Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
The thought of therapy made luciana feel uneasy since it often left her with a foggy mind and poor memory for days afterward. For some inexplicable reason, she was starting to become wary of therapy.
“Oh, come on, luciana. I’ve already made an appointment with Mr Gomez for you. He even canceled on high-profile clients just for you Katie insisted. Mr. Gomez was well-known for his psychological treatment and relaxation therapies and was highly sought after by the elite.
For all that had been said, luciana found it hard to refuse and nodded in agreement. “All right.”
On the hillside.
In a luxurious villa, a room filled with swirling smoke created an air of mystery.
Luciana lay on a chair, deeply asleep.
The door creaked open and Katie walked in. She didn’t even glance at the sleeping luciana, accustomed to the scene.
“Did she say anything?” Katie asked.
Mr. Gomez nodded. “She said she saw her deceased daughter-in-law at the hospital just now.”
Katie’s expression turned frigid. Just as she suspected!
“So she kept it from me.” A malicious smile curved Katie’s lips. She ordered, “In that case, tell her that if her son marries her former daughter-in-law, he will die.”
Again, Mr. Gomez nodded. “We should stick to the previous hypnosis technique and have her return for additional sessions.”
“No need,” Katie said sharply. “Use deep hypnosis. The kind that works in one go.”
“That could be quite harmful,” Mr. Gomez warned.
Katie smirked. “It doesn’t matter.”
Since luciana dared to keep secrets from her, Katie found no remorse for disregarding luciana’s health. After all, the only reason she kept luciana around was for her goal to marry Cornell. After that, she didn’t care whether luciana died or lived.
“Alright,” Mr. Gomez agreed.
Before Katie left, she glanced at luciana’s pale face, her smile darkening.
When luciana emerged from the so-called therapy, her limbs felt weak, and her face had lost its color as though she had aged significantly in a mere moment.
“Luciana! Katie called out, hurrying to steady luciana, who seemed on the verge of collapsing.
Luciana, holding her head in her hands, spoke with lips that had turned a shade paler. “Why are my hands trembling and my legs so feeble..
Katie assisted luciana into the car, asking with a tone full of concern, “Luciana, you didn’t take the medicine I gave you exactly as prescribed, did you?”
Luciana confessed, “I accidentally spilled it one day, and then there was none left for me to take.”
“I knew something was wrong! Why didn’t you tell me about it? I could have brought you more!”
“Didn’t you mention that the medicine is hard to come by?” luciana whispered, “I didn’t want to impose on you.”
“Luciana, you’re being too polite with me.” Katie’s voice grew tender, her face breaking into a gentle smile. “I’m here for you. How could you hesitate to ask for my assistance?”
Katie retrieved a bottle of medicine from the car and handed it to luciana. “This was acquired by a friend from overseas. Knowing it’s scarce, I made sure to have extras on hand, just in case you needed it urgently.”
Luciana accepted the medicine, offering a smile in return. “Thank you, Katie.”
“Just make sure you take it as directed, or it won’t do its job,”
Katie cautioned her.
The medicine in question was crucial for luciana to get a good night’s sleep. Her stop taking medicine had led to frequent night awakenings, leaving her unable to find rest. The toll on her mental well-being was becoming increasingly apparent. As long as she had this medicine, her nights were peaceful.
Luciana expressed her thanks warmly, “Katie, you’re incredibly kind.”
“Luciana, how many times must I tell you? There’s no need for such formality with me.” Katie, feigning irritation and locking eyes with luciana, said, “You’ve always been like a mother to me in my heart.
Do you still see me as an outsider?”
Luciana’s face softened as she met Katie’s gaze. “Katie, in my eyes, you’re like a daughter-in-law…”
Luciana’s voice trailed off. When “daughter-in-law” escaped her lips, those words seemed to strike her suddenly.
The next moment, her hands flew to Katie’s throat, her voice rising in a frenzy. “You… You will bring my son to ruin. I will not let you harm him! I will not let you!”
Caught completely off guard, Katie found herself being forcefully pushed down into the car seat by luciana.
Luciana, who had always maintained her strength through regular exercise, now had her gaunt fingers gripping Katie’s throat like iron bands, tightening with every passing second. It seemed she wouldn’t cease until Katie was devoid of breath.
In a panic, Katie managed to grab her handbag and struck luciana on the head with all her might.
The blow brought luciana back to her senses momentarily. She gazed at Katie, then at her own actions, and let out a horrified scream, releasing her grip.
“Katie, I’m so sorry. I truly lost my senses, confusing you for someone else…” luciana paused mid-sentence, her mind racing to recall whom she had imagined strangling. Her expression turned to one of panic, her fingers quivering.
Luciana was baffled. Why did Katie’s face seem to morph into Audrey’s in her moment of frenzy? Was Audrey truly alive? The image of that passing figure she had seen in the hospital earlier sharpened luciana’s gaze.
Gasping for air, Katie was seized by a bout of coughing. She never expected that luciana would spiral into such a state of mental turmoil. Maybe it was the recent adjustment in the way hypnotized luciana that tipped her over.
Katie had always been cautious, especially to avoid drawing Cornell’s attention to luciana’s so-called therapy, directing Mr. Gomez to handle things with the utmost discretion.
Luciana, now somewhat calmer, patted on Katie’s back, asking with concern, “Katie, are you alright?”
With her complexion still washed out, Katie managed a weak nod. “I’m fine, luciana, really.”
Internally, Katie mulled over the situation. While hypnotic effects were shown on luciana, it seemed luciana’s mental state had deteriorated more than anticipated. To avoid arousing suspicion, Katie decided it would be wise to ensure luciana’s stability, suggesting luciana continue her medication at home for a few more days first.
Back in the hospital ward, as Audrey entered Cornell’s ward with a lunch box in hand, she found him engrossed in work on his laptop.
Despite his illness, Cornell hadn’t forsaken his usual attire, opting for a shirt even at bedtime. The dark fabric contrasted against his pallid, yet strikingly handsome features, lending him an air of mysterious allure, reminiscent of a knight under the cloak of night.
Cornell possessed a natural allure that was undeniable. His features served as a stunning testament to his attractiveness, with every motion and pose radiating a sense of exclusivity that seemed beyond reach.
“Aren’t you going to come in?” Cornell lifted his eyes, offering a gentle smile to Audrey who lingered at the door, caught up in her admiration.
Audrey snapped back to reality. Aware that she was caught openly gazing at him, a wave of heat rushed to her cheeks, painting them the shade of a deep sunset.
She mentally chastised herself for such a lapse in poise. She had encountered handsome men before, surrounded by the likes of Erick and Stefan, both undeniably attractive in their own right.
Stepping inside as if she had just noticed him, Audrey announced, “I’ve just got here.”
Cornell’s eyebrows arched slightly. “Why did I sense someone’s gaze burning into me just now…”
Audrey cleared her throat, attempting to deflect. “You’re mistaken.
I’ve only just arrived.”
Cornell let a smile creep onto his face, not teasing Audrey anymore.
“Perhaps I’ve been missing you so much, always hoping for your arrival.”
Audrey felt her cheeks warm even further. What was this about missing her? His words painted a picture as if they were a couple deeply ensconced in romance.
“Stop talking such nonsense,” Audrey protested.
Upon opening the lid, the scent of the porridge filled the air.
Audrey served a bowl and set it before Cornell, yet Cornell didn’t move, adopting a look that clearly meant he was expecting her to feed him.
Audrey shot him a look and remarked, “I noticed your hands were perfectly fine while you were working.”
Cornell, well-versed in their exchanges, responded unabashedly, “My arm’s too sore. After seven hours of work, I can’t even raise it.”
Audrey found herself at a loss for words. Well, might as well feed him. She had fed him before, so it wasn’t a new task for her.
Gently blowing on a spoonful of porridge to cool it, she then held it out to him. Cornell, showing his appreciation, sipped it with refined grace. His dining manners were impeccable, his demeanor calm and collected.
Feeling slightly anxious, Audrey inquired, “Is it to your liking?”
It was her first attempt after all these years, after all. She thought it tasted fine, but was aware that tastes could vary greatly.
Cornell, catching the hopeful look in her eyes, felt a warmth spread through him. After a brief pause, he complimented, “It’s very good, just as it was previously.”
Audrey, pleasantly surprised, prepared another spoonful for him. “Was I always this nurturing? I even made porridge for you.”
“Yes, you were always very caring when you were my assistant,”
Cornell confirmed.
Audrey froze, a sense of disbelief washing over her. She recalled her graduation certificate. She had majored in design but never followed that path professionally. How deeply must she have loved this man to have quietly embraced the role of an assistant behind him?
“Thank you for your tenderness back then,” Cornell said, his voice brimming with sincerity. Back then, he started to acknowledge his feelings for her, touched by her consideration and caring.