Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Then, Cornell pulled with all his might, drawing Audrey into a tight embrace. They seemed to fuse together. They were tightly wrapped around each other.
“Bang!” A loud noise echoed through the air.
They hit the water hard, causing massive ripples.
As the current swept them along, Audrey’s stiff body suddenly eased.
It was water! They were in water! They wouldn’t die.
Audrey had always doubted her swimming skills, but once submerged, she instinctively rose to the surface, driven by a familiar sensation.
In a panic, she yelled out, “Cornell!”
The water was eerily quiet.
Audrey took a deep breath, diving back into the depths to find him desperately.
Then, suddenly, she was lifted above the water.
Cornell, his hair drenched, swept it back, looking strikingly handsome with droplets cascading off him. He brought her to the shore and said softly, “I’m here.”
Audrey was momentarily stunned and wrapped her arms around him tightly, breaking down in tears. “You… You had scared me!”
She sobbed and choked, filled with fear. Cornell was unbelievable! He actually jumped down with her!
She gently pounded on his shoulders, her anger mixed with relief.
“You’re crazy, truly crazy…”
After expressing her frustration, she managed a grateful smile.
“Thank goodness you’re okay…”
Seeing her cry and then laugh, Cornell couldn’t help but smile. Next, he wrapped his arms around her in a firm embrace. “I’m not losing my mind. I’d lose my mind without you.”
Audrey felt a turmoil stir within her. It felt like a crack had opened.
Cornell held Audrey tightly, his eyes filled with intensity.
Audrey sensed he was shaking. She blinked, unsure of what to make of it at first. It took her a moment to understand. He was scared!
Cornell’s voice was rough. “Audrey, promise me you’ll never leave me.”
“I…” Audrey was still stunned.
Cornell abruptly released her, his gaze dark and chilling. “Promise me!” His tone was commanding with a hint of anger. His frustration was evident! Now that danger was past, it was time to address the issue.
Audrey grasped what had frightened him and softened her tone as she said, “I promise.”
Yet, his stern look remained unchanged, his irritation not soothed.
He pinched her cheek, his gaze icy and piercing. “When you risked your life to save the little boy, did you even consider…”
Cornell meant to ask Audrey whether she had considered him.
Hesitating, he reframed his question. “Did you think of Janey?”
Cornell’s pinch stung. Yet, Audrey didn’t flinch, letting him vent his frustration. “I did think it through. My actions weren’t meant to be reckless. It was a misjudgment.”
If only she had acted quicker, she might have climbed up the tree with Misael.
At the thought of Misael, she asked, “What about the young boy?”
Cornell’s patience snapped when he realized she was still worried about others. He icily replied, “He’s gone!”
After saying this, he relaxed his hold on her and turned to walk further into the dense forest. It seemed like he didn’t want to see her.
“Cornell…” Audrey grasped the cause of his irritation and hurried after him, her voice soft and soothing.
But Cornell seemed to not hear her, his expression stern as he strode forward.
Audrey’s calves ached. They had been battered by the rocks, Likely bruised. The quick pace only intensified her discomfort.
“Ah…” Unable to keep up, she let out a sharp cry of pain, louder than needed.
Cornell stopped in his tracks and turned back, concern evident as he grasped her shoulders. “What happened?”
Standing there, Cornell Looked dignified and imposing, with a natural sharpness to his features. Disheveled or not, he was undeniably handsome.
Audrey rose on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “Cornell, don’t be mad at me, okay?”
Audrey acted almost without thinking. In that split second, she treated Cornell the way she would adopt with Janey. When comforting words didn’t work, actions of confessing love could do the trick.
Yet, after her kiss, Cornell still maintained his poker face, leaving Audrey felt incredibly awkward. Was he still upset? What more she could do?
As Audrey contemplated her next moves, Cornell looked down at her and suddenly hugged her tightly.
Audrey was taken aback for a moment but quickly raised her arms to hug him back.
Then, she recalled the rocks had hit his back when they fell.
Without thinking, she tried to push Cornell away to check his injury.
But he wouldn’t let her, hugging her even tighter.
Cornell looked into her eyes and said, “If you hate me, push me away.”
Audrey’s arms stopped midair. She didn’t try to push him away anymore.
Cornell whispered, his voice low and rich, right by her ear, “Audrey, I love you.”
The surrounding noise seemed to pause at that moment.
Audrey’s hands shook, and she asked, confused, “Why…” She meant to ask why did he confess his love for her at a time like this.
Cornell’s voice shook a bit as he said softly, “I was scared I’d never get the chance to tell you. Just actions aren’t enough. I truly love you.”
Audrey was stunned, unsure of how to react. Feeling a mix of emotions, from being touched to feeling guilty, she felt she should respond somehow. “Thank you.”
Cornell wished to convey that he wasn’t after her gratitude, but her love. Yet, he wondered if expressing such a desire would come off as too demanding. His deep eyes locked onto hers, his voice low and earnest. “Audrey, promise me you won’t leave my side again, okay?”
The man who usually appeared so confident and in control was now asking her with such humility.
Audrey experienced a turmoil inside. From the instant Cornell risked himself saving her, she had let go of the past and decided against dwelling on those disheartening issues.
In the past, Audrey repeatedly warned herself not to fall for Cornell again, those painful moments serving as a painful reminder. Yet, the more she restrained herself, the more her emotions grew wildly within her.
Upon her return, as they resolved their misunderstandings one after the other, Audrey couldn’t help but develop feelings for Cornell.
Cornell had always been there for her, supporting her quietly and treating her kindly all this time. Even when she was put off by his controlling nature, he made efforts to change for the better.
Since her feelings for him were undeniable, why not just give them a shot? Instead of dwelling on the past, she decided to follow her heart. Perhaps time would tell whether they were meant to be.
Regardless of the outcome, at least they tried to get along, preventing the regret from entering the picture.
Finally, with a newfound resolution, Audrey gave a soft yet decisive nod. “Cornell, let’s give us a shot.”
“What did you say?” Cornell couldn’t believe his ears and put his hand near her mouth. “Bite me. I’m not sure if I’m dreaming or having an illusion”
He seemed to be overwhelmed by the happiness brought by her words, feeling the joy was surreal.
A twinge of pain touched Audrey’s heart, her eyes shining. “Cornell, don’t make me sad again.” She didn’t want her trust in him to be misplaced.
Cornell’s eyes gleamed, his mouth shut tight, as he chose to remain silent. The next moment, he bent down quickly, drew her in, and gave her a gentle, lingering kiss.
Following the kiss, he cupped Audrey’s face, his voice rough with emotion. “I’ll love you every moment until the end of my days.”
Audrey wasn’t fond of such talk. They had just agreed to give their relationship a try. Such promise seemed to weigh too much.
She looked up at him. “Please, don’t talk like that.”
Cornell simply smiled and held her closer, resting his head on her shoulder.
Then, Audrey felt her neck wet. She trembled slightly and realized he had shed a tear. Without uttering a word, she embraced him tightly.
Only when her hand brushed against his skin did she pause and pull away, her voice filled with worry, “Cornell, is your back hurting?”
She vividly remembered the rock striking him. Cornell’s complexion had visibly paled from the blow.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Despite his pale face, Cornell managed a smile. “Just knowing you’re safe is all the healing I need.”