Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Navigating the house with familiarity, he noticed that it was dark, save for a sliver of light coming from the bedroom.
As Audrey approached the door, he saw Cornell on the balcony through a gap. He was standing there, cigarette in hand, still dressed in his formal suit, as if he had just returned from a social event.
In the moonlight, he looked lonely and tired.
“Lonely” to Cornell? That word didn’t quite fit.
Audrey knocked softly on the door. Cornell, after exhaling a plume of smoke, turned to look at her, his expression devoid of surprise or pleasure.
His lack of surprise was due to the fact that Matteo had warned him of her arrival.
His displeasure arose from the realization that Audrey’s visit was motivated by his concern for Nicole, not for him.
He snorted. Audrey had never shown as much concern for him as he had for Nicole.
This realization darkened Cornell’s eyes.
Determined to save Nicole, Audrey stepped forward.
He approached Cornell and spoke.
“Cornell.”
Cornell remained silent, which prompted Audrey to continue, “Can you help get Nicole out of the detention center?”
She believed that even if she couldn’t convince Jarrod, Cornell could get Nicole out of the detention center.
Upon hearing her request, Cornell’s expression changed slightly.
Then Audrey got straight to the point.
Earlier he had asked Jarrod for help in freeing Nicole. Now, he turned to him for help regarding Nicole’s situation.
Cornell raised an eyebrow and replied, “It’s not a difficult thing. But why should I help you?”
Taking a deep breath, Audrey approached Cornell. He lifted his face, wrapping his arms around his neck.
“I’ll offer you anything you want in return, is that fair?”.
To her dismay, Cornell seemed unmoved.
In desperation, Audrey began unbuttoning her coat.
Cornell was taken aback by her boldness. He had known that Audrey first sought Henley’s help.
Now, seeing her with him, he felt a pang of disappointment toward her.
“You think I’ll go along with this?” Cornell’s voice was infused with contempt.
“You overestimate yourself.”
Audrey paused, skin crawling.
He tried to steel himself, but Cornell’s harsh words crushed his spirits.
Audrey felt deeply humiliated with her body exposed.
Cornell’s expression changed, surprised by her choice of attire.
His breathing became heavy.
Embarrassment consumed Audrey.
He had never dressed like this before.
Cornell’s harsh words, indicating his refusal to help her, brought tears to her eyes.
She hastily wrapped her coat around herself, leaving it unbuttoned as she headed for the door.
But before she could get out, Cornell’s hand caught her. He pulled her back hard, shoving her against a closet.
In one swift motion, he ripped open her coat, exposing her figure.
Audrey felt a sharp pain in her back and instinctively tried to protect her figure, but Cornell grabbed her hand tightly, pinning her down.
“Let go of me, Cornell!”
Her plea was choked with tears, her eyes reddened.
Cornell, his eyes aflame with desire and anger, replied harshly, “Let go? For you to wear this to beg another man?”
His words painted her in a shameful light.
Audrey, trembling and sobbing, protested, “What’s the matter with you? Let go of me Cornell’s grip on her chin forced her to look him in the eye as he sneered, “What, Henley didn’t help you? How many times did you sleep with him? Well… He seems soft, so he must not have been good at it. Was I better than him?”
Jealousy clouded Cornell’s reason, his mind fixated on the imagination of Audrey letting himself be touched by other men.
He felt as if a fire burned within him, driving him to teach Audrey a lesson.
Anger and shock shook Audrey, his voice trembling, “Have you been following me?”
Cornell, looking into her teary eyes, narrowed his own.
“How else would I have known what you did, all because of your friend?”
His tone was infused with jealousy as he sneered, “Audrey, you surprised me.”
His words felt like arrows piercing Audrey’s heart, leaving her utterly defeated.
With tear-filled eyes, Audrey demanded, “Let go of me, Cornell!”.
Noticing her pained expression, Cornell thought he might have hurt her, so he loosened his grip.
Audrey quickly withdrew his hand.
Clap! In one swift motion, Audrey slapped Cornell across the face.
Eyes red-rimmed with emotion, he faced him.
“Cornell Clement, it’s none of your business how many dates I’ve been on-what right do you have to question my actions?”
Cornell’s expression changed radically.
Audrey’s words implied that they were no longer in a relationship, rendering his feelings of jealousy and his criticism meaningless.
His heart sank. He felt a crushing sense of helplessness.
Audrey’s hand trembled with rage.
“Why offer hope only to humiliate me? Or was that your plan all along?”
As Audrey tried to hold back tears, anger took hold of her.
She grabbed her purse and struck Cornell fiercely.
“Your wish has been granted. You are despicable.”
Cornell had given her hope through Matteo, only to degrade her now.
You bastard, you absolute son of a bitch!
Head bowed, Audrey wiped away her tears, preparing to leave.
Cornell, moved to tears, fought his instincts. His mind urged him to let her go, deeming her unworthy.
However, he could not bear to see her cry and let her go.
He took a step forward, halting her gait.
“I will help you.”
Audrey stopped struggling, meeting Cornell’s gaze with teary eyes.
“So what do you want?”.
Cornell evaded a direct answer.
“I’ll tell you after Nicole’s release.”
“Is it something I can’t afford?”. questioned Audrey, apprehensive.