Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
In Audrey’s room, Annis relayed Janey’s words to Audrey.
Audrey was equally surprised. It didn’t take long for her to recall Cornell’s comforting words about visiting the amusement park with Janey.
Ever a naive girl, Janey didn’t realize the reason Cornell had said so at that time mainly to comfort her, given Cornell’s tight schedule.
This put Audrey in a tough spot. She assumed Cornell might not be available, given he was the CEO of the Clement Group.
Moreover, Audrey felt uncomfortable at the thought of going to the amusement park with her ex-husband.
With these thoughts in mind, Audrey approached Janey, wanting to negotiate with her.
“Janey, how about going to the amusement park just with mommy today?”
Audrey suggested gently.
At these words, the excited gleam in Janey’s eyes vanished. Unlike other children, Janey was quite sensitive. She assumed Cornell no longer wanted to accompany her to the amusement park. Trying to hold back her tears, she pursed her lips and gave a sulky nod. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go with Audrey, but she was upset because Cornell had promised to join them. How could he just break his promise?
Janey’s disappointment was evident. She took off the cloak she had chosen and retreated to a corner, clutching her toy rabbit.
Soon, Annis found Janey sobbing quietly.
Audrey, seeing this, felt a pang of guilt. Understanding Janey’s sensitivity, she knew why the little girl was so upset.
Annis, unable to see Janey like this, suggested, “Why not call Mr. Clement and check if he’s available?”
Audrey had no option but to dial Cornell’s number anyway.
The phone rang for a long time without being picked up. Audrey almost gave up, but the image of Janey’s disappointed face prompted her to try again.
This time, the call connected after a few rings.
Audrey felt a surge of nervousness as she began to speak. “Hey, I’m calling to ask if you’re free…”
Before she could finish, a woman’s voice interrupted from the other end of the line. “I’m sorry, but Cornell is currently in a meeting,” the voice on the other end informed her.
Audrey was momentarily taken aback. Then the woman inquired, “Is this Audrey Foster?”
Audrey confirmed her identity, and the woman introduced herself, “It’s Katie. We met the other day.”
Audrey recalled the name but had little interest in prolonging the conversation with Katie. She responded politely but briefly, “Well, if he’s not available, that’s all I needed to know. Bye!”
However, Katie seemed keen on continuing the conversation. She said with a chuckle, “Audrey, I recall you mentioning you had no feelings for Cornell last time. If that’s the case, perhaps you should ask other men to handle your personal matters. Don’t you think? After all, it’s not quite appropriate to keep disturbing someone else’s fianc?, right?”
Audrey could feel Katie’s arrogance even through the phone.
Katie made it seem like Audrey was having an affair with Cornell.
Right then, Audrey was on the brink of losing her cool and almost hung up. Was Katie actually in a relationship with Cornell? This question lingered in her mind. If Katie’s words were true, then what was Cornell’s intention when he pursued her recently? Who did he take her for? What a jerk! Scumbag! Asshole!
With these thoughts, Audrey replied in a calm tone, “Sorry, I wasn’t aware that you two were engaged. I promise not to contact Cornell again.”
Audrey didn’t feel any guilt as she apologized sincerely. She stood tall, thinking that if Katie was telling the truth and she had known earlier, she would have never gotten involved with Cornell. Moreover, it was Cornell who kept showing up in her life. If Katie was telling the truth, Cornell was a scumbag, no doubt.
“Why don’t you check online, Audrey? Didn’t you see the news about our engagement earlier?” Katie said, deliberately bringing up the news.
Although Cornell’s team had removed almost all the fake news from the internet, the coverage of the so-called engagement between Katie and Cornell from unknown entertainment companies that valued little to the truth of the news they released could still be stumbled upon.
Truth be told, Katie wasn’t afraid Cornell would approach Audrey and explain the situation. After all, it wasn’t something easy to explain.
What added to the difficulty was Audrey’s previous low opinion of Cornell. Cornell’s attempt to explain would likely complicate things further.
Besides, Katie assumed she wasn’t entirely dishonest. She was set on marrying Cornell. Sooner or later, Cornell would become her husband.
Katie had been orchestrating the schemes of marrying Cornell for years, not anticipating Audrey’s sudden return. She had hoped Cecilia’s tricks would succeed in removing Audrey from the picture.
But, to her dismay, Cecilia failed.
Left with no alternative, Katie had to take the matter into her own hands.
With a smile, Katie continued, “Since three years ago, the news about our engagement has been all over the Internet. The Clement Group has aimed for a more discreet profile the recent years. We’ve toned down the media coverage, but our engagement is still a well-known fact to all. Audrey, I don’t think you’re someone who would chase after a man relentlessly. I will let this call slide. Anyway, I suggest you watch your actions and words in the future and stay away from Cornell for your own good.”
Katie’s tone was condescending. Though she didn’t use harsh language, it was clear she was labeling Audrey in a negative light and trying to demean Audrey.
No longer the pushover, Audrey responded coldly, “Miss Glyn, you just said you and Cornell were engaged three years ago. So, you’ve thought of yourself as Cornell’s fianc?e since then, correct?”
Katie answered arrogantly, “Yes, that’s the truth.”
“Is that so? Are you certain? Then, let me add another fact for you.”
After a brief pause, Audrey continued, “Ten days ago, legally speaking, the man you’re talking about was actually my husband. Yet, you claim you’ve been engaged to him for three years. Well, I guess a thanks for your words is in order. Anyway, I’ll keep my right to pursue this matter.”
Upon hearing Audrey’s words, Katie was completely taken aback. Her smile vanished, and her composure dropped as she questioned, “What do you mean?”
Katie had always thought Cornell was single when Audrey was struck by the car incident three years ago. She had little knowledge of their remarriage.
Moreover, after five long years of thought that Audrey had passed away amid the car incident, Cornell kept his marriage status untouched. Katie found it hard to digest the depth of Cornell’s love for Audrey.
Katie’s sense of superiority was gone in an instant. Her failure to make Cornell fall in love with her after all these years added to her distress.
“Just literal meaning. In fact, it’s you who should not meddle with someone else’s husband. Moreover, I’m not interested in Cornell. Be rest assured, I have no desire for such a rubbish,” Audrey sneered.
How could Audrey possibly be interested in a man like Cornell after hearing Katie’s words? The supposed engagement with another woman while pursuing her? Blah. If Katie valued Cornell so much, she could have him.
At the doorway, Janey overheard Audrey’s conversation on the phone.
Janey didn’t grasp everything, but she caught that Cornell was engaged to someone else. How could that be? That was not good.
Janey had learned what an engagement meant when she went to a party with Annis. She understood it as Cornell planning to marry another lady.
But, Cornell had told her he loved no one but her mommy that day. He was a liar! A bad guy! How dare he lie to her!
Thinking this over, Janey grabbed her phone and began pressing it aimlessly.
As Audrey emerged from the room, she found Janey waiting eagerly, holding a small handbag.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Audrey said to Janey, “Janey, today we’re going to have fun at the amusement park with Annis, okay?”
“That’s awesome, mommy!” Beaming, Janey said earnestly, “Mommy, I don’t want a daddy anymore. Because I love you so much, mommy.”
Janey was disappointed in Cornell. She never expected him to be a liar. In her mind, it was her fault that her mommy was being accused over the phone.
Audrey was puzzled by Janey’s sudden change in mood but didn’t dwell on it. She chalked it up to the usual mood swings of children.
The three of them got dressed and were about to leave when Stefan appeared, holding a large gift box adorned with princess illustrations.
“Stefan!” Janey jumped on Stefan with excitement. The toy she had recently mentioned to Stefan was right there, something she hadn’t anticipated Stefan would find so quickly.
Noticing they were on their way out, Stefan inquired, “Where are you all headed?”
“Stefan, my mommy and I are off to the amusement park. Would you like to join us?” Janey asked.
“Is this an invitation for me, Janey?” Stefan knelt down and asked softly.
“Yes, come with us to the park!” Janey replied expectantly.
At this, Stefan looked over at Audrey.
Recently, Stefan had expressed his desire to spend time with Audrey for the rest of his life, but she hadn’t responded yet. This made their encounter a tad embarrassing.
Audrey quickly said, “Stefan might be busy, Janey.”
“Is that so? It’s okay then, Stefan,” Janey replied, showing no signs of sadness. In her eyes, Stefan was like a member of their family.
However, Stefan stood up and cleared his throat. “Actually, I have no plans today.”
Audrey was stunned momentarily.
“Do you mind if I come along?” Stefan asked tentatively. It was his first time actively pursuing a woman.
“I don’t mind but just a heads up. Janey can be quite lively.” said Audrey embarrassedly.
“I don’t mind that at all. I’m quite fond of Janey,” Stefan responded.
So, all four of them set off to the amusement park together.
Annis, keen on setting Audrey up with Stefan, took it upon herself to keep Janey entertained most of the time.
Meanwhile, Audrey and Stefan simply stood by, watching in silence.
“About the other day..