Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“Fine, I’ll let you do it. But don’t be mad at me when you’re finally sober,” Cornell said.
“Humph!”” Audrey’s voice in the recording suggested she seemed to be under the effects of the drug, as the rest of the recording consisted of suggestive sounds.
Audrey couldn’t bear it any longer. She was so mortified that she wished she could find a hole to hide in. Did she really say those words? The voice undeniably belonged to her!
Seeing Audrey’s flushed face, Cornell couldn’t help but feel somewhat smug. He grinned and remarked, “I knew you wouldn’t admit it once you sobered up, so I kept the evidence.”
After taking a deep breath, Audrey managed to regain her composure and implored, “Please delete it.”
“Of course.”
Upon hearing his ready agreement, Audrey began to feel a little sorry for Cornell.
Her remorse, however, was short-lived.
Cornell looked at Audrey with a serious expression and said, “I don’t like coming out of situations empty-handed. If you let me do the same thing to you, I’ll delete the recording right away.”
Audrey was left speechless momentarily. “You wish!” She gritted her teeth in frustration. She had just started to hold Cornell in high regard when he was with Janey earlier. But now, he was making this shameless request.
Cornell lowered his gaze to hide his determination. “It’s alright. No rush. Take your time to think it over.”
Cornell was willing to do whatever it took to win Audrey back. He would try whatever tactics as long as it worked. In any case, he was not about to give up on her.
The following morning, Audrey received a document from Erick, who was till in Swynborough. It was something about Cary.
After browsing through the document, Audrey formulated a plan and started getting ready. She sat in front of the vanity and applied some concealer to mask the dark circles under her eyes.
The more concealer she used, the more her anger simmered.
It was all Cornell’s fault. How could he record everything and even send her a copy of it? She had been so embarrassed that she hadn’t slept a wink all night. It felt more distressing than having compromising photos in someone else’s possession.
Victor picked Audrey up at the gate and then briefed her on her findings. “Miss, a little bird told me that Cary’s wife plans to hold a press conference at ten o’clock to target against you.”
“It’s fine. We can handle it.” This time, Audrey swore to herself she would make that scumbag pay.
Just then, her phone rang. It was Matteo with something intriguing to share.
“Mr. Clement said that he’ll let you handle this on your own,” Matteo cut straight to the point.
“I got it. Do send my thanks to him,” Audrey messaged back.
“Mr. Clement insists on actions over words,” Matteo replied.
Reading that, Audrey was taken aback. She clenched her teeth and typed, “Tell him to go fuck himself.” She was not about to let Cornell take advantage of her.
Upon arriving at the venue where Cary’s wife was hosting the press conference, Audrey felt a hand grasp her arm. She turned to see a woman with vibrant red lips, sunglasses, and alluring curly hair.
“Nell?” Audrey uttered in disbelief.
“Somebody dares to mess with my best friend, so I must teach her a lesson, don’t you think?” Nell stated confidently. Actually, Nell was Nicole’s alias, which she used to avoid Jarrod in the past.
Nicole and Audrey had previously fought side by side against some gangsters while they were out of the country.
“It’s so good to have you around!” Audrey declared cheerfully and went into the venue with Nicole.
Neither Audrey nor Nicole noticed Cornell, Luis and Jarrod had entered behind them.
Inside, a grand charity auction was taking place at the exhibition center, attracting numerous celebrities and esteemed guests. Cornell, Luis, and Jarrod were among the attendees.
As someone with sharp eyes, Luis spotted Audrey’s figure and asked, “Isn’t that Audrey?”
Cornell was not surprised. He had known Audrey would be here. The information Matteo had gathered was enough for her to handle Cary’s wife.
Luis raised an eyebrow and commented, “Don’t you think that woman over there looks familiar? She reminds me of…”
Luis racked his brain, trying to remember who the girl was. And when he realized who she was, he didn’t dare to say her name out loud.
“Jarrod, doesn’t she resemble Miss lawrence?”
As soon as Luis said these words, Nicole standing beside Audrey removed her sunglasses and turned around. Her red lipstick accentuated her allure.
“Fuck!” Luis exclaimed, his face contorting in shock. What the hell?
How could it be possible? Nicole was dead…
Luis was too stunned to say another word. He turned around, wanting to look at Jarrod’s expression, but Jarrod had disappeared without a trace.
Meanwhile, following Audrey, Nicole was about to enter the elevator.
Suddenly, a strong hand clamped onto Nicole’s wrist as though it intended to crush her hand.
Nicole turned her head and found herself face to face with a man whose demeanor was as icy as his expression. An intimidating aura surrounded him.
“Nicole!” Jarrod called out. His eyes were red, and he held Nicole’s wrist in a tight grip as though he wanted to consume her. Then, his thin lips parted and repeated the name, “Nicole!”
Nicole was wearing a sexy black dress. She was slender, but her figure was voluptuous and alluring.
Jarrod couldn’t take his eyes off Nicole’s face. He knew she had come back alive, but seeing her in the flesh made every breath sting.
The pain was nothing less than what Jarrod had felt five years ago when he cradled the lifeless body which he assumed was Nicole’s in his arms. Night after night, he was tormented by that memory and the agony it brought.
Now, looking back, Jarrod found his deeds ridiculous. Nicole had tricked him with a body that couldn’t be identified.
After encountering Nicole that night, Jarrod had the body’s DNA checked, but it matched no one in the national database. It seemed Nicole had used the body of some unknown homeless person to deceive him once again.
The thought of how this heartless woman had tricked him filled Jarrod with a burning rage. He wanted to lash out at her, but for some reason, he couldn’t suppress the longing to embrace her.
His heart ached unbearably. Jarrod was sure that even the pain of a thousand arrows couldn’t match this torment.
Nicole, on the other hand, showed no sign of surprise upon seeing Jarrod. She simply raised an eyebrow and asked, “Could you release me, Mr. Schultz?” Her tone was cool and detached as if she hadn’t tricked Jarrod with that body at all.
Nicole was eerily composed as if there were no bitter feelings between her and Jarrod.
Jarrod was stunned by her calm demeanor. He couldn’t fathom how she could be so collected after everything.
Clenching his jaw, Jarrod asked in a measured tone, “Nicole, do you really get a kick out of fooling me like this?”
Before Nicole could utter a word, Audrey’s brow creased in concern.
“Didn’t you hear her? She told you to let her go,” Audrey asserted.
Jarrod, however, kept his grip on Nicole’s wrist as if deaf to Audrey’s words.
Impatient and agitated, Audrey pulled at Jarrod, insisting, “Release her, now!”
Trying to fend off Audrey’s attempts, Jarrod suddenly felt an arm seizing his wrist. It was Victor, not particularly tall but exuding a commanding presence. “Don’t touch her,” Victor stated firmly.
Jarrod, underestimating Victor, attempted to free himself from what he thought were weak grips.
To Jarrod’s astonishment, Victor’s hold was unyielding, suggesting some hidden strength or training.
Simultaneously, Cornell positioned himself strategically behind Jarrod, his gaze icy and serious. “Jarrod, have a nice talk. No need for violence,” Cornell advised.
Audrey’s realization dawned. She looked at Jarrod with a mix of disgust and accusation. “So you’re the one who hurt Nicole?” she questioned. “No wonder all the scumbags know each other.”
Caught off guard, Cornell found himself unexpectedly being reprimanded.
Luis, wearing a grin, chimed in, “Hey Audrey, remember I always treated you well. Don’t group me with these scumbags.”
Though Audrey didn’t quite recall Luis, she noted his constant smile and seemingly amicable demeanor. “I hope that’s true,” she replied with a nod.
Luis burst into laughter at her response, causing Cornell to frown in disapproval.
Frustrated, Audrey grasped Nicole’s arm and demanded Jarrod, “Release her now.”
Jarrod didn’t want to let Nicole go. Five years had passed. For five long years, he’d yearned for Nicole. He’d often dreamed of holding her hand. But awakening brought the harsh truth. It was only a dream, just a fleeting fantasy.
Cornell had clung to the belief that Audrey was alive all these years despite the car incident inflicted on Audrey.
However, Jarrod had seen, even touched, what he thought was Nicole’s mutilated body.
Nicole had planned everything perfectly, leaving Jarrod no room for doubt.
Jarrod longed to ask Nicole why she’d been so heartless with him. He couldn’t stop staring at Nicole, afraid she’d vanish if he blinked.
He finally said, “Should we talk here, or somewhere private?”
Nicole, anticipating this moment with Jarrod, had a plan long ago.
Looking at Jarrod, she suggested playfully, “Somewhere private is better.”