Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Just as Nicole tried to turn her face away, Roscoe grabbed her arm gently.
He remained silent, gazing at her briefly.
Suddenly, Roscoe bowed his head, halting just before his thin lips met Nicole’s.
With a soft grin and a whisper, Roscoe vowed, “Nicole, once I surpass that man, you will be mine.”
Left alone, Nicole’s mind reeled.
What the hell? In her eyes, Roscoe was still a little boy.
But now, his words somewhat unsettled her.
On a Friday morning, Audrey got a message from Bryce, requesting her address to pick her up.
She sent her location to him. She made her way downstairs after learning Bryce’s arrival.
A few paces from the door, she spotted a black off-road vehicle.
Bryce lounged in the passenger seat, beckoning her over with a curled finger.
Audrey pulled open the door and climbed aboard. To her surprise, Eloise was seated in the back, her presence almost tangible with hostility.
Eloise’s eyes narrowed at the sight of Audrey. She turned to Bryce, questioning sharply, “Bryce, is she your tutor?”
Bryce merely grunted in response.
The air was thick with tension. Eloise harbored dislike toward Audrey, and Audrey disliked Eloise’s presence.
Audrey took a seat, pressing herself against the door, creating as much distance as possible from Eloise.
Eloise’s gaze Landed on Audrey’s modest backpack and her lips twisted into a sardonic smile.
“Are you going to have a trip Like this?” she taunted.
Audrey simply nodded.
Eloise’s laughter rang out, tinged with malice.
Anticipation for the weekend’s adventure began to bubble within Eloise.
As the vehicle pulled away, Audrey’s eyes drifted to the front row, where Cornell took the wheel.
Cornell had swapped his usual suit for a casual navy windbreaker and sunglasses, his new attire lending him an air of rugged charm.
Taking in Bryce’s and Eloise’s outfits, a realization dawned on Audrey.
They were headed for a mountain trek.
Yet, Bryce had kept this from her, no doubt to throw her off balance.
Determined to make the best of the situation, Audrey decided against overthinking. She rested her head against the window, feigning sleep.
The journey was long, and perhaps thanks to Cornell’s skilled driving, Eloise drifted into sleep, her head resting against the window.
As for Audrey, she remained awake with her eyes closed, acutely aware of Eloise’s head now resting against her shoulder.
To avoid any awkward eye contact with Cornell, Audrey continued to feign sleep, resisting the urge to shove Eloise away.
After a while, the car’s consistent motion made Audrey feel inclined to nap.
She mused on how Cornell’s driving had changed since Eloise entered the picture, his earlier haste replaced by a considerate pace.
Upon arriving, Audrey stirred from her light doze. Unlike Eloise, who was deeply asleep, head on Audrey’s lap, arms encircling her waist.
Audrey nudged Eloise, who remained unresponsive.
Suddenly, the back door swung open.
Cornell loomed into view, tapping Eloise’s back to wake her up.
But Eloise, disoriented from her abrupt awakening, lashed out with a slap across Audrey’s face.
Eloise had hardly applied any force, yet Audrey’s delicate skin couldn’t withstand even that mild slap.
In the brief silence that followed, realization dawned upon Eloise.
Eloise observed Audrey’s reddened cheek, then her own palm, and understood the cause.
Attracted by the noise, Bryce confronted Eloise with a fury akin to a lion’s, “Eloise, have you lost your mind? How could you hit her like that?
Although Bryce bore no fondness for Audrey, he still defended Audrey.
After all, he was the one who brought Audrey here with him. If any reprimand was aimed at Audrey, it should come from him, not others.
Eloise had intended to apologize to Audrey. She was frank but never malicious.
But as soon as she heard those questioning from Bryce who was younger than her, she retorted immediately, “Why the outrage? It was unintentional.”
“Then offer her your apologies,” Bryce insisted.
Bryce’s anger seemed to eclipse Eloise’s, and he looked poised to force an apology by grabbing Eloise’s collar.
Terrified, Eloise sought refuge behind Cornell, clutching at Cornell’s garment in her anxiety.
Cornell intercepted Bryce’s hand with a scowl, his voice icy.
“Calm yourself. It was an accident.”
Bryce winced at the pain in his hand, incredulous.
“Cornell, you’re taking her side?”
“Yes, is that an issue?”
Cornell’s gaze grew frostier.
“Are we proceeding with our hike or not?”
Initially, Audrey didn’t mind at all, aware that Eloise didn’t do it on purpose.
However, witnessing Cornell’s overt protection over Eloise shifted something within her.
She knew the feeling of being defended was undeniably pleasant.
Eloise, grinning broadly, trotted behind Cornell and taunted Bryce with a face.
Bryce was seething with anger. He had believed he could have some fun when Hector was away, but he hadn’t anticipated that Hector would assign Cornell to watch over him.
Moreover, Cornell, the typically occupied CEO was monitoring him personally and even joined his hiking with Audrey. Such misfortune!
Audrey found Bryce’s defending her startling. She was somehow moved, bolstering her resolve to better his opinion of her.
“What’s the plan, exactly? Could you tell me now?” Audrey inquired.
Bryce stood, one hand on his hip, gesturing toward the mountain.
“See that peak? If you can withstand two days and a night at the summit, I’ll fulfill any request you have.”
“Deal.” Audrey’s agreement came swiftly, without a trace of doubt.
With a smirk, Bryce warned, “Just so you’re aware, I’ll only provide you with a tent. You need to manage yourself. No food or drink from me.”
He eyed Audrey’s modest backpack, adding with gravity, “It’s not too late to concede and step down.”
Audrey’s response was firm.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
Bryce’s scoff was clear.
“Cry all you want on the mountain. No one will escort you down Audrey disregarded his taunts and set off.
Bryce was completely taken aback.
The trail was treacherous, a challenge to navigate.
Despite a not-quite-healed sprained ankle hampering her, Audrey’s stamina was commendable. She was an accomplished distance runner in her school days.
In contrast, Bryce, climbing for leisure, had hired help for his gear, allowing him to ascend with ease.