Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“Hey, bro, where are you going? If you don’t heed my advice, you’ll regret it!” Luis called out, but Cornell continued going down the stairs with a somber expression.
Meanwhile, Audrey and Stefan were almost done eating. Stefan was carefully peeling a crab for Audrey.
Feeling a little embarrassed, Audrey spoke up. “Stefan, it’s all my bad today. I said I’d introduce a girl to you, but she couldn’t make it.”
After the phone call, Elin sent a message to Audrey, saying that she didn’t want to be in any relationship at the moment.
It puzzled Audrey since Elin hadn’t objected when they had discussed the topic earlier. Why had Elin suddenly changed her mind?
Audrey resolved to have a heart-to-heart conversation with Elin when she returned.
Stefan, in a gentle tone, began, “Audrey, actually, I don’t want a girlfriend.”
Hearing this, Audrey looked at him in bewilderment. She couldn’t understand why both Elin and Stefan were rejecting the idea of being in a relationship.
With a faint smile on his face, Stefan continued, “I’m looking for someone who’s ready to take that walk down the aisle with me.”
“Are you saying you want to start a family?” Audrey asked.
“Well, I’m getting on in years, you know.”
“Don’t be absurd. You’re not that old. I’d say you’re quite young and handsome.”
“Really? You think so?” Stefan beamed.
“Absolutely. I swear I’m telling the truth.” Seeing that Stefan didn’t seem to believe her words, Audrey said earnestly, “You look like a college student.”
Audrey decided to be candid since she considered Stefan as an older brother figure. She often used this kind of flattery with Erick, so she thought it might work similarly with Stefan.
“Well, what kind of man do you like then?” Stefan casually asked.
“My type?” Audrey pondered over the question.
“If you were looking for a stepfather for Janey, what type of person would you prefer?” Stefan urged.
Audrey’s mind raced. A stepfather for Janey… The image of Cornell popped into Audrey’s mind, but she quickly shook her head to dismiss the thought.
“I have only one requirement: he must be kind to Janey,” Audrey finally replied.
“And what about you?”
“Me?” Audrey asked with confusion written all over her face.
Stefan nodded. “Don’t you have any expectations for your man?”
Audrey pondered for a moment and answered, “Well, he should be easygoing, responsible, and honest with me.”
Stefan refilled their drinks and dropped a bomb. “Do you think I meet your criteria?”
“Ahem…” Audrey nearly choked on a drink upon hearing his question.
Seeing that Stefan was about to rush to her aid, Audrey waved her hand to signal to him not to worry.
While Audrey drank, Stefan asked straightforwardly, “Erick told me that you’re looking for someone to be Janey’s stepfather. Would you consider me?”
Audrey took a deep breath, surprised by his words. “Stefan, you..
“Audrey, I have no romantic aspirations, and I believe I’m at the right age to start a family. We complement each other in many ways, and Janey likes me. I think I’m a suitable candidate for the role,”
Stefan said seriously.
Audrey agreed with him. He was indeed a good fit to be Janey’s stepfather.
As a scholar, Stefan had little interest in romantic matters and approached things rationally. He believed that he was at an age where starting a family was appropriate, and he was willing to accept Audrey as his wife.
Audrey understood Stefan’s practical approach. It was obvious he wasn’t seeking a passionate romance but rather a compatible partner to be his spouse.
For a moment, Audrey was silent, lost in thought. After a short while, she concluded that Stefan was indeed the most suitable man for her. She knew him well and was confident he would be good to Janey.
Still, the suddenness of it all took Audrey by surprise. She had planned to set up Stefan with Elin. But now, their paths seemed to be diverging.
But then again, there was something more pressing on her mind.
“Actually, right now, .” Audrey began.
Just as Audrey was about to express her thoughts to Stefan, her words were abruptly cut off by a cold and stern voice. “Are you finished with dinner?”
Cornell appeared out of nowhere, pulled a chair between Audrey and Stefan, and took a seat. He noticed the crab meat on Audrey’s plate, personally peeled by Stefan, and his expression darkened, though he said nothing for the moment.
Audrey found herself in a rather awkward situation as Cornell abruptly interrupted their conversation.
Realizing that Cornell was the one who had sent the wine, Stefan narrowed his eyes and asked, “Audrey, who’s this?”
“He’s my ex-husband,” Audrey replied.
“Her current husband,” Cornell corrected her.
Then, a silence engulfed them.
Upon hearing Audrey’s words, Cornell’s face grew even darker.
Noticing the tension between Audrey and Cornell, Stefan chose not to say anything. Audrey remembered the last time Cornell had shown her their wedding photo seemingly out of nowhere. She didn’t want to escalate the situation in public. She composed herself and reluctantly clarified, “He’ll soon be my ex.”
Cornell felt frustrated by her remark. What was the point of her explaining their status?
Meanwhile, Stefan remained composed and level-headed. Despite having questions, he knew better than to put Audrey in a predicament.
“Shall we go now?” Stefan suggested to Audrey, who nodded in response.
Stefan stood up. With that, he and Audrey left the table without so much as a glance at Cornell.
Cornell’s expression darkened. Audrey acted like it was as if he were invisible to her.
Cornell couldn’t bear it any longer. He loosened the button on his collar, strode forward, grabbed Audrey’s wrist from behind, and pulled her into his arms.
Audrey struggled, but her efforts were in vain.
“If you keep resisting me, I won’t hesitate to remind you of that kiss. And this time, I won’t be lenient with you,” Cornell warned sternly in a low voice.
Audrey thought Cornell was capable of such actions, so she stopped resisting.
Stefan glanced back at their interlocked hands and inquired, “Audrey?”
Cornell’s eyes had the ferocity of a wild animal on the verge of attack.
Audrey worried that Stefan and Cornell might clash. Stefan, being more delicate, would be no match for Cornell’s brute strength and would surely get hurt.
“Stefan, go ahead to the car and wait for me. I need to have a word with him,” Audrey responded.
Stefan looked concerned and questioned, “Are you sure you can handle it?”
At Stefan’s words, Cornell tightened his grip on Audrey’s wrist, looking like he might lash out at Stefan any moment.
Audrey swiftly moved between them, shielding Stefan.
This gesture seemed to pierce Cornell’s heart, leaving him feeling choked up.
Audrey reassured Stefan, “Don’t worry. I’ll come to you later.”
Interpreting Cornell’s look, Stefan trusted Cornell wouldn’t harm Audrey. Convinced she could manage, he nodded and left.
Once Stefan walked away, Audrey, annoyed, shook her hand. “Can you let go of me?”
Cornell only slightly eased his hold but didn’t release her. He questioned, “Is this what you call being busy? Seeing another man?”
His tone was unmistakably jealous. Had Erick not informed her of Cornell’s madness for his first love, Audrey might have thought Cornell’s jealousy was due to his feelings for her. With a smile, she chose not to clarify, instead asking, “Mr. Clement, are you jealous?”
Cornell’s lips thinned as he prepared to speak, but Audrey cut in, “Feeling jealous? Feel free to date other women. It doesn’t bother me.”
Audrey wasn’t just okay with it. She actually welcomed the idea. That way, she could use his unfaithfulness as leverage in their divorce proceedings. It would hasten her escape from this uncomfortable marriage.
Cornell’s eyes turned stormy. Clenching his teeth, he declared, “There’s no other woman for me but you!”
Audrey couldn’t suppress a sneer. He was really laying on the charm thick. With a small curl of her lips, she replied, “Sadly, I don’t share your sentiment. I’ll date whoever I choose.”
Cornell’s eyes narrowed, a glint of threat in them. “Audrey, do you understand what you’re saying?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m free to date any man I wish. Mr. Clement, if this upsets you, divorce is an option,” Audrey challenged Cornell.
Cornell’s voice turned icy. “Audrey, did you forget our agreement?”