Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Having multiple wives, and Stefan’s mother having died early, Stefan’s father barely remembered what Stefan’s biological mother looked Like.
This time, Stefan’s father spared no expense for Stefan’s first marriage, ordering a grand celebration. He wanted all of Aurora to witness the Clifford family hosting a grand wedding.
This suited Audrey’s needs perfectly. The more public the celebration, the higher chance of Casey might learn of their presence in Aurora and attempt to make contact or send further signals. Anyway, hope was right there, ready for the taking.
Yet, the protection provided by the Clifford family for Audrey solely because Audrey was getting married to Stefan. Should they discovered the wedding was all for a show, it would be a total disaster.
Erick reminded, “”Audrey, make sure to maintain the act whenever you’re outside. Until you deliver, as long as you’re within the walls of the Clifford family’s mansion, you’ll be safe. Leave the search for our mother to Stefan and me.”
Audrey nodded and replied, “Erick, you need to be careful as well.”
Noticing the subtle concern in Audrey’s eyes, Erick offered reassurance, “Don’t worry. If that hidden enemy tries anything, we’ll identify them immediately to stop their plans!”
The siblings spent some time talking when someone came to the front hall to discuss the wedding matters with Erick.
Erick intended to bring Audrey along. But she was overwhelmed by nervousness, her heart racing and feeling somewhat shy. She hesitated.
“Erick, can you go first? I’d like to sit alone for a bit.”
“Okay,” Erick consented.
He recognized Audrey’s anxiety and gently squeezed her hand, comforting her, “Don’t be nervous. It’s all just an act.”
The room quieted down after he left.
Audrey’s mind was still in a mess. She was unfamiliar with weddings, and even though this one was fake, the idea of being around lots of people made her nervous.
The waiting room was cozy, and she sat on the sofa, closing her eyes to try to organize her thoughts.
Suddenly, the door opened and then closed.
Audrey assumed it was Victor, and without opening her eyes, she asked tiredly, “Victor, what did Stefan want you for just now?”
But she received no response. Then, a familiar, cool scent drifted around her.
These deep black irises glimmered brilliantly, reminiscent of stars fallen from the sky, deep and mesmerizing, with an irresistible charm.
Beyond those captivating eyes was a face painfully familiar to Audrey.
For a brief moment, Audrey’s mind went completely blank. She blinked hard, suspecting a hallucination. How could Cornell, who was supposed to be thousands of miles away, appear right in front of her?
Their gazes intertwined, and she felt the urge to speak, yet words failed her.
Silence hung between them. Neither dared to break it.
The whole scene felt like a dream to Audrey, yet it was vividly real.
Cornell’s presence was undeniably tangible. “How did you…”
Audrey tried to ask how Cornell got here, but before she could finish, he had already seized her arm, pulling her toward the window.
The solid, undeniable feeling confirmed for Audrey that this was no dream. Cornell had truly come to her wedding.
All of a sudden, a long coat enveloped her from head to toe, and the sharp sound of breaking glass pierced the air.
Before Audrey could react, she was lifted firmly by Cornell. She felt herself being hoisted over a barrier, then cradled uncomfortably in his arms, the motion jarring.
With her vision obscured, she could see nothing, only managing to clutch and shake his arm frantically. “Hey! Cornell, what are you doing?”
As her anxiety peaked, Cornell gently placed her down on a soft, plush cushion.
He then removed the coat that had covered her. Opening her eyes, Audrey found herself seated in a car.
There were traces of blood on Cornell’s arm, likely from a scratch he received while jumping out of the window.
Audrey glanced around and noticed that the window of the makeup room was quite close to the guest parking lot.
A small door at the front, previously locked, had been opened, probably by Cornell.
Audrey asked anxiously, “Cornell, what are you trying to do?”
His reply was terse. “To take you away.”
“What?” Audrey wondered if she had misheard, or if he was merely joking. Such a statement seemed absurd! To kidnap the bride at the Clifford family’s wedding feast was surely not normal behavior.
“Cornell, stop joking. I need to go back…” An oppressive aura seemed to radiate from Cornell, almost choking Audrey.
At that moment, she didn’t want to provoke him, but she also couldn’t let his irrational behavior continue. “You can go back. I’ll tell Stefan to let you leave.”
Only invited guests were permitted at the wedding venue.
Following Lorenzo’s death, the two major families in Aurora had fortified their defenses, wary of provoking the formidable power from Ardlens, akin to a sovereign nation. This strategy rested on the principle that they would not initiate conflict unless foreign forces encroached on their territory.
Indeed, the strength of Ardlens was unmatched, and they avoided conflicts unless absolutely necessary. But any foreign trespass on their lands would not be overlooked lightly, otherwise, Aurora might be ridiculed as a place unable to defend its own borders.
Thus, Audrey was deeply concerned about Cornell since his uninvited presence constituted trespassing. If he were caught, it would surely cause a lot of trouble.
She glanced at the wound on his arm, still oozing blood, and felt a surge of sympathy. Unwrapping the gauze from her own arm, she offered, “Your arm is bleeding. Would you like me to dress the wound?”
Cornell stayed silent, his deep gaze fixed on her.
Feeling her heart twinge with empathy and having already expressed her concern, Audrey decided to proceed and dress his wound.
“Let me help bandage it, okay? Once it’s done, you can go back.” She spoke in a soothing tone, hoping to coax him to agreement. When he didn’t object, she took it as his consent.
Carefully, she rolled up his sleeve and dabbed gently at the blood before wrapping it neatly.
In the cramped space of the car, Audrey’s expansive wedding gown pressed almost against Cornell.
She focused on bandaging his arm, making a loop and tying a graceful bow. After bandaging him, she noticed his arm seemed thinner than before. Had he not fully recovered, leaving himself in such a frail state?
Despite her growing sympathy, Audrey was aware of the urgency. She needed to return before her absence was discovered, to avoid causing any commotion.
Audrey intended to withdraw her hand, but was suddenly pulled back into a tight embrace by Cornell. Her heart raced, panic mingling with confusion in his hold.
Yet, the embrace felt as warm and solid as it had been previously.
Cornell’s familiar cool scent enveloped her, instilling a sense of safety and calm.
For a brief moment, Audrey was transported back to their sweetest, most affectionate times. Back when there were no interferences from Cecilia, Katie, or Henley. Just the two of them, reluctant to part on those mornings before work.
In that instant, Audrey felt a longing to surrender to the moment, to lose herself in his embrace. She pushed aside thoughts of curses, destinies, or past injuries, choosing instead to savor this hard-won embrace.
“Just five minutes,” she told herself, permitting herself this brief indulgence. After that, reality would reclaim them both.
Silence filled the car.
They held each other wordlessly, as if any sound might break the delicate illusion enveloping them.
Yet, five minutes passed in a flash.
Like Cinderella racing against the clock, Audrey reluctantly pushed Cornell away, urging, “You should go.”
She was now entangled with a mysterious assailant. If Cornell stayed, he would face danger once more. She could not justify such selfishness, not after he had risked his life for her multiple times.
Last time, he had nearly died. Perhaps Katie was correct. Their destinies were misaligned, and togetherness only spelled disaster for them both.
Seeing how resolutely Audrey pushed him away and repeatedly insisted he leave, a shadow fell over Cornell’s eyes. “Don’t you have anything to say to me?” he asked.
Audrey bit her lip, replying simply, “No.” She disliked indecision.
Once her mind was made up, she stood firm.
“Really, you have nothing to say to me?” Pain echoed in Cornell’s deep gaze.
Audrey’s heart tightened, but she averted her eyes and responded evenly, “Thank you for coming to my wedding, but given Aurora’s current situation, I couldn’t invite you…”
She had her reasons. She knew the agony of watching the man she loved prepare for another’s wedding Standing at the altar while he watched as a guest was no less painful. She refused to experience so.
Whether it was selfishness or self-preservation, she was determined to end things decisively.
“I need to go back now, Mr. Clement. Given the Clifford family’s stance, I’d advise you against taking such risks,” Audrey said earnestly.
Cornell seemed to disregard her warning. Slowly, he reached out, tenderly caressing her face. “No, Audrey, you’re lying to me…”
As Audrey met his deep, soulful eyes, she forcefully repressed her feelings, sealing her heart. If she lingered any Longer, the risk to the both of them would only increase.
She pretended to be impatient. “Cornell, why would I lie to you? As you can see, I’m getting married…”
“You’re not being sincere.” Unexpectedly, Cornell lifted her chin firmly and delivered a forceful kiss to her lips.