Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“So what? Sure, Mr. Clement may have flirted with me, but he’s not interested in you!” The woman’s fury twisted her features as she retorted without holding back, “And who’s to say how many have flirted with you in secret? Drop the innocent act! You’re no high-class prostitute…”
Fuming over how close her schemes could have made it earlier, only to be thwarted by Audrey, the woman Lifted her hand in a huff, prepared to hurl the drink at Audrey.
But Audrey caught the woman’s wrist just in time. “Whether I’m respectable or not isn’t your place to say,” Audrey stated calmly.
Her wrist held by Audrey, the woman could only stare as Audrey tipped her hand, the drink she meant to pour at Audrey dousing herself instead.
After releasing the woman, Audrey watched as the glass clattered to the floor. “Just remember, careless words come with consequences,” she cautioned.
The woman stood drenched and disheveled, her wrist throbbing. She was not sensible enough to read the room and continued to insult Audrey “I struck a nerve, huh? All you dolled-up ladies are just the same..”
“Enough!” Cornell’s voice cut through the air, deep and on the verge of erupting.
The woman smirked. “Looks like he’s telling you to zip it Cornell was beside himself with fury. What a moron this woman was!
He blurted out, “Idiot!”
Mr. Ortega, sensing the growing tension, regretted his decision to involve the woman, a choice he aimed to please Cornell instead of upsetting him. Attempting to diffuse the situation, he joked, “Well, Mr. Clement’s allure is really irresistible. See, these two stunning women are vying for his attention. That’s something most of us can only dream of!”
The room filled with laughter at Mr. Ortega’s attempt to lighten the mood.
The laughter and jesting continued around them.
“It’s a rare sight indeed.”
“Sure, if Mr. Clement weren’t here, maybe the rest of us would stand a chance. But with him around, we’re all out of luck.”
The men’s jokes, fueled by alcohol, took a dive into coarseness.
Meanwhile, Audrey felt lost, unable to pinpoint who Cornell was rebuking. Feeling out of place, she questioned the point of this squabble. Engaging in a spat with a woman and being perceived as envious by onlookers felt utterly foolish to her.
Audrey turned to Cornell, her heart cooling. “Cornell, are you ready to give up without any inquiry?”
Cornell’s expression grew stern, as if he couldn’t tolerate her presence here anymore.
Audrey bit her lip, fighting back her tears. “Fine by me. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be. It’s best we don’t waste our time.”
Cornell’s fists clenched, a surge of distress washing over him. Not to waste time? Was Audrey implying he shouldn’t squander hers?
“And about Stefan, we’re just acquaintances. Our meeting was coincidental, not what you might assume.” Audrey’s initial confidence had ebbed away, leaving her in doubt. She wondered if Cornell cared about her explanation.
Despite her discomfort, Audrey felt compelled to clarify her intentions for being here. She wanted to end the confusion that had lingered over the past few days.
Having said her piece, Audrey turned briskly and exited, leaving a stunned Cornell behind.
Cornell blinked. What did Audrey just reveal? She and Stefan were simply friends? Indeed, just friends!
The woman heavily dolled up, sighed in relief as Audrey left. She acknowledged her inability to rival Audrey. She sauntered over to Cornell, her tone dripping with flirtation, “Mr. Clement, now that I’ve removed that nuisance for you, what’s my prize?”
It wasn’t uncommon for a man of Cornell’s means to be surrounded by a bevy of women. The woman knew too well that rich men were always after those young and naive girls. Once boredom set in, even the most stunning beauty lost her allure. Therefore, the woman’s strategy was to be accommodating, skilled, and charming to keep a man’s interest.
“Mr. Clement, would you grace me with the pleasure of a drink together?”
The woman edged closer, her scent overpowering.
Cornell’s face turned icy, and he swiftly brushed the drink off her hand.
Caught off guard, the woman tripped and landed awkwardly on the floor.
Cornell, towering and stern, cast a scornful glance over the crowd and stated firmly, “Just so we’re clear, I was the one chasing her!
I pleaded for her company!”
His words echoed, laden with significance, stunning the onlookers, particularly Mr. Ortega, who regretted his actions deeply. He had never intended to cross the woman Cornell favored!
Mr. Ortega, who had his own requests for Cornell, now just hoped to avoid Cornell’s ire.
The woman, still on the floor, attempted to catch Mr. Ortega’s attention with a sweet call, “Mr. Ortega!”
The woman felt her last bit of hope dwindled, yet she reached out for any remaining chance.
Mr. Ortega found the woman incredibly vexing. He knew angering Cornell could lead to serious consequences. His face twisted in annoyance, and he pushed the woman aside with force. “Get lost! Bitch!”
Audrey didn’t waste any time in catching a taxi.
Just as the taxi began to drive away, a voice echoed from behind.
“Audrey!”
The taxi driver glanced at Audrey in the rearview mirror, questioning, “Is that man calling out for you?”
Audrey’s response was frosty. “No, let’s just keep going.” She was determined to avoid any further entanglement with Cornell since she had said her pieces.
The driver followed her instructions and drove away.
Not long after, a sudden roar interrupted their way.
The taxi screeched to a stop.
Cornell’s car door flung open, revealing his determined figure.
The taxi driver, anxious, said, “Miss, this could be trouble.”
Cornell approached the taxi, tapping on the window, trying to get inside. He glared at the driver, his voice cold. “Open the door.”
The driver felt immense pressure. He never thought he’d be intimidated by a young man’s stare.
Despite his nervousness, the driver stood firm, reassuring Audrey, “Don’t worry. I won’t let him in.” His voice betrayed his fear.
The driver pulled out his phone, ready to make an emergency call in Cornell’s presence.
Audrey acknowledged the driver’s kindness and didn’t want to alarm him or cause trouble for him. So she reassured him, “Sir, relax.
He’s someone I know.”
“He’s someone you know?” The driver was about to dial the number, but upon hearing this, he swiftly canceled the call.
“Yes, just lower the window. I need to talk to him,” Audrey confirmed.
Once the window was down, Cornell outside wasted no time. “I was in Ashfield last night.”
Cornell’s voice got rough. “I got it wrong.”
Although they cleared the misunderstanding, Audrey felt slighted.
This made her realize there were too many issues between them. The lack of trust was disheartening. Trying anything without sorting this mess would be reckless.
“Hmm, gotcha,” Audrey said.
Cornell hesitated, murmuring an apology, “I’m sorry…”
She replied calmly, “Okay, I accept it. Can I go now?”
Cornell stood there, his tall figure immobile. With the misunderstanding cleared, he didn’t want to let her leave. He asserted, “Come with me.”
Audrey found his words bold. “Mr. Clement, there are women waiting for your attention. Don’t joke around with me.”
“What women?” Cornell asked.
“Drop the act. The woman in the chamber was eagerly vying for your attention. Please don’t waste your time on me,” she shot back.
A smile crossed Cornell’s face.
Audrey felt something wasn’t right. Was she sounding jealous?
Cornell felt considerably relieved, explaining, “I don’t mess around with other women. I’m not that kind of guy.”
Audrey turned her gaze away, expressing indifference, “Your actions are none of my concern.”
“Why wouldn’t it matter to you?” Lowering his voice, aware of the taxi driver nearby, Cornell insisted, “You’re the only one for me.
There’s nobody else.”
Audrey, initially angry, now felt her cheeks grow warm. She dismissed his words, “Stop talking nonsense.”
Cornell looked somewhat hurt, reminding her, “You just said you wanted to give us a try.”
Audrey immediately regretted her previous words. “Forget that idea.
It’s off the table.”