Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Eloise’s expression soured instantly, interpreting his words as an intention to send her back alone.
Previously, Cornell had expressed a desire not to see her, which had left Eloise weeping all night, her eyes puffy with tears.
With no alternative, Eloise’s parents had implored Cornell to at least consider Eloise a friend.
Eloise, stubborn as ever, wasn’t quick to change her mind about adoring Cornell and needed time to cool off.
Cornell, for the sake of Eloise’s parents, hadn’t expelled Eloise but instead invited her to join the mountain trek.
Now, it seemed Cornell was subtly declining Eloise’s advances.
But Eloise refused to give up so easily, especially with the presence of Cornell’s ex-wife who possibly waited for a moment alone with Cornell.
Gazing at Cornell’s striking features, Eloise shook her head determinedly.
“I’m not leaving.”
She was smitten with this handsome man, having never met anyone who rivaled Cornell’s allure.
Cornell simply looked at Eloise and kept silent.
Noon had arrived.
Bryce unpacked an assortment of fast food, urging everyone to help themselves.
His challenging stare at Audrey seemed to dare her to confess her hunger.
Audrey turned away, ignoring them.
Soon, the tantalizing smell of food wafted through the air, and Audrey’s stomach growled. She retrieved beef jerky from her bag, rationed it, and ate just enough to satiate her hunger.
Her foresight in packing practical items in her small bag was proving beneficial.
By evening, they had reached the mountain’s summit.
While Bryce directed the workers to set up camp for him, he left Audrey to fend for herself.
As others rested in their erected tents, Audrey struggled with the hammer, which slipped and struck her hand, eliciting an involuntary cry of pain.
She looked up through tear-filled eyes, seeking Cornell’s assistance habitually, only to be met with his scornful gaze.
Ashamed, she quickly averted her eyes, chastising herself for such a lapse in judgment. How could she have forgotten Cornell’s profound disdain for her?
As dinner time approached, Eloise stepped out of her tent and summoned Cornell, “Cornell, come and eat. Bryce has brought a feast of food and beer.”
Being offered with sorts of foods, Eloise started to get on with Bryce.
Cornell glanced at the Audrey and sensed his patience wearing thin.
He anticipated her imminent plea for assistance.
With a scoff, he departed without a second thought.
Once Audrey perceived Cornell’s departure, she allowed herself to unwind and settled onto the ground.
A bitter smile played on her lips, pondering her own expectations.
Audrey had been self-reliant for so long that she managed to pitch the tent by herself after much effort.
Having trekked the mountain all day, her body felt the pangs of hunger and thirst, leaving her exhausted.
Ignoring everything else, she crawled into the tent and surrendered to sleep.
The quiet rustle eventually roused Audrey.
She turned on her flashlight and called out, “Who’s there?”
Hearing footsteps outside, Audrey wrapped herself in a blanket of fear, too scared to remain alone.
Grasping her spray for protection, she peered out of the tent to find nothing amiss.
Yet, the thought of sleep eluded her.
Her tent was vulnerably positioned at the edge. After a moment’s hesitation, Audrey moved toward Eloise’s tent which was safely nestled at the center.
Standing near Eloise’s tent, Audrey caught the sound of Eloise’s voice inside.
“Cornell, stop that. It tickles…”
The voice cut through Audrey, a frigid gust chilling her to the core.
She stood frozen momentarily.
Regaining her composure, she retreated.
Wasn’t it normal for Cornell to be intimate with another woman? After all, they were divorced. Driven by desire, he was not one to refrain.
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a hand clamped over her mouth in the darkness.
Startled into full alertness, Audrey fought back fiercely.
But the assailant seized her hair with a vice-like grip, pulling her into the shadows.
Audrey’s head throbbed where her hair had been ruthlessly grasped, and a hand clamped over her mouth stifled her cries. The pain was too intense for her to utter a sound.
Eventually, the assailant halted.
A rag was roughly thrust into Audrey’s mouth, and her wrists were bound tightly with a thick rope.
Shadow shrouded the man before her, his eyes gleaming with a Lewdness that sent shivers down Audrey’s spine.
It was only then that Audrey realized she wasn’t alone with the assailant. There was another.
In the dim light of the moon, she recognized them as the ones who had harassed her in the daytime.
Fear seized her.
The man who had previously feigned kindness now leaned in close, his voice a disturbing whisper.
“Don’t be scared, little girl. I’ve no desire to harm you. Comply, and I’ll ensure you’re well looked after.”
The other man wore a far more menacing look, brandishing a sharp Swiss Army knife with a threatening snarl, “Defy us, and I won’t hesitate to mar that pretty face of yours.”
The chill wind whipped around Audrey, tossing her hair wildly as her complexion turned ashen with terror.
“Did you hear that?” the man with the dagger questioned, his lecherous gaze roaming unchecked over Audrey’s ample bosom.
Regaining her composure, Audrey could do nothing but nod continuously while a visible shiver ran through her body.
The terror within her was so overwhelming, it rendered her thoughts incoherent.
Noticing her fright, the two men’s wariness diminished considerably.
They believed that wielding their daggers wasn’t necessary to intimidate fragile young girls like Audrey.
With a grin, one man caressed Audrey’s soft cheek, murmuring, ‘Such a good girl, indeed.”
“Enough, Silas, we should get moving. My patience is wearing thin,” the other grumbled, his rough exterior starkly evident as he began to disrobe. The sight of Audrey earlier had ignited an impatient lust within him.
They had been unable to shake Audrey’s attractive image since they spotted her at noon.
It was only because of Silas’ keen observation, noticing the man Audrey had argued with lingering nearby, that they had bided their time.
Eventually, these two men had slipped away from their group and trailed Audrey up the mountain, stealthily waiting for the moment to pounce.
Silas, observing the other’s scant attire of just shorts, let out a laugh and playfully chided, “Neal, you’re in quite the hurry. Try not to scare the little girl.”
Neal responded with a chuckle, “Think she’s startled by this? Just wait. There’s scarier stuff on the way.”
Audrey, witnessing Neal’s advance, violently shook her head and wept, as though she were desperate to convey a message.
This piqued Silas’ curiosity. He halted Neal, suggesting, “Hold up.
Let’s hear what she has to say.”
Impatient, Neal spat out a curse, “What’s gotten into you? Quit dragging this out.”
Silas reassured, “No need to worry. Her friends are out cold.
Nobody’s going to search for her.”