Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“What? You sold that masterpiece?” Nicole was taken aback by this revelation.
The painting was a poignant portrayal of Audrey’s mother, a window into her dreams. Audrey had invested months, pouring her heart and soul into resurrecting that dream, piece by painstaking piece.
Back then, Nicole had found it beautiful and casually shared half of the photos on a foreign social platform. To her surprise, someone expressed interest in buying it and wanted to meet the artist.
However, Audrey declined the offer, prompting her to delete the post.
Nicole didn’t expect Audrey to sell the cherished painting for her sake.
Rejecting the money, Nicole insisted, “I can’t accept this. Go and take your painting back.”
“Just keep it,” Audrey insisted.
“I sold it on a website, and both parties are not allowed to share personal information. Buying it back is impossible now.”
Back then, an interested party offered three million dollars for the painting after Nicole uploaded it online.
When Audrey uploaded it on the website this time, the price suddenly soared to five million with two competing bids.
It seemed strange that the buyer kept asking to meet Audrey, but she always declined.
Audrey exercised caution, well aware of the different and sometimes unpredictable nature of people online. Once the painting was sold, she immediately deleted her account on the website.
Despite Nicole’s reluctance, Audrey suggested, “Didn’t I sell my apartment before? I’ve been living in your apartment. Consider this money as me buying your apartment. From now on, I won’t have to pay rent, okay?”
Nicole responded, “But it’s not fair for you. My apartment wouldn’t fetch even three million. It’s barely worth a shade over two million.”
Undeterred, Audrey insisted, “If you keep saying that, it’s like you are questioning our friendship. Consider the remaining money as my investment in your family’s company. If it fails, it’s on me. But if it succeeds, you can give me dividends yearly, alright?”
Nicole was moved by Audrey’s kind offer so she didn’t decline anymore.
After all, she did need the money to weather the storm.
With the five million from Jarrod, she now had a total of ten million, enough to tide her over for a while.
Her heart warmed. She felt content in the knowledge that Lifelong happiness stemmed from family and steadfast friends.
If the Lawrence Group could overcome this challenge, Nicole still had an apartment in her name as a fallback. In the event of any unforeseen circumstances, she planned to have her parents transfer it to Audrey’s name.
She couldn’t bear to see the one who genuinely cared for her endure any losses.
Concerned, Audrey asked, “Has Jarrod been causing you trouble lately?”
Nicole’s gaze flickered, not wanting to worry Audrey.
“No, don’t overthink it.”
Nicole hadn’t expected Jarrod to be more fragile than herself. As a cancer patient, she had already regained consciousness, but Jarrod remained in a comatose state due to complications from his injuries.
The two conversed for some time. Audrey soon left the ward since she had classes in the afternoon.
After her classes, Audrey returned home with freshly bought ingredients, intending to whip up some nourishing soup for Nicole tomorrow morning before heading to class.
Upon exiting the elevator, she saw a message from Henley on her phone informing her of a new translation job for a minority Language he had arranged for her. The pay wasn’t as high as the previous one, but it was still considerable.
Henley suggested she pick up the materials at his place the next day.
Audrey smiled and replied, “Okay.”
She felt a sense of relief at the thought of almost having enough money for her planned studies abroad.
However, when she took a few steps forward, she accidentally bumped into someone.
Stepping back, Audrey looked up to see a tall figure and froze for a moment.
Cornell towered over her, immediately catching sight of Henley’s messages on her phone.
His expression darkened instantly.
Perplexed, Audrey asked, “Why are you here?”
She thought she had made her stance clear the previous night.
Cornell, a man of pride, wouldn’t come looking for her again, or so she thought.
“What? Am I disturbing you?”
His words dripped with sarcasm, leaving Audrey perplexed about what she had done to upset him again.
They should go their separate ways since their relationship had already ended.
Sighing, she replied, “Yes, you are disturbing me. Mr. Clement, didn’t I make everything clear yesterday?”
Cornell’s eyes narrowed.
“Is it because of Henley that you don’t want to remarry me?”
Audrey furrowed her brow.
“Can you stop involving others in this?”
Cornell’s face darkened even more.
“Well, I see you have been enjoying your time chatting with him.”
Audrey was rendered momentarily speechless.
She then realized he might have seen their recent chat history.
Yet, it was merely a work-related discussion. There was nothing going on between her and Henley.
After the previous incident, Audrey confessed that she had deceived Cornell. She and Henley had never been together.
Perhaps Cornell had never fully trusted her from the start.
Now that a future together was out of the question, he was free to think what he pleased.
“Think what you want.’ Audrey didn’t bother explaining and was about to open the door.
Behind her, Cornell’s once handsome face abruptly turned cold. He held the doorknob before forcefully turning her around and pressing her against the door, his lips descending on hers.
The items in Audrey’s hand fell. Before she could resist, her lips and tongue were captured by Cornell. His intensity was palpable as he fervently sucked and nibbled on her tongue as if trying to extract something through the kiss.
Her mouth was inundated with his invasive breath. Such an aggressive kiss was highly uncomfortable.
Audrey resisted, delivering a hard punch to his chest. In an instant, her hands were firmly restrained by him and pressed against his chest.
Beneath her palms, she felt the powerful and rhythmic beats of Cornell’s heart.
The air around her was saturated with his clean and cold scent.
Audrey’s breath grew shallow, feeling light-headed and faint. She attempted to kick him away with her feet.
Unfortunately, her legs fell short against Cornell’s height. Her kicks barely grazed his shins. They were more of a tickle than anything else.
Cornell finally released Audrey when her face took on an unusual shade of red.
But his tone remained stern.
“Hurry up and breathe.”
Audrey widened her eyes and gasped, finding it hard to believe what she had just heard. What did he mean by that?
Cornell smiled and gently said, “I haven’t finished kissing you yet.”
Audrey couldn’t help but curse, “You bastard!”
Pressing her hands against the door, Cornell held her waist and said, “You didn’t complain when you were drunk. I decided I couldn’t let you take advantage of me for free. I need something in return.”
Infuriated, Audrey retorted without thinking, “Even if I was drunk, you enjoyed it too!”
Cornell pressed his leg against hers, teasing, “You enjoyed it too.”
Feeling his leg’s unwelcome presence, Audrey shot him an annoyed glare.
“If we both enjoyed it, how did I take advantage of you?”
“If that’s the case, why don’t you marry me again?” Cornell suggested.
Only then did Audrey realize the trap she had fallen victim to at the hands of this cunning man.