, I’ll fill you in later.”
“Let’s leave gratitude out of this,” Audrey said.
“Be cautious of followers when you go. Jarrod’s got me worried..”
Audrey assured Nicole, “Understood.”
“The medicine has to be in that old woman’s hands within four days at most. It’s a life-saving medicine.”
Nicole placed her trust in Audrey. With Cornell’s support, Audrey could evade Jarrod’s wrath by keeping silent, should she get caught.
But the fate of others might not be so fortunate. Jarrod, driven by despair, could resort to anything.
Their quiet exchange was interrupted when the butler approached Nicole and said, “Miss lawrence, it’s time for Mr. Schultz’s medication.”
Nicole replied indifferently, “I’m aware.”
Sensing Nicole’s distress, Audrey patted her hand and said, “I’ll see if Cornell can help you get you out of here sooner.”
Nicole gently refused, “Audrey, don’t trouble yourself. He won’t release me.”
Audrey voiced her exasperation, “How can he keep you confined like this? Even without Cornell’s assistance, my brother could find you a lawyer to challenge him!”
“Audrey, it’s not as simple as that. I was the one who caused him harm. It’s only fair I look after him,” Nicole said, sparing Audrey the details of Jarrod’s more possessive tendencies.
Understanding Jarrod’s intractability, Audrey realized fretting over it was futile.