Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Through the phone, Cornell’s voice was reassuring. “Yes, I was concerned about you.”
Audrey felt a rush of warmth from his gestures, leaving her struggling to find the right words.
Cornell, leaning against his car, was pleased to see Audrey on the balcony. He reassured, “Try to rest. I’m here.”
Audrey, touched, responded, “You shouldn’t be here. You need to grab some rest.”
“I can’t sleep either,” Cornell confessed.
“Why?”
Cornell simply replied, “Your worries keep me awake.”
Audrey was at a loss for words. The summer night was muggy. Feeling somewhat sorry for him, she asked, “Would you like to come up?”
Audrey observed the cloudy sky, anticipating a thunderstorm might come soon.
Even though Cornell’s car could be cooled with air conditioning, Audrey wasn’t certain if there were any blankets or similar items available. Moreover, considering his poor health, sleeping in the car might only make him feel worse.
Cornell remained silent.
Audrey then realized what she had just suggested subconsciously, pondering how she had unintentionally begun to worry over him.
Feeling regret for what she said, she wished she could bite her tongue, “Um… Perhaps you should head back. I’m going to sleep.”
She was about to draw the curtains, preferring out of sight and out of mind.
“Are you backing out now? Should I press the doorbell?” Cornell’s voice carried a bit of urgency as if he were on the move.
Audrey, startled, glanced down at his car and found no sight of him.
She spotted him approaching the main entrance. “How did you get Then she exclaimed in surprise.
The villa’s gate had a facial recognition system, allowing only those registered to enter.
“Janey added me,” Cornell revealed.
Audrey was left speechless by the little “traitor.”
Cornell’s voice broke the silence, “I’m here, waiting for you to let me in “Fine.” Audrey regretted her words but couldn’t take them back.
Audrey tiptoed down the carpeted stairs, wearing her fluffy slippers that exposed her toes, heading quietly toward the door. She swung the door open.
Moonlight illuminated Cornell’s handsome face.
Audrey felt her heart flutter upon seeing him. She scolded herself for constantly being captivated by his meticulously sculpted handsome face.
“Please, come in.” She turned her face aside, avoiding his gaze.
As Cornell stepped in, he quietly shut the door.
Audrey’s attire was an apricot silk nightgown trimmed with white lace, complemented by white fluffy open-toe slippers. Her just-washed face gleamed with freshness, its softness and allure impossible to resist.
Cornell observed her with an intensified look, complimenting, “You look beautiful.”
“What was that?” Cornell’s voice was gentle, causing Audrey to strain to catch his words.
Cornell stepped closer, saying again, “The nightgown suits you well.”
Audrey felt uneasy with him so close. She stepped back, saying, “Please, keep your distance…”
Before Audrey could finish, the light in Annis’s room switched on abruptly. Then, the door swung open from inside.
In a rush of panic, Audrey shoved Cornell against the door and then tiptoed to cover his mouth, fearing any noise he might make.
Forgetting their height difference, this move made Audrey unsteady, almost causing her to fall.
Cornell quickly put his arm around Audrey’s waist, pulling her close to steady her.
Audrey found her face against his chest. All she could hear was the strong, steady, and rhythmic heartbeat. “Thud, thud, thud…” Echoed each heart pulse.
Some noises echoed from the kitchen. It was Annis getting water to drink.
Feeling Audrey’s stiffness, Cornell’s comforting pat on her back did little to ease her tension.
Audrey grew even more anxious from the warmth of his touch. Her heart pounded harder, and her breath quickened slightly.
Finally, Annis returned to her room after drinking her water.
Eager to step back, Audrey felt as if her feet were stuck in place, unable to step back.
“Stay still.” Cornell’s deep, resonant voice reached her.
Audrey was taken aback, feeling her hand captured by his.
Audrey tensed up, an innate reaction to pull back, but Cornell traced her hand from the back down to the fingers, gently holding them.
Then, his dry, slender fingers gently parted each of her fingers, clasping them firmly.
This unexpected intertwining of fingers startled Audrey’s heart, setting it racing like a deer.
It took Audrey a moment to regain her voice, lifting her head to say, “You…”
At that instant, Cornell’s face drew nearer, his lips grazing Audrey’s ear’s edge, his throat moving visibly. “Annis is up again,” he whispered.
Once more, the sound of a door echoed through the space.
Annis realized she’d left the kitchen lights on and emerged to switch them off.
Cornell kept his lips close to Audrey’s ear, his warm breath gently brushing against her earlobe, a silent gesture filled with clear intent.
The warmth of his breath swiftly spread Audrey’s cheeks a delicate shade of pink.
Cornell leaned in, lightly brushing his lips against her ear, bringing out a gentle tingling sensation.
Audrey quickly clasped her hand over her mouth, almost crying out.
Did he just bite her?
As Annis closed the door of her room, Audrey’s ear still tingled, her gaze fixed on him, bewildered. “You…”
“What is it?” Cornell appeared completely relaxed, as if he hadn’t meant to do it at all.
Audrey was at a loss for words, standing there dumbfounded. How could she ask if he had indeed bitten her? If not, wouldn’t she risk being mocked for her self-importance?
Audrey pressed her lips together, feeling her heart flutter with uncertainty.
“Never mind,” Audrey finally uttered.
“What’s ‘never mind’ about?” Cornell gazed at her intently.
“It’s nothing…”
Cornell casually remarked, “Your heart’s racing a bit, isn’t it?”
Audrey kept quiet. She tightened her lips, choosing to ignore him, thinking it was entirely his fault.
“Let’s head upstairs,” she suggested with a hint of annoyance.
As Audrey took a step, she immediately sensed something wrong with her foot, experiencing a sudden pain. It felt like she had accidentally twisted it.
Lost in thought, she was abruptly lifted off the ground.
“Ah…” Audrey was taken aback, her hand instinctively covering her mouth as she found herself already embraced by Cornell.
“Did you hurt your ankle?” he asked.
“I think so, but I’m fine to walk, I can manage..
Before she could say another word, he was already lifting her and ascending the stairs.
Cornell, with his long legs and brisk pace, swiftly made his way to the upstairs bedroom.
Gently setting Audrey on the bed, Cornell continued to remove her shoes.
Audrey couldn’t stop him in time. He held her foot and examined it closely.
Audrey froze for a moment. He didn’t seem to mind at all…
“It’s nothing serious,” she reassured. She was familiar with her body’s reactions. The discomfort would likely fade by morning.