Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Audrey’s eyes lingered on the bracelet that adorned Katie’s wrist, his feelings a tangle of emotions. Despite his inner turmoil, he managed to maintain his composure and offered Katie a gentle handshake.
Audrey, ready to leave, politely addressed Luciana, “Keep talking. I’m going.”
Remarkably, Audrey addressed Luciana in a rather polite manner, indicating a change in her feelings.
Luciana responded with a silent nod, saying nothing.
As Audrey was about to leave, Cornell’s voice, icy and firm, stopped her.
“Don’t go.”
Audrey paused for a moment, but continued toward the door.
Cornell tried to get up from the bed hurriedly, but the sudden movement aggravated his wound and made him wince.
Luciana hurried to hold him and turned to Katie.
“Please stay with Cornell. I will accompany Audrey.”
Cornell, held back by Luciana, paled, weakly insisting, “Tell him I’m not done talking.”
Luciana’s expression changed subtly as she nodded, acknowledging his request.
Outside the hospital, Luciana quickly caught up with Audrey.
“Audrey, can I talk to you for a moment?”
Audrey paused, showing no sign of refusal.
Luciana began, with a concerned expression, “I’ve been informed of Tessa’s incident.”
Luciana had heard about Tessa’s tragic end. Although she didn’t like Tessa, she felt sorry for her.
Kenya had come at Luciana with a scathing accusation, saying that if Cornell had not dealt harshly with Tessa for Audrey’s sake, Tessa might not have met such a terrible end.
Despite their distant family ties, Luciana was worried about the consequences of escalation, especially one that would result in loss of life.
Katie and Cornell had known each other since they were children. They were very close. Katie moved overseas early on. But now that she’s back, and since our families are similar, we thought about matching.”
Luciana emphasized the family background, conveying an underlying message.
Audrey responded bluntly, “Luciana, if there is something you want to say, please be honest.”
Luciana continued, “Cornell got hurt again while saving you. The board members are expressing their displeasure that he has been hospitalized twice in just one month.”
After a brief pause, Luciana let out a sigh.
“I don’t mean to be harsh. I told you before that I hoped you would never see each other again.
Please don’t force me to do anything. I don’t want to be seen as the villain here.”
Her words carried an implied warning.
Audrey’s color drained from his face and he unconsciously clenched his fist, digging his fingernails into his palm.
The situation was fraught with irony.
Luciana, who had once held her hand and professed maternal feelings, was now threatening her.
Luciana’s affection for her seemed to her as delicate as dandelions, easily dispersed by the slightest wind.
Earlier, Audrey had tried to understand Luciana’s actions as a mother’s concern for her child, but now things seemed less clear.
Was she really the sole cause of all those problems? What had brought Tessa to this dire situation? Wasn’t it because of Cecilia? And the cause of Cecilia’s actions was none other than Cornell. Wasn’t Audrey also a victim in this tangled web?
“Luciana, I assure you I will keep my promise. I will not reach out to him unless he does so first,” Audrey said calmly.
The audacity he had mustered earlier had evaporated.
One harrowing episode was more than enough.
Luciana’s concerns, however, were elsewhere. She knew Cornell well.
Underneath his carefree, rebellious exterior, he was not someone who was easily led.
Luciana suggested, “You know, you’re still young.
Studying abroad might open up better opportunities for you. Think about it. If you agree, I’ll take care of the expenses.”
Audrey had not expected Luciana to be so reluctant about his presence, to the point of not wanting him to stay in the country.
Audrey offered a slight smile, weighing Luciana’s suggestion but not dismissing it out of hand.
“I’ll think about it.”
Audrey’s plans to go abroad were already in motion. He didn’t want to upset Luciana. After all, he once felt a deep affection for Luciana, whom he saw as a mother figure.
After expressing her thoughts, Luciana breathed a sigh of relief.
Neither of them felt like chatting, so they each went on their way.
In the hospital room…
Katie looked at Cornell. Although Cornell seemed somewhat fragile, his charm was undeniable. She couldn’t hide her happiness at the sight of him and smiled broadly.
“I’ve been looking forward to hugging you. It’s been so long. However, I didn’t expect you to be so fragile.”
Cornell asked, “Why are you dressed like that?”
Since she was a little girl, Katie had always worn tomboy clothes. Cornell had mistaken her for a boy before and played with her.
Katie kept this style until she was fifteen or sixteen.
Since then, Cornell hadn’t seen her in that attire, mostly due to her time abroad.
Katie’s face tensed briefly at Cornell’s question, but she quickly replied with a hint of defiance, “You don’t like it?”
Cornell preferred not to comment on her appearance, avoiding criticizing a woman’s choice of clothing.
His heart, however, had been captivated by Audrey’s smile from the first moment he saw her.
Katie smiled again and shrugged her shoulders with a nonchalant air.
“If it bothers you, just look at me as the same old Katie. I haven’t really changed.”
Cornell shot her a look and roughly grabbed her wrist.
“How did you get this bracelet?”
Katie flinched, feeling the pain of his grip. She furrowed her brows.
“It’s a gift from Luciana.”
Cornell’s expression turned stern. He didn’t mince words.
“Take it off.”
Katie was surprised, straining to understand his reaction.
“Cornell, since when did you become so possessive?”
Without explanation, Cornell repeated the command.
“Take it off.”
Anger seized Katie and tears welled up in her eyes.
She tried to remove the bracelet, but his strong grip caused it to slip from her hand, shattering on the floor.
“Oh, no!”
A high-pitched sound echoed in the room.
The refined bracelet snapped in two.
Cornell gazed at the shattered pieces, feeling a heavy burden in his heart, and an unexpected rage seized him.
“Get out!”
Katie, surprised by his sudden fury, froze. At that moment, Luciana entered the room.