Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“I don’t care. As of now, we’re an item.”
Audrey found herself speechless. She then instructed the taxi driver, “Please start driving.”
Those few words left Cornell without a comeback. He realized an explanation now was pointless. Then, he addressed the driver, “Could you and I swap vehicles?”
The taxi driver was puzzled, questioning, “What? Why?”
Cornell handed the car keys he had received from Matteo to the taxi driver. “I need to borrow your car for a bit, and you can take mine.
Is that fine?”
The taxi driver shook his head. “Sorry, I need my car to work.”
Audrey appreciated the taxi driver’s integrity. She apologized, “I’m sorry for the trouble. Please keep the fare going, and I’ll cover the cost.”
With no alternatives left, Cornell’s attention was caught by an ad in the taxi for a night shift driver. He inquired, “Are you looking for someone to work the night shift?”
Pushing Matteo forward slightly, Cornell asked, “How about him for the job?”
Had he not been drinking, Cornell would have considered the job for himself.
The driver chuckled. “I appreciate the humor, young man.”
Cornell doubled down, “Seriously, I’m not kidding.”
Matteo chimed in, “He’s serious.” After all, being an assistant often meant taking on varied roles. Yet, venturing into taxi driving at night was indeed a new challenge.
With a serious tone, Cornell explained to the taxi driver, “That’s my wife over there. I’ve made a mistake, and now she’s locked me out.
If you don’t let him try out this job, I’ll end up without a wife.”
Utilizing his appealing looks, Cornell seemed genuinely earnest.
Cornell urged, “You don’t want to witness us go separate ways, do you? Could you bear to see us split over a misunderstanding?”
Matteo found himself at a loss for words.
The taxi driver frowned, thinking.
Audrey was stunned. Cornell’s capacity for fabrication was unexpectedly impressive.
After consideration, the taxi driver eventually stepped out and passed the taxi to Matteo.
The taxi driver even imparted some wisdom to Cornell. “Remember, a wife should be treasured, not upset. Got that?”
“I understand, sir.” Looking at Audrey, Cornell added, “I’ll make sure to ‘treasure’ her properly.”
Audrey was at a loss for words since things happened so swiftly.
Matteo took the wheel and began to drive away, with the taxi driver’s voice echoing in the distance. “Young man, I don’t know how to operate your fancy car…”
A slight smile appeared on Cornell’s face. His plan had worked.
Audrey was astounded by Cornell’s plan. “You really are a scoundrel.”
“Just a bit, and only for you,” Cornell replied.
Audrey was rendered speechless. She crinkled her nose at the overpowering scent on him. “Leave the car. Your smell is making me nauseous!”
Cornell sniffed his sleeve, recognizing the woman’s strong perfume on his clothes. He immediately removed his jacket, instructed Matteo to pull over at a nearby station platform, and discarded his jacket in a trash bin.
As he began to remove his shirt, Audrey intervened. “What on earth are you doing?”
Cornell appeared puzzled. “You said the smell was bothering you, didn’t you?”
Audrey felt her cheeks grow hot. “Just leave the car. I didn’t mean you should undress!”
The idea of Cornell getting undressed in a taxi was even more unsettling. Particularly in a taxi lacking privacy film. Passersby might misconstrue their situation if they saw Cornell undressing.
Cornell protested, “But I made a promise to the taxi driver to ‘treasure’ you
properly…”
Audrey’s face turned even redder.
Cornell moved closer, offering his arm for her to sniff. “Check this.
No smell here. I didn’t take off my jacket back in the chamber.”
Audrey awkwardly looked away, criticizing, “Have you no dignity?”
“Well, it seems I don’t have such a thing in your presence.” Cornell placed his hand on the back of her seat, subtly enclosing her, his tone deep. “Does this bother you?”
Feeling her ears heat up and frustrated, Audrey replied, “I’m not interested in someone who’s been with others. It’s repulsive.”
Cornell faced her, lifting his hand as though taking an oath. “I assure you, I haven’t been with any other woman. You can ask Matteo.
I never let any other woman beyond you get close to me. My only mistake was sharing the same air with them.”
Matteo, keeping his eyes on the road, confirmed, “Yes, Mr. Clement is disciplined. He didn’t let other women make advances.”
Feeling her face warm up, Audrey pushed Cornell’s hand away, her Lips parting to speak, yet she hesitated, aware of Matteo’s presence. She then turned her gaze outside, watching the world beyond the car window.
Cornell sensed her shyness and chose not to tease her further, maintaining a respectful distance, a mark of his consideration.
When they arrived at their stop, Matteo tactfully exited the vehicle to give them some privacy.
Audrey reached for the door, attempting to leave, but found her movement halted by Cornell’s arm pressing down on the door handle.
“Audrey…” Cornell’s action created a protective gesture as if he was encircling her, his cool breath surrounding her. “I regret letting jealousy get the better part of me. I grasped I should have trusted you more and not let my temper flare just because I see you with another man. I’m committed to making amends, though I’ve struggled to change in the past. My self-control isn’t perfect, but I vow to make a genuine effort to improve…”
His sincere apology and the softness in his voice were new to Audrey, It was a surprise to see the usually confident and somewhat arrogant Cornell display such openness and vulnerability.
Cornell then gently lifted his arm from the door, drawing Audrey into his embrace.
In a soft tone, he added, “Just as you’re uneasy about the woman in the chamber, I face my own insecurities. Henley knew you from school, and Stefan was by your side for the past five years. Those were the days I was absent from your life. That’s why I’m jealous. Do you see where I’m coming from?”
Audrey’s posture tensed up. This vulnerability was a side of Cornell she hadn’t seen before. His displays of jealousy, it seemed, had deeper roots. Despite being wounded by his past actions, her heart softened at his downcast expression.
Cornell, interpreting her silence as ongoing displeasure, promised, “From now on, I’ll consult with you about everything, no more jumping to conclusions. I’ll work on curbing my jealousy, alright?”
He didn’t promise to eliminate his jealousy entirely. He knew that was too much to ask of himself. His sense of possessiveness was just too ingrained.
Audrey, who had been quite upset, felt her anger ebbing away. Her tone mellowed. “I prepared quite a few dishes tonight.”
Cornell’s face lit up with hope. “I apologize. I’ll eat them now.”
“Don’t bother. Everything’s gone cold.”
“That’s fine. I haven’t eaten much today. I had neglected the previous night’s dinner.” His meals had been limited to a cup of coffee and some wine in the evening. His turmoil had left him without an appetite.
Audrey’s concern deepened. “You haven’t eaten at all?”
“Well… I was quite upset…” Cornell replied, sounding slightly aggrieved. “How could I have the appetite to eat without you by my side?”
Audrey was about to correct Cornell but decided it wasn’t worth the fuss. She was tired of picking on every little thing he did. “Let’s get inside, and I’ll make up something else for you.”
When Cornell stepped into the living room, he noticed the table full of dishes, his expression turning grim. It was clear that Audrey had put in some serious preparation for this. Yet, he had disappointed her, which was unforgivable.
Knowing Cornell hadn’t eaten for almost two days, Audrey decided to prepare a comforting dish for him.
After Audrey added the noodles to the pot, she lowered the flame to cook the noodles softer.
The moment the noodles were served, Cornell devoured them swiftly. He even seemed somewhat eager for more.
Audrey said, “No more for now. Give your stomach some time to digest.”
It was late at night, and Audrey didn’t want to summon the maid to do the dishes. She tidied up the table and was about to wash the plates.
Right then, Cornell walked over to the sink and started to do the washing.
His tall stature made the sink look low by comparison, setting up a slightly awkward yet cozy and pleasant vibe.
With everything finished, it seemed like there was nothing else to do.
But Cornell lingered, asking in a gentle tone, “May I check on Janey?”
Audrey agreed and started to remove her apron, accidentally tightening the knot.
Cornell offered to help, his voice deep. “Allow me.”