Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
The following morning, as Audrey reached the gate with Janey, she noticed a sleek black luxury car parked nearby.
Cornell, looking much better than the day before, was standing next to the car, dressed in a sharp suit of black and white.
Janey’s face lit up at the sight of Cornell, and she quickly ran into his arms, asking excitedly, “Daddy Cornell, did you come to take me to school today?”
Cornell bent down, wrapping Janey in a warm hug, and replied with a gentle smile, “Absolutely. Whenever I’m around and not away on business, I’ll be the one to take you to school and bring you home, okay?”
“Really?” Janey’s excitement was evident, her face beaming with joy as she looked back at Audrey. “Mommy, is it okay if Daddy Cornell takes me to school?”
Audrey, not wanting to upset Janey, gave a hesitant nod of approval.
“Woo hoo! Daddy, my mommy said yes!” Janey exclaimed Cornell locked eyes with Audrey and, with a smile, said, “Dad’s also happy.”
While Janey was looking elsewhere, Audrey gave Cornell a look. After everything she had said to him yesterday, he acted as if nothing had happened. Worse, he proposed driving Janey to and from school, well aware that she couldn’t bring herself to decline him in front of Janey. He was clearly doing this on purpose.
The car door swung open, and before Audrey knew it, she was ushered into the backseat by Janey.
Audrey and Cornell flanked Janey. Cornell had decked out the car with everything a child would need, including a car safety seat designed for little ones.
Throughout the ride, Janey and Cornell filled the air with laughter, sharing stories from the past that kept boredom at bay.
After a teacher welcomed Janey into her kindergarten class, Audrey’s facade of amusement faded, and she turned to Cornell with a frosty question. “Cornell, what’s your angle?”
Her cold inquiry made his heart stumble, yet he managed to steady his voice. “Audrey, Janey is also my daughter. I’ve missed too much of her life. I can’t let her grow up without me anymore.”
Audrey sensed an intrusion looming over their lives, her irritation boiling over. “Cornell, can’t you see? We’ve managed without you. We always will.”
Cornell’s complexion went ashen as her words cut deep. Nonetheless, he masked his hurt, his voice strained. “Audrey, you might not need me, but have you thought about Janey? Don’t you think she needs me?”
Cornell’s words struck a chord. Audrey knew Janey was not just innocent but deeply sensitive. Despite overcoming her childhood introversion, Janey’s psychologist had once advised that a father figure could play a crucial role in her emotional development.
Noticing Audrey’s uncertainty, Cornell gently persisted, “Audrey, I won’t fight with you over Janey’s custody. I’m her dad, and I mean her no harm. I just want her to experience the love of a father.”
His plea was soft and earnest. “Please, let me be a part of her life.”
Audrey was torn. Cornell was right. She couldn’t make such a decision for Janey. Cornell was, after all, her biological father. And he had shown nothing but love for Janey, even when he remained oblivious to Janey being his biological daughter. If Cornell’s presence could bring any joy or improvement to Janey’s life, denying him that chance seemed unjust.
Audrey took a moment to consider and then laid out her conditions.
“You can see Janey, but there are going to be rules.”
Cornell’s face lit up with hope. “Whatever you say, I’ll follow.”
“The first rule is you can’t tell anyone Janey is your daughter.”
Audrey’s stance was firm, borne out of a protective instinct. The Clement family had always disliked her, and the news of Janey being Cornell’s biological daughter could either be a boon or a bane.
Cornell consented without hesitation. “Understood.” Until he was in a position to safeguard Janey and Audrey openly, keeping Janey’s paternity under wraps was wise and could prevent any unwanted attention. He harbored the hope of one day being openly recognized as part of their lives.
“The second rule is Janey doesn’t go anywhere with you without my permission.”
Cornell nodded in agreement, accepting her condition.
“The last rule is that I expect not to cross paths with you beyond Janey’s matters.” Audrey needed to make it crystal clear that their interactions would be strictly regarding Janey. This was not an opening for Cornell to weave back into her personal life.
This condition struck Cornell hard, tempting him to protest, yet he recognized his lack of standing to do so. Any objection might jeopardize his fragile connection with Janey and by extension, Audrey.
He much preferred this arrangement over complete separation.
With a heavy heart, he conceded, “Okay.”
Audrey, however, remained skeptical of his ready agreement. She gazed at him, firmly stating, “I trust you’ll stick to your word. If not, our agreement ends here.
Cornell nodded. “I’ll heed your words,” he assured her quickly.
Audrey, caught off-guard by his prompt compliance, chose silence over further discussion and turned to leave.
Cornell, undeterred, offered softly, “Audrey, allow me to drive you to work. It’s along my route.”
“No, thank you.” Her refusal was swift, and with a meaningful look, she added, “And please, stop loitering around my place. lack of sleep not only ages you prematurely but also shortens your lifespan!”
She hadn’t missed the redness in his eyes, a clear sign of his nightly vigils, nor was she unaware of his all-night waits outside her villa, as the driver had informed her.
Audrey’s concern wasn’t for Cornell, though. She wanted to prevent Janey from growing fond of someone who might not always be around due to health issues.
Cornell offered a resigned smile. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. It won’t happen again.”
Once again, Audrey found herself without words. The family driver was already nearby, waiting. She stepped into the car without another look at Cornell.
As Audrey’s car pulled away, Cornell watched her determined departure, feeling a pang of sadness yet a strange sense of satisfaction. This interaction wasn’t a complete loss.
Inside the car, Matteo started the engine and soon shared, “Mr. Clement, your father has been visiting Swynborough more often lately. He’s been meeting with a biologist, according to our findings.”
Cornell, attempting to relax, adjusted his tie and murmured, “Dig deeper. I need to know what he’s up to.”
Alexis, after initially his short period of seizing control of the Clement Group, had fallen into a long silence. He even went so far as to encourage Cornell to start a family with offspring to further the Clement lineage, adopting an unexpectedly fatherly demeanor.
But, of late, Alexis’ actions hinted at a return to clandestine endeavors, stirring unease.
Cornell had always been baffled by his father’s behavior. Despite their familial ties, they often seemed more like adversaries.
After Matteo acknowledged, he took a moment to look at Cornell through the rearview mirror, suggesting, “Mr. Clement, maybe you should take some time to rest?”
The signs of a sleepless night were evident on Cornell’s face, though his features remained strikingly handsome.
After a brief silence, Cornell inquired, “Do I appear much older?”
Matteo, caught off guard, could only utter, “Huh?”
“Have I changed much from before?” Cornell examined his reflection on the car’s lCD screen, which showed no noticeable difference. Yet, Audrey’s remarks had planted seeds of doubt regarding his once-unquestionable allure.
It took a moment for Matteo to grasp the depth of Cornell’s concern.
It seemed Cornell was concerned about his appearance.
Matteo, ever honest, reassured Cornell without flattery, “Mr. Clement, you’re as handsome as ever.”
Cornell, finding some comfort in Matteo’s words, leaned back to rest, directing, “Let’s head to the company.”
Meanwhile, Audrey was engrossed in her work at the studio when Elin rushed in, looking distressed.
“Audrey, you’ve got to see this,” Elin urged, handing over a tablet.
The screen was flooded with trending news about Crescent and Arthen Entertainment, each headline marked with an alarming “Explosive” tag.
“Famous Female Designer Accused of Plagiarism?”
“Arthen Entertainment Embroiled in Scandal?”
“Crescent Faces Plagiarism Charges?”
“Crescent’s Plagiarist?”
Audrey was left utterly dumbfounded.
Audrey was about to check the details when the page suddenly refreshed and was gone.
She tried refreshing the trending topics page again, but the headlines and relevant articles had vanished. It seemed like someone had deliberately removed them.
Elin was just as puzzled and showed Audrey a screenshot of the article, saying, “Good thing I took a screenshot. Take a look.”
Audrey noticed that the accuser was an unknown studio, which had provided a comparative photo to prove their creations from years ago.
They asserted Crescent shamelessly plagiarizing their work, thinking the unknown studio was too minor to retaliate.
Audrey’s interest peaked when she saw the clothes in the comparative photo.
The clothing had an old-time charm, preserved exceptionally well, obviously stitched by hand with great care.
From the embroidery to the patterns, they matched almost perfectly with the vintage collection Audrey had showcased at Arthen Entertainment’s mid-year gala. The only differences were the materials and colors used.
With the comparative photo and the unknown studio’s preserved video, it was clear who plagiarized who.
But then… Audrey thought for a bit and said, “Help me get in touch with this studio.”
“What?” Elin was taken aback, puzzled why Audrey would think of contacting this unknown studio instead of seeking legal action.
Audrey explained, “I want to buy this piece of work. How much are they asking for it?”
Elin, hesitant, asked, “Really? You’re thinking of contacting them?”