Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Still no sign of Cornell, Bryce impatiently instructed the staff, “Forget it. We’re not waiting any longer. Close the cabin door.”
The cabin door shut, and the plane took off.
Meanwhile, at Aurora’s private landing strip, a private jet from Ambrosia had just touched down.
The cabin door opened, and the handsome Cornell in a suit and Light-colored sunglasses stepped out.
The chilly weather in Aurora prompted his assistant to help him put on a navy blue wool overcoat before stepping off the plane. This addition enhanced his cool, aristocratic aura and emphasized his tall, slender figure.
It wasn’t until Cornell struggled slightly while bending his knee to step off the plane that onlookers realized he needed the golden cane he carried, not just for style, but for support.
The airport staff felt pity seeing such a handsome man needing assistance to walk.
Nonetheless, Cornell appeared unbothered to the stares. He walked confidently to the waiting car, using his cane, and someone opened the door for him.
Once inside, his assistant in the front seat handed him a phone, saying, “Mr. Clement, you have some missed calls.”
Cornell checked the log. Most were from Bryce, along with a few work-related ones.
There was a text message from Hector. “Have you arrived?”
Cornell replied, “Yes.”
Hector seemed to understand Cornell better than Bryce, who was oblivious to Cornell’s arrival in Aurora and had been complaining about Cornell’s absence on the flight.
In the car, Cornell was disinterested in Aurora’s unique architecture.
His thoughts were preoccupied with Audrey, and he was eager to ask her why she had left on the day of his surgery.
Meanwhile, Audrey’s wedding was being celebrated grandly at the Clifford family’s mansion.
It was only 8 o’clock, and not all the guests had arrived yet.
As the bride, Audrey had changed into her white wedding dress and was now seated, getting her makeup and hairstyle done by the stylist.
Due to her pregnancy, the stylist carefully added some non-irritating crystal decorations at the corners of her eyes, crafting a design that resembled winter plum blossoms in bloom.
Audrey’s lashes were naturally long, thick, and curly, eliminating the need for mascara or false lashes. The crystal details were sufficient to enhance her stunning appearance.
Subsequently, the stylist braided Audrey’s hair into a regal princess style. Paired with the crystal details on her face, she appeared almost celestial, as if she were not of this world.
The stylist then guided her to a full-length mirror. Her tiered, high-waist wedding gown skillfully hid her slightly showing belly. Unless the dress was lifted, it was hard to notice her pregnancy.
In the mirror, Audrey radiated a celestial glow. Her beautiful face was the centerpiece, with the wedding attire merely highlighting her inherent beauty.
Everyone who laid eyes on her couldn’t resist complimenting how beautiful she was, bringing much pride to the Clifford family.
“Beautiful, so beautiful! Miss Foster, you’re truly stunning!” the stylist exclaimed in awe. “The groom will be dazzled by you when he sees you. I’m quite sure.”
“Thank you,” Audrey said, expressing her gratitude.
“Please wait here. Your assistant is just outside. I’ll go call her in.”
After the stylist left, Audrey remained staring at her reflection in the mirror, deep in thought. This was her first time wearing a wedding gown.
When Audrey married Cornell for the first time, it was a secret marriage, commemorated only by a half-body photograph. There were eight prints of that photograph. She cherished them. In her heart, that photograph held as much significance as a traditional wedding gown portrait might have.
Back then, she had always dreamed of having a wedding photo shoot with the man she loved. Sadly, even until her divorce from Cornell, that dream never came true.
When they remarried, their relationship was burdened with misunderstandings. Neither was prepared to compromise and then her car incident happened. It was another unfortunate conclusion.
Later, Audrey watched as Katie dressed up a wedding dress for Cornell.
Although that wedding was part of Cornell’s schemes and he had no intention of really marrying Katie, Katie’s gown was genuine, so was his suit. Audrey couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness.
Now, it was her in the wedding dress, but the man beside her was not Cornell. They had both worn these sacred garments for the first time, yet not with each other.
It seemed like fate had sent them the wrong message right from the start. Despite this, she had stubbornly pushed forward, only to realize that sometimes stepping back, rather than moving forward, might lead to a better ending.
The door to the waiting room swung open.
Audrey’s gaze lifted from the mirror, and instead of Victor, it was Erick who entered.
The moment Erick saw Audrey, his eyes sparkled with clear admiration.
Audrey had a striking resemblance to Casey in this attire.
Casey, the lovely woman, had shown Erick so much warmth and tenderness, during which he learned what a mother’s love felt Like.
Audrey, noticing Erick’s silent stare, felt a hint of discomfort, wondering if something was wrong. “Erick, is something on your mind?”
Erick came back to reality and smiled. “Audrey, you look gorgeous.”
Accepting the compliment, Audrey remained composed and quietly responded, “Thank you, Erick.”
Observing her serene expression, devoid of any real joy, Erick felt a touch of sorrow. He sighed softly. “Audrey, even though this is all for show, I still feel sorry for you.”
Audrey shook her head. “It’s okay. I’ve been through two divorces already. Really, it’s Stefan who might find it more difficult, having to call me his wife.”
Erick compressed his lips. “He’s not finding it difficult at all. In fact, he’s been…”
Noticing Audrey’s confused look, Erick stopped. Audrey was too innocent to perceive Stefan’s feelings for her.
Erick could tell Stefan had a soft spot for Audrey, and knowing Stefan was a catch, he had even considered setting Stefan up with Audrey. However, Audrey was not interested in Stefan. Feelings couldn’t be forced. No amount of forced effort could spark genuine emotions. Moreover, Audrey didn’t need business marriage.
Erick simply wanted Audrey to be happy. Since she still had feelings for Cornell, he refrained from rushing her into any relationship or marriage. Even if she never married again, with him, their father, and her soon-to-arrive children to care for her, she would face no hardships.
“It’s fine. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Stefan wants to leave the Clifford family’s registry and start his own venture. The first requirement is marriage, otherwise, his father won’t release the necessary documents.” Erick reassured her, “You know him. He wouldn’t want to hurt anyone without a real attachment, and this situation helps him.”
Audrey nodded. “If Stefan finds someone he cares about in the future, and if she’s bothered by our past, I’ll definitely help clear things up.”
Erick nodded in agreement.
Audrey stared at the window, deep in thought. “Erick, do you really think we can find our mother this time?”
Erick looked down. “Don’t worry. We’ll find her.”
Audrey was supposed to fake a marriage with Stefan because Erick discovered that the criminal with the attempt on Audrey’s life at the International Banquet Center had ties to Aurora. However, the criminal was not related to the Maxwell family and lacked the Maxwell family’s clan tattoo.
In the one month since Audrey’s return, the mastermind had made some more murderous attempts against her. The determination to end Audrey was evident.
Erick’s investigations confirmed those assassins no ties to the Maxwell family, and the past bounty on Audrey had been revoked long ago. So who was so persistently trying to kill Audrey?
Just as Erick felt at a loss, Stefan reported that the special herb Erick had him to monitor had been purchased. The buyer, however, vanished without a trace into Ardlens.
Erick was restless. That herb, Angelica Sinensis, was a signal agreed between him, Audrey, and Casey, used whenever one encountered difficulties to signify the safety for now.
Now, only that herb had been bought, and it was the agreed-upon six grams. Six grams barely covered a single decoction, clearly Casey’s way of saying she was alive and in Aurora.
Erick was eager to fly to Ardlens immediately to investigate himself, but there were complications. Landen’s health was deteriorating, and Audrey was only two months away from giving birth.
Moreover, with the continuous threat of the assassins, leaving Audrey’s side even for a short period was risky.
Yet, missing this clue to Casey’s whereabouts might mean losing the chance forever.
The individual responsible for Casey’s disappearance was incredibly cunning, leaving no trace behind. Without this clue with the herb, they would have no leads to pursue Casey’s whereabouts. Lingering in Swynborough meant the risk of missing another signal from Casey.
At this critical moment, Stefan suggested a strategic plan. Given the constant threat of assassins targeting Audrey, making her presence in Aurora public seemed like a wise choice. By joining the Clifford family, Audrey would be under the protection of one of Aurora’s toughest clans, where born assassins would hesitate to strike.
The Clifford family was renowned for its tight security. No outsider could easily enter.
Those assassins couldn’t break into the Clifford family’s mansion to harm Audrey, and once they heard she was joining the Clifford family, it would signal Casey to reach out to them somehow.
Additionally, as Stefan’s brother-in-law, Erick could stay in Aurora to secretly look into Casey’s situation and uncover who was after Audrey.
Meanwhile, Stefan would accomplish his goal of establishing his own through this marriage, breaking away from his ties as the Clifford family’s heir and gaining the independence he desired.
It was a triplewin situation.
Erick pondered it over and concluded that this was indeed their best option at the moment. This plan would ensure Audrey’s safety and possibly help them locate Casey.
As Erick shared the plan, Audrey readily agreed, not wanting her brother to be burdened with worry about her safety on top of everything else. And with potential leads on their mother, they might finally locate her. It was wonderful.
Stefan then falsely declared that he and Audrey had already married in Alcyone, witnessed by a priest, and that a wedding celebration would be held in Aurora before Audrey’s due date.
Not doubting Stefan’s words, Stefan’s father didn’t object, especially since he was keen on engaging Stefan, this intellectually gifted young man.
For the clan’s long-term growth, both intellectual and martial talents were crucial, and Stefan was capable of resolving 80% of the family’s business dilemmas.
The only issue was Stefan’s distant relationship with his father.