Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Luciana, seeing the commotion, came over and hugged Katie, showing concern.
“What’s wrong, dear?”
Katie felt her sense of injustice grow as she heard Luciana’s soft words.
Struggling to speak through tears, she managed to say, “Luciana….
Cornell insisted that I take off my bracelet…. And it accidentally broke!”.
Luciana, understanding the situation after seeing the broken bracelet, turned to Cornell with a disapproving look.
“It was just a bracelet.
There is no need for such a reaction.”
Feeling deeply offended, Katie tearfully asked, “How much was the bracelet? I’ll pay you back.”
Luciana rejected the idea.
“Don’t be ridiculous, dear. Money shouldn’t be an issue between us.”
Turning her attention back to Cornell, Luciana admonished, “Cornell, Katie just arrived and she’s still jet-lagged. Is this how you welcome a guest?”
Cornell’s face became icy and distant. He ignored Katie and focused solely on Luciana.
“Did you really give her this bracelet?”
Luciana’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly regained her composure and replied, “Yes, I gave it to him. We had just met and I didn’t have a chance to prepare an appropriate gift.”
Pursing his thin lips, Cornell continued to stare at Luciana, his voice icy.
“Mom, you know how much Audrey valued your affection.”
Surprised by his words, Luciana felt a sudden tension.
“But you don’t care anymore, do you?”
Cornell’s expression remained icy, showing no intention of further conversation. Firmly, he signaled everyone to leave.
“I’m tired.
Please leave now.”
“You, Mi…”
“Leave.”
Luciana’s complexion paled, shocked by Cornell’s unprecedented disrespect.
Katie, observing the tense atmosphere, gently guided Luciana away, whispering words of comfort.
Approaching Henley’s hospital room, Audrey heard a commotion.
Startled, she saw Gerda emerge from the room, her face covered in tears.
Audrey guided Gerda to a nearby bench and asked her about the situation.
In tears, Gerda told him the distressing news.
“The doctor said Henley’s infection is getting worse. They may have to amputate his leg.”
Audrey felt his heart fail him.
Amputation? How could the situation be so serious?
In disbelief, she asked, “Are you sure that’s what the doctor said?”
Gerda continued to cry.
“Yes, my talented son could lose his leg-how is he supposed to live like that?”
The news hit Audrey like a bolt of lightning, leaving her equally devastated.
Audrey struggled to understand how Henley, with his exceptional character and talent, could accept such a devastating turn of events.
Gerda’s plea was heartbreaking.
“Audrey, please stay by Henley’s side. He has endured all this for you. You can’t leave him now.”
Audrey felt a surge of surprise.
Hadn’t Henley told his mother that their relationship was only pretend?
Audrey began to falter, “Gerda, Henley and I….”.
But before Audrey could complete his thoughts….
Plop! Gerda fell to her knees.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as Gerda implored, “Audrey, you mustn’t leave Henley now. He needs you. He will not accept the situation easily.
If anything happens to my son, I couldn’t bear to live.”
Audrey, startled by Gerda’s sudden crisis, moved quickly to help her.
All around her, onlookers, including medical personnel, cast disapproving glances.
As she struggled to help Gerda to her feet, Audrey’s eyes filled with tears.
“Please sit down first so we can talk about it.”
Unexpectedly, Gerda not only refused to get up, but called out to Henley’s father.
“Come here. Ask Audrey not to leave Henley.”
Audrey was speechless. He tried to compose himself, searching for the right response in this overwhelming situation.
The presence of Henley’s father brought some order to the situation.
“What are you doing?” he asked Gerda.
He helped Gerda back to the bench, where she continued to cry.
He looked at Audrey with a worried expression and apologized, “I’m sorry about all this. My wife is very sensitive right now, did she scare you?”.
Audrey shook his head, showing his understanding.
“It’s all right. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for all of you.”
Understanding the gravity of the circumstances, he knew that no one could remain calm.
Henley’s father spoke calmly.
“Audrey, there may still be hope for Henley. I have contacted some specialists overseas. There are success stories. Amputation is not the only way, although the chances are slim.
But we have to hold on to hope, don’t we?”.
A glimmer of hope flared in Audrey’s heart. He quickly replied, “Of course. We mustn’t give up if there’s even the slightest chance.”
Henley’s father looked doubtful, but continued, “The problem is Henley himself. He’s afraid of the possibility of failure. Could you talk to him?”
Gerda grabbed Audrey’s hand, eyes pleading.
“Audrey, Henley is listening to you. Please help us convince him.”
Audrey nodded firmly. He felt a deep responsibility since Henley had been injured saving her. He would do whatever it took to convince him to accept treatment.
After all, Henley had done so much for her.
Inside the chaotic hospital room, Henley lay motionless in the hospital bed. She stared at her legs, her face a mask of pallor.
Audrey’s heart shrank at the sight of him. He said softly, “Henley, I’m sorry…”.
Noticing her, Henley stifled his frustration. In a slow, measured tone, he replied, “It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”
Audrey hesitated, then spoke.
“Your father mentioned that there’s a possibility of overseas treatment for your legs.”
Henley’s expression darkened as he dismissed the idea, “I’m not going.