Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
As a father himself, Cornell began to perceive matters through the lens of a child’s perspective. “Jarrod, refrain from actions that may lead to remorse,” Cornell advised, concerned for his friend’s well-being.
As a close friend, Cornell was determined to steer Jarrod away from a destructive path. Not only could it result in losing the woman he cherished, but also strained his relationship with his child. Ultimately, Jarrod would face a solitary existence, grappling with the solitude of old age.
Having found contentment himself, Cornell cherished its rarity and wished the same for his friend.
Luis, who had been attentively listening, chuckled. “Cornell, you’ve transformed into a life coach.”
Ignoring Luis’ jest, Cornell took a sip of his juice. As an unmarried man, Luis couldn’t fathom his joy. Luis gently placed his hand on Jarrod’s shoulder, conveying a sense of brotherhood.
“Bro, while I may not possess a wealth of advice, Cornell’s content family speaks volumes. Witnessing his relentless pursuit to win Audrey back, even at the brink of peril, resonated deeply. His perseverance prevailed, thankfully. And you…”
Luis sighed deeply. “If your feelings for Nicole persist, refrain from pushing her away. I understand your stubborn nature, but perpetually adopting a tough facade is unsustainable. Women often respond to gentle persuasion, don’t they? You persist in your rigidity, repeatedly rescuing the damsel in distress, yet why does it never yield favorable outcomes? Your words and suspicions consistently undermine any potential success.”
Jarrod submerged himself in introspection. The insights from both Luis and Cornell held merit. Despite his earnest efforts on each occasion, the outcomes consistently led to deterioration rather than fostering closeness, driving them even further apart.
Before the gathering, Luis and Cornell had agreed to have a sincere conversation with the obstinate Jarrod. It was evident to everyone that Jarrod hadn’t moved on, yet he invariably found a way to exacerbate the situation.
Luis expressed his exasperation with Jarrod. “Bro, as I’ve mentioned, women respond to gentle persuasion. Making Roscoe suffer won’t help. It will only breed resentment and push Nicole further away. Even if your feelings for her have changed, for the sake of your child, you should maintain a peaceful relationship with her. Don’t subject your child to emotional harm that you’ll regret.”
Both Luis and Cornell had delivered a heartfelt speech, unsure if Jarrod absorbed any of their advice. Ultimately, advice amounted to mere words. Action was a separate issue.
Cornell summed up, saying, “I’m willing to support Roscoe, not only because his goals align with my company this year, but also to prevent you from making more mistakes. If Roscoe suffers due to his family’s troubles and ends up in jail, I doubt Nicole will ever forgive you. Think it over and avoid actions you’ll regret.”
In terms of friendship, Cornell always stood by his friends. Seeing Jarrod encounter problems on the matter of feelings, he wanted to offer assistance. But that was his limit. He had fulfilled his role. The journey ahead was one that Jarrod would have to navigate on his own.
After the gathering, everyone dispersed. Luis opted to linger at the bar, while Cornell headed straight home.
Once back home, Cornell made his way to the guest bathroom to wash away the lingering scent of the bar. Following his shower, Cornell visited the nursery, where a profound sense of contentment washed over him as he gazed at his peacefully slumbering babies. Tenderly, he pressed kisses to their cheeks.
He then returned to the master bedroom. Audrey lay asleep in bed, with their daughter Janey nestled beside her like a little kitten.
As Cornell approached, the room was enveloped in the familiar, comforting fragrance of his wife and children. Cornell settled into bed quietly, but even his gentle movements roused Audrey. She blinked sleepily and murmured, “You’re back?”
“Yes, sorry for waking you,” Cornell whispered, planting an apologetic kiss on her forehead.
“It’s okay. I probably napped too much during the day. My sleep’s been lighter lately,” Audrey replied softly.
Then, she inquired, “Did you spend time with Jarrod tonight?”
“Yes, I did spend time with him,” Cornell replied. He had informed Audrey about his plans to meet Jarrod at the bar beforehand.
Audrey’s expression soured. “Is he showing any signs of calming down?”
“I attempted to reason with him. If he remains obstinate, there’s little more I can do,” Cornell replied.
“He’s insufferable,” Audrey grumbled. “Nicole’s already going through a rough patch. Why does he insist on exacerbating her troubles?”
Audrey’s frustration stemmed from her deep concern for her best friend. Over the years, it had consistently been Jarrod who added complexity to Nicole’s life, disrupting Nicole’s peace.
“I hope he comes to his senses.” Cornell sighed. The issue was Jarrod’s towering pride. Once wounded, he refused to yield even an inch. Both Jarrod and Nicole were entrenched in their stubbornness, one refusing to glance backward while the other was steadfastly unwilling to compromise. They were destined to drift apart indefinitely.
“He’s your friend. They say birds of a feather flock together. If you two get along, there must be some common ground,” Audrey remarked, pouting.
Cornell was caught off guard. He hadn’t anticipated the conversation about Nicole and Jarrod to shift the focus onto himself.
“Honey, please. Remember, I pleaded for you to return to me,” Cornell said, resorting to playing the sympathy card. He understood that reasoning with his wife was futile. It often resulted in either conceding the argument or inadvertently hurting her feelings. So, he opted for the quickest exit strategy by playing the role of the pitiable one and admitting fault.
Reflecting on Cornell’s words, Audrey acknowledged that he had indeed made considerable efforts for their relationship. Despite his initial shortcomings, his persistent attempts to reconcile had been genuinely heartfelt.
“Smart move,” Audrey teased.
Seeing Audrey’s cheerful mood, Cornell drew her close and kissed her hair. Audrey’s cheeks turned pink. “Stop it… our girl’s right here.”
Cornell’s voice, deep and soothing, reassured her, “I know. I just want to hold you.”
As their daughter grew older, they made it a point to keep their affectionate displays from her. Whenever their daughter insisted on sleeping in their bed, Cornell put up with any discomfort.
He steadfastly avoided any intimate actions while their child was in the room.
Audrey, feeling the security of his hold and knowing his intentions were pure, relaxed and rested her head on his arm. Overcome by drowsiness, she began to drift off to sleep. Cornell kissed her forehead gently and whispered, “Audrey, I’m so happy to have you and our kids by my side.”
Half asleep, Audrey softly said, “We’ll always be together.”
“Yes, forever. We’re always a family,” Cornell responded softly. “Thank you, my love.”
The next morning, Nicole gazed at the abortion pills, deep in thought. She faced a tough choice. Committed to challenging Jarrod in court, she knew frequent interactions were unavoidable.
The legal proceedings would begin with mediation, prolonging the ordeal. Their paths would cross often, and she aimed to minimize further complications. She hoped for a swift resolution.
With a heavy heart, Nicole picked up the pills, placed one in her mouth, and prepared to wash it down with water.
Just then, her phone vibrated. Assuming it was a telemarketer, she dismissed the call.
As she was about to sip her water, the phone rang again, this time with urgency. Realizing telemarketers rarely call back so quickly, she answered hesitantly. It was Jarrod’s new assistant. “Miss Lawrence?”
“Yes,” Nicole answered.
“This is Conor Jensen, Mr. Schultz’s assistant. Mr. Schultz would like to discuss visitation rights. Can you speak now?”
Stunned for a second, Nicole was soon overjoyed. “Yes, I’m available,” she said quickly.
“Excellent. Mr. Schultz has time now but will be occupied later in the afternoon. Could you please come over immediately?” Conor asked.
In her excitement, Nicole put aside her plan to take the abortion pill by spitting it out. She hastily hailed a cab to the Schultz Group. Conor ushered her into Jarrod’s office.
Upon entering, Nicole saw Jarrod busily typing away at his computer. Conor guided Nicole to a sofa, served her some water, and then left the room.
After finishing his task, Jarrod approached Nicole.
Nicole, bursting with eagerness, initiated the conversation by asking, “Are you going to let me see Austin?”
“I…” Before Jarrod could complete his sentence, Nicole felt a wave of nausea and began to gag. “Ugh…” she groaned.
The unexpected noise caused Jarrod to frown. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine… Ugh…” Nicole struggled to speak as she gagged again. She quickly covered her mouth and hurried to the office restroom. Having visited here frequently before, she knew exactly where it was.
Inside, with the door shut, the sound of Nicole’s retching filled the space, deepening Jarrod’s frown. Nicole’s stomach continued to churn, resulting in several minutes of dry heaving and producing only a bit of saliva. This pregnancy was proving to be particularly challenging for her, with severe and uncomfortable symptoms.
In the restroom, Nicole took deep breaths to steady her heart rate and maintain her composure. Eventually, she calmed herself. After rinsing her mouth, she slowly exited the restroom.
To her astonishment, Jarrod was waiting right outside the door. His 6’2??stature and formidable presence appeared quite intimidating. He gazed at Nicole and asked softly, “What’s troubling you?”
Nicole’s heart raced. She masked her nervousness, saying, “I think I mixed hot porridge with something cold this morning. It didn’t sit well with my stomach.”
Despite her rationalization, Jarrod remained in the doorway, his presence intensifying her anxiety. Feeling compelled to explain further, she added, “I’ve always had a sensitive stomach.”
Jarrod observed her silently for a few seconds before he finally moved aside. “If you’re feeling unwell, you should consult a doctor,” he suggested, his tone detached.
Nicole perceived his comment not as a concern but perhaps as a sign that Rhett’s intervention was having an impact. They shared a child, and preserving a cordial relationship was essential for their child’s well-being.
Nicole nodded and said, “I will.”
She then asked, “Why did you call me here?”
“I’m willing to let you see Austin,” Jarrod answered directly.
Nicole’s face lit up with happiness, but it was quickly shadowed by concern. “What do you expect in return?” she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Jarrod was not known for his generosity, especially not about matters involving their child.
Although Rhett had mentioned he would speak with Jarrod, Nicole was skeptical that Jarrod could be persuaded so easily. It seemed highly unlikely that Jarrod would compromise just because of one discussion.
Noticing the caution in Nicole’s eyes, Jarrod gave a knowing smirk. “There are conditions.”
Nicole chuckled. She knew it. She was uncertain if she could meet Jarrod’s demands. While she was prepared to do anything for Austin, she couldn’t commit if it required sacrifices from others. As a mother, her willingness to sacrifice was boundless, but she couldn’t expect the same from others for the sake of her child. “Tell me,” Nicole said.
Jarrod said, “I want absolute say in our child’s future planning.” He envisioned Austin carrying on the Schultz legacy. Once Austin’s health improved, Jarrod did not intend to raise a soft child. He planned to groom Austin rigorously.
Nicole was surprised that Jarrod’s request was relatively straightforward. It seemed Jarrod was considering preparing Austin to take over his role. This was an area where Jarrod deserved some influence. Although Nicole would prefer for Austin to follow his own dreams, she recognized Jarrod’s offer as a compromise and didn’t want to cause friction.
“Alright, you can have a say in his future planning,” Nicole agreed.
“And the child must take my last name, Schultz,” Jarrod said.
Compared to the prospect of being separated from her son, the idea of Austin adopting Jarrod’s surname was not hard to accept for Nicole. It at least indicated that Jarrod acknowledged Austin’s significance in his life.
“Alright.” Nicole wasn’t interested in disputing these points. Her primary focus was on reuniting with Austin as soon as possible.
“And you are not allowed to remarry,” Jarrod declared as another condition.
This term served as a test for Nicole. Jarrod wasn’t without flaws. To him, permitting Nicole to visit their child constituted a significant concession on his part. If Nicole harbored any thoughts of remarriage, Jarrod wouldn’t hesitate to sever her access to their child. He adamantly refused to entertain the notion of another man raising his child. And there was one more thing…