Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
The man brushed off her question and walked straight up to Audrey.
He looked deep into her eyes for what seemed like an eternity before he finally said, “Audrey, it’s been a while.”
Audrey gazed back at the man she recognized, feeling as though her past and present were colliding. She whispered a name she hadn’t said in a long time, “Henley… What brings you here?”
Audrey thought he was left in a comatose state. How was he standing here?
Henley, noticing her astonishment, gave her a warm smile. “Audrey, I’ve come back,” he announced.
Audrey was at a loss for words. Surprise was all she felt. Despite Henley’s current gentle appearance, she remembered too well his obsession with possessing her.
Luciana, who loathed the sight of Henley, particularly for his resemblance to Cornell, snapped, “Leave now. You’re not wanted here!”
Audrey was trying to figure out what was going on. Why did Luciana seem to hate Henley so much? When had they first met?
Then it all made sense. As Henley walked toward Luciana, who clenched her hands tighter with each step, her nervousness was evident.
Henley stopped in front of Luciana and called her by a name that surprised everyone. “Mom, why are you saying this? I should come visit since my brother’s sick. It hurts to hear you talk like that.”
Audrey couldn’t believe it! Henley just called Luciana mom?
Luciana snapped back, displeased, “Don’t call me that, you bastard. The Clement family wants nothing to do with you. You’re just a problem caused by Alexis’ cheating. And you think you can be part of our family? Keep dreaming!”
Even with Luciana’s harsh words, Henley seemed amused. He replied calmly, “Mom, maybe you haven’t heard? You’ve been so worried about my brother that you might have missed the news this morning. You can still catch up.”
With that, Henley grabbed the remote and turned on the TV to a financial news channel.
The news anchor announced, “This morning at 8, Alexis Clement, the chairman of the board of Ardlens’ top company, Clement Group, revealed in a press conference that his youngest son, Henley Clement, is now the General Manager of the International Trade Department. The youngest son is…”
“Bang!” Luciana threw a teapot at the TV, breaking the screen in a fit of anger. “How could Alexis make such a choice without asking me first? How dare he!”
As Luciana got more upset, Henley remained calm and even seemed more gentle. He smiled and asked, “Mom, are you kidding? With all the shares you own, my dad doesn’t really need your permission for his decisions.”
Luciana, fuming, tried to slap Henley, but Henley was quick to catch her wrist. A brief look of anger flashed through his eyes as he calmly said, “You’re not going to treat me the same way you did her, are you?”
Henley looked over at Audrey with a look of sympathy for her bruised cheek. His smile faded a bit as he tightened his hold on Luciana’s wrist.
“Let go of my arm, you jerk!” Luciana protested.
Henley, noticing the pain on Luciana’s face, softly reminded her, “Remember, you’re the matriarch of the Clement family. Watch what you do and say. We wouldn’t want any scandals, would we? It wouldn’t be good for Cornell.”
His tone was gentle, yet there was a clear warning in his words.
Luciana, pained and speechless, started sweating, the pressure on her wrist too much for her.
When things seemed to get out of hand, Matteo stepped in, saying, “Sir, please, let her go.”
Henley gave a sarcastic smile. “I’m just talking to my mother. You don’t get the right to say a word.”
As Matteo tried to step in, two bodyguards came in and held him back.
Henley ordered, “Could you please take Matteo out for some tea?” But his tone suggested it wasn’t going to be a pleasant tea break.
Despite Matteo’s competence, the crowded room and worry about hurting Audrey or anyone else restrained him.
When they took Matteo away, Audrey couldn’t just stand by. She shouted, “Henley, let Luciana go!”
Henley’s smile dimmed a bit, showing confusion as he looked at Audrey.
“Audrey, she harmed you. Don’t you hate her?” he asked.
Audrey responded icily, “That’s my issue, not yours. Now, get out of here, please.”
Aware that Henley was the illegitimate child Katie had mentioned, Audrey became more cautious. Henley was not just an ordinary guy.
Audrey’s command seemed to erase Henley’s smile completely, leaving his good looks overshadowed by a cold aura.
Henley let go of Luciana but grabbed Audrey’s chin and pushed her against a wall. “Audrey, you still don’t understand what’s best for you after all this time.”
Audrey struggled to free herself from Henley’s strong hold. “Stop it! Let me go.”
Henley pinned her to the wall, his face twisted as he leaned closer.
“Stop? Audrey, I came back for you. Didn’t you say you’d leave with me?” he said, stunning Audrey.
Henley moved closer, his breath near her ear. “I’ll take you away this time, even if you’re no longer alive,” he whispered.
Audrey looked at him as though he was insane.
As he tried to kiss her, Audrey desperately tried to push him away.
“Let her go!” A deep, authoritative voice made Henley stop in his tracks.
Seizing her chance, Audrey shoved Henley’s chest forcefully.
Caught off guard, Henley staggered backward a few steps. Immediately, his gentle appearance disappeared, giving way to a cold look.
Audrey didn’t pause to observe his reaction. She rushed to Cornell’s bed and took his hand, her voice filled with astonishment. “Cornell, you’re awake!”
Cornell’s forehead was creased with annoyance at Henley’s appearance.
Yet, his expression softened at the sight of Audrey. “Don’t worry. I’m here.”
Cornell held Audrey’s hand tightly, his eyes scanning the room determinedly. “Nobody could bully you.”
His stern look was aimed not just at Henley but at Luciana as well.
Particularly, the noticeable disappointment in Cornell’s eyes made Luciana tremble, worsening the already strained mother-son bond.
Right then, Matteo had managed to break free from Henley’s bodyguards and returned with backup.
With a sign, the bodyguards Matteo brought over proceeded to secure Henley.
The news of Cornell’s injury had been kept under wraps until it somehow leaked, prompting Alexis to seize the opportunity to acknowledge Henley’s identity.
Henley’s unexpected arrival took Matteo by surprise, leading to the turmoil in the hospital room.
Henley’s bodyguards were formidable, clashing with those attempting to capture Henley.
Henley smirked. “Hey, don’t make a fuss. Is this your way of greeting me?”
Cornell’s gaze turned sharply intense. “I merely rest for a bit, and all kinds of troublemakers show up.”
He then instructed Matteo, “Get rid of all the irrelevant people.”
Two bodyguards escorted Luciana out first.
Despite her resistance, Luciana felt overpowered by Cornell’s stern look. She exited without making a scene.
Only Henley remained in Cornell’s ward, stubbornly refusing to Leave.
During a standoff between bodyguards, he chuckled. “Cornell, I was merely chatting with Audrey. Does that make you uneasy?”
Henley deliberately mentioned Audrey. Any past mention of Audrey would typically unsettle Cornell.
As expected, Cornell’s pale face turned frosty, his grip whitening with tension.
Audrey sensed his tightened grip and squeezed back, trying to soothe him.
Henley seemed to take pleasure in Cornell’s reaction, his smile widening as he continued, “Cornell, we’re family now, destined to cross paths often. Keeping things this tense makes it seem Like there’s discord within the Clement family.”
“Family?” Cornell’s tone was cold, filled with contempt. “You’re not worthy.
Having stayed away from such squabbles for a while, Cornell had become more controlled. He wasn’t as quick to anger as he once was.
However, Henley saw an opening and, with a grin, added, “Cornell, if there’s lingering anger toward me, I get it. My past with Audrey might’ve caused you misunderstandings. If only I had known we are half brothers, I would have steered clear of her, but…”
Henley paused, giving Audrey a gentle look, his voice gentle and appealing. “What’s done is done. Please, let’s not dwell on my past with Audrey. I was immature then.”
Henley’s words sounded apologetic to Cornell but seemed more like a veiled admission of prior rumors. He was still trying to provoke Cornell.
Predictably, Cornell’s face fell, his hand’s veins standing out. If not for being bedridden, his fists might have already shattered Henley’s polite facade.
Henley’s smile grew more pronounced at Cornell’s growing anger.
“Alright, I’ll leave you to rest, Cornell.”
Then, turning to Audrey, he said meaningfully, “Audrey, let’s catch up properly another time.”
Henley didn’t miss the chance to provoke further discord as he left.