Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“Hmm… Cornell…” Her protest was muffled as he grasped her jaw, pulling her close and deepening the kiss without reservation.
Instinctively, Audrey raised her hands to push him away, but he seized her wrists.
Her struggle seemed likely to break his grip, yet she halted upon feeling dampness. She remembered his injury. The moisture was probably from his blood-soaked bandages. With this realization, her heart softened, not wanting to worsen his wound.
Seizing the moment, Cornell embraced her more tightly, his kisses intense, forcefully parting her lips and intertwining with her tongue in a dominating manner.
Overwhelmed by his strength, Audrey felt powerless to resist. She was seething inside. How dare he kiss her so boldly, especially since she was to be another man’s bride. Even if it was a sham, he wasn’t aware!
Audrey’s attempts to resist were feeble, like a kitten’s scratches, barely making an impact. Her physical weakness forced her to cease struggling.
However, her acquiescence seemed to embolden Cornell, and he kissed her even more passionately, as if reclaiming lost time.
“Hmm… Audrey groaned in discomfort.”
Her pained whimper, more persuasive than any resistance, eventually compelled Cornell to let her lips go to catch her breath. He still held her close, reluctant to release her, but his touch became gentle, careful not to harm the unborn children.
As Audrey regained her breath and some strength, Audrey tried to push him away, only for her hand to be caught and held tenderly in his.
Cornell’s eyes, still fiery from the intensity, now carried a cold sharpness. “Carrying my children, who do you plan to marry?”
Audrey’s mind snapped to clarity at the mention of the children. That was right. She needed to protect her children and prevent further harm to Cornell.
She inhaled sharply and stated coldly, “The children are mine, and we have no marital bond. I am free to marry whomever I choose.”
Her detached tone hit Cornell hard. Just moments before, he had savored her sweetness, but now she had distanced herself so completely. He spoke in a low, chilling tone. “I don’t allow it.”
Audrey scoffed. “I don’t need your permission, Mr. Clement. My marriage is real, not fake!”
Her words hinted at Cornell’s staged wedding with Katie, her tone laced with bitterness.
Cornell’s gaze intensified. “That wedding was fake… Aren’t you.?”
“Mr. Clement!” Audrey interrupted him sharply. “I don’t need you to love me under some pretense of it being for my good. I don’t want that kind of love. Do you understand?”
Cornell’s face turned ashen.
But Audrey continued relentlessly, her words sharp and almost merciless, “So when you made that choice, we were already finished.”
“No, Audrey, we’re not finished…” Cornell clung to her hand, his eyes reddening as if he were on the brink of tears. “I don’t accept that.”
“Mr. Clement,” Audrey addressed him, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Do you realize how much I suffered during that time? In your so-called plan to protect me, the pain I endured was very real. Even if I acknowledge your silent motives were for my sake, what does it change? I can’t persuade myself to love you again. I desire a peaceful Life, with a husband who won’t inflict any pain. Can you grasp that?”
As Audrey articulated these words, her emotions were palpable, revealing her inner turmoil.
On one hand, Audrey was thankful for everything Cornell had done for her. But whenever she remembered the pain, his schemes had caused her, it was too much to bear, and she found forgiveness elusive.
Furthermore, their relationship had consistently brought pain and harm to both of them. Wasn’t that a clear sign it wasn’t right?
Perhaps, then, taking this chance to completely cut their ties was the best course of action for both him and her.
Audrey could not afford to be reckless like Cornell. About to be a mother to three, she had to safeguard her own life and be responsible for her children. And Cornell, with significant responsibilities of his own, could not continue to endanger himself for her sake.
Audrey convinced herself that their being together was a mistake, one that needed to end here. In this lifetime, perhaps, they were destined to be apart…
Cornell sank into deep silence, his face as pale as paper. It felt as though a vast void had been carved from his heart.
Cornell resonated deeply with the agony Audrey once weathered.
It seemed fate reveled in its capricious games. Deeds of helplessness, words devoid of sincerity, never did Cornell anticipate they’d wound Audrey so deeply.
“So, whether you agree with me or not, it doesn’t bother me, and it doesn’t hold me back,” Audrey declared, steeling herself to unleash the bitterest truths as she turned her gaze away from him.
With resolve, she swung open the car door, hoisted her dress, and stepped out.
Yet, her bridal gown bore a stain of Cornell’s blood, a foreboding sign. Even for a sham wedding, wearing it was out of the question, it would not only embarrass Stefan, but it might also earn Stefan a reprimand from his father.
Audrey hastened her track, trying to change into a spare outfit in time before making her appearance.
Behind her, Cornell pursued, oblivious to the pain in his wake as he exited the vehicle, his injured knee forgotten. With a resounding thud, he collapsed to the ground.
The ground lay strewn with haphazard cobblestones. Cornell’s knee, still in the mending process, collided with the uneven surface, eliciting an audible crack.
The torment of fractured bones rivaled that inflicted by Lorenzo’s crushing grip. His countenance, as pallid as parchment, dripped with sweat from brow to earth.
“Audrey…” His voice was hoarse, each word a painful exhale, “What can I do to earn your forgiveness?”
“Audrey, I’m not sure what’s best for you anymore. I admit I was wrong, and I’ve made mistakes in everything I’ve done. Please, tell me what I can do. I don’t want you to leave me or marry someone else.”
At his words, Audrey dared not cast a glance backward. She gnawed at her lip, her eyes wide, refusing to blink. She dreaded that a blink would unleash a deluge of tears, cascading like a torrent.
To turn now would reveal Cornell’s once-handsome countenance, now twisted in anguish, barely recognizable.
Audrey had gleaned tidbits of Cornell’s condition solely through Erick.
Erick abstained from discussing Cornell. Since Audrey had declared to sever ties with Cornell, it was best not to relay any updates about him.
Apart from assurances of Cornell’s steady recovery, Erick had abstained from further mention of him. Audrey remained oblivious to Cornell’s passive stance on recovery training.
Audrey kept running forward, brisk and unyielding, until she collided with someone at the corner.
It was Erick, seeking her out.
“Audrey!” Erick’s gaze turned frosty at the sight of blood on her wedding dress. “Who is responsible for this?”
“Erick…” As soon as Audrey spoke, tears cascaded uncontrollably.
Erick’s panic surged, “What happened, Audrey? Who bullied you?”
Erick had just visited the waiting room but finding it deserted. He nearly tore the roof off in his frantic search. Moreover, shards of glass and threads on the windowsill pointed to one conclusion. Audrey had been kidnapped!
Erick swiftly alerted Stefan, securing all entrances and exits of the estate. They opted for discretion, conducting covert searches.
Erick hadn’t anticipated stumbling upon Audrey, her steps faltering, as he followed the trail.
“It’s nothing… Erick, can you go check on him?”
Erick furrowed his brow. “Check on who?”
“Cornell, he’s here… He just… He appears to be injured.” Audrey felt a bit disoriented, understandably so, as the abrupt appearance of Cornell made it difficult for her to gather her thoughts.
“Audrey, stay focused. This isn’t the moment to mess up,” Erick cautioned, his expression taut.
If anyone were to realize the wedding was a charade, the trail to Casey’s whereabouts would be utterly obscured.
After all, the last time they had a fleeting lead, the individual having taken Casey away had vanished with Casey all of a sudden.
That individual was remarkably astute, and after vanishing suddenly, there was no trace since then for over a decade.
Moreover, there were still those in Aurora eyeing Audrey with predatory intent. If they learned the wedding was a sham, she’d likely be their first target. At this juncture, Audrey couldn’t afford a single slip-up.
Of course, Audrey understood. Her expression somber, she said, “Erick, I know. I just…”
But she couldn’t articulate her thoughts fully. Her decision to abruptly sever ties left her with only self-hypnosis to remain steadfast.
Clutching Erick’s sleeve, Audrey gently shook it. “Could you please go check on Cornell and see him off?”
Erick was Left momentarily speechless. After a few moments of silence, he nodded. “Return to the waiting room. Stefan’s been trying to find you. I’ll tell him to get someone to touch up your makeup.”
“Alright,” Audrey replied, lifting her dress as she headed back.
Victor had arrived early to fetch Audrey. Victor had been momentarily called away to oversee the preparation of the favors, leaving Audrey vulnerable to abduction.
Now, Victor trailed closely behind Audrey, not daring to stray.
Erick, with his towering frame and long strides, swiftly spotted the man still kneeling on the cobblestone ground. He halted in front of Cornell, extending a hand to help him up.
Though the murderous intent against Audrey had something to do with Cornell, Erick knew Cornell never wanted so, nor had Cornell anticipated Audrey’s presence at the hotel at that time.
Considering how Cornell had risked his life to save Audrey, Erick wouldn’t make things overly difficult for him.
However, this didn’t imply Erick had forgiven Cornell. Understanding another’s hardships was a challenge unless one had personally endured similar trials.
Erick himself couldn’t comprehend the pain of having to push away the woman he loved due to circumstances. Of course, he wouldn’t go to the extent of endangering his own life either.
While Cornell bore responsibility, his actions under life-threatening circumstances could be somewhat justifiable.
Yet, Erick felt it was too risky for Cornell and Audrey to be together. It was better for each to resolve their own issues and leave future matters to fate.