Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“Wait,” Audrey called after Henley.
In an instant, Cornell’s eyes brewed a dark storm, gripping Audrey’s hand tightly. Apart from anger, his expression was touched with a hint of unease.
Henley was more delighted as he noticed it. It seemed Cornell was still prone to insecurities, ripe for him to stir up further misunderstandings.
“What do you want, Audrey?” Henley leaned over to Audrey, whispering into her ear, “You can fill me in later. I’ll be here waiting..
Cornell’s fingers tightened abruptly, but Audrey patted his hand, reassuring him, “I’ll be right back.”
Cornell didn’t want to release his grip on Audrey but respected her wishes. He fought the tightness in his chest and let go of her hand reluctantly, murmuring, “Alright, I’ll be here.”
“Alright.”
Audrey and Henley didn’t go far, the spot for their talk outside Cornell’s ward.
Cornell could pick up their conversation with the door open.
Having well aware of Cornell’s tendency of being jealous, Audrey deliberately did so for him to hear them.
Henley found this thrilling, his mind racing as to how to further piss Cornell off. Gazing at Audrey with a look of affection, he asked, “Audrey, what was it you wanted to say?”
Next, a sharp sound echoed. Audrey struck Henley firmly across the face.
Henley was taken aback as Audrey enunciated each word clearly, “That was my message!”
Henley was left dumbfounded.
The corridor became eerily quiet.
The confident smile vanished from Henley’s face, replaced by a grim look. “Audrey, is this some kind of jest?”
“Mr. Brooks, you’re the one who began this farce,” Audrey retorted.
This formal address immediately darkened Henley’s expression. Audrey refused to use his first name or recognize him as part of the Clement family.
“What do you mean by our past? I’m clueless.” Audrey crossed her arms.
Henley’s lips curled into a thin smile. “Audrey, do you need me to spell it out? Wouldn’t that make Cornell jealous?”
“Please go ahead.”
“Audrey, we were once quite close, right?”
“Interesting!” A scoff escaped from Audrey. “Mr. Brooks, are you suffering from some delusion? We were never close.”
Audrey felt she had been too naive in the past. Back then, she always assumed the best in people and failed to see through the facades.
Audrey eyed Henley’s crumbling facade and stated icily, “Are you alluding to your orchestrated efforts to befriend me, to drive a wedge between Cornell and me, and your switch to intimidation when your advances were rebuffed? Is that your definition of ‘closeness’?”
“Audrey.” Henley’s gaze was intense, brimming with emotion. “Have you forgotten? Cornell was the one who never trusted you and caused you pain. Back then, I tried to defend you. But, sadly, I was powerless. I had mused it over multiple times that if I was powerful to protect you, perhaps you would have truly cared for me, choosing me over him.”
“Do you honestly believe your words?” Audrey looked at Henley with disdain. “Or did you just consider me a pawn in your game?”
Reflecting on the past, Audrey noted Henley’s repeated timely arrival whenever she had a fight with Cornell. And with his arrival and misleading words, Cornell, a man prone to get jealous, always throw a tantrum. In those days, the naive Audrey refused to clarify things due to her clear conscience and Cornell’s lack of trust in her.
It was clear Henley had been manipulating Audrey from the start, aiming to sow discord between her and Cornell. And now, Henley, the man Audrey once viewed as a confidant sought to manipulate her again.
Audrey’s face was clouded with fury. Without a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Mr. Brooks, let me make it clear. My feelings for you have never surpassed friendship.”
Henley’s handsome face fell in an instant.
Audrey glared at him, her tone becoming even more frigid. “I regret having considered you a friend. From this point forward, we are nothing to each other. And I’d appreciate it if you kept your distance. Should you decide to continue spreading rumors, be prepared to face a lawsuit for slander!”
Audrey had no desire to engage further and turned to leave.
But Henley swiftly caught her wrist, holding it firm. “Cornell had caused you pain, and yet you decide to return to him? Do you value yourself so little?”
Henley’s eyes were bloodshot, like a creature from the depths, gazing at Audrey with intensity. “He only married you to satisfy his grandfather’s wishes, not because he loves you. He’s exploiting you as well. Why is it acceptable for him to do so and not for me?”
Audrey found herself at a loss for words.
Henley had a knack for pinpointing vulnerabilities. He knew just how to strike at Audrey’s insecurities, exploiting them at this critical moment.
Even Cornelll, who had been mustering the strength to stand up and have Audrey back to his side, froze in his steps. He wanted to hear her thoughts.
“Audrey, it’s true I initially approached you with a motive, but I genuinely fell for you as time passed. Do you understand the depth of my despair when you rejected me? I saw you leave with him, and during my nights in solitude, you invaded my dreams. You were the beacon that guided me back to consciousness!” Henley continued.
At that instant, Henley shed his pretenses, speaking with genuine, raw emotion. “Audrey, whatever Cornell can provide, I can match or surpass. Return to me. Let’s erase the past and begin anew, shall we?”
Audrey observed the desperation in Henley’s eyes, perceiving it as madness. She responded firmly, “Henley, can’t you see the truth? I was never with you, so there’s no ‘returning’ to your side. There was no beginning for us, so there’s nothing to begin anew.”
Audrey’s words cut deep.
Henley’s face lost color and then flushed with a mix of shame and frustration. After a brief pause, he mustered the courage to ask, “Why?”
Why indeed? Audrey pondered that perhaps it was Cornell’s unwavering dedication and his willingness to embrace Janey as his own before knowing Janey was actually his own, that resonated with her deeply.
And the times he saved her from peril… Especially when he risked his life to leap with her, that moment was utterly astonishing.
Cornell had done so much for Audrey, quietly and without demanding anything in return. Her heart was responsive to these gestures. After all, when she knew the man she once loved dearly had done so much for her, how could she remain indifferent?
Feelings, indeed, were complex. In relationships, it was not the grand declarations that counted the most. It was sincerity. Sincerity stood out as the most valuable currency in love.
Audrey faced Henley, speaking with conviction. “It’s his genuine care. He’s put himself in harm’s way for me, and I cannot disregard that.”
With those words, Audrey turned and re-entered Cornell’s ward.
Henley’s gaze followed her assertive departure, his hand clenching tighter. Sincerity… That was something he lacked.
Raised amidst adversity, Henley refused to be belittled. So, he veiled himself in a facade, pretending to radiate positivity.
But with time, this facade became so ingrained that it seemed inseparable. Only he knew the decay festering within. How could someone so corroded genuinely interact with others?
Henley gazed at the shut door of the hospital room, envisioning the intimacy within. His clenched fist nearly exploded before abruptly relaxing.
A chilling smile crept over his face. This was merely the opening move in a longer game. The victor was yet to be decided.
In his world, once he achieved his goals, manipulating relationships was just another strategy.
Audrey turned the doorknob and walked in, only to be greeted by Cornell by the door. He stared at her with deep, dark eyes, not even blinking.
Audrey’s cheeks grew warm. She thought that since they had chosen to be together, honesty was key. So, she stayed close enough for him to hear and be reassured.
Yet, despite her determination, being in front of Cornell made her shy about her previous words.
Audrey gazed at his pale, attractive face with a look of worry. “Why are you up? Let me help you get back to bed.” Was it really wise for him to be on his feet with a cane right after waking up?
Audrey extended her hand to assist Cornell, but he quickly grabbed her, pulling her into a firm embrace, making it difficult for her to catch her breath.
“Cornell?” Audrey stiffened, wondering if he was in pain or too weak to stand.
She quickly asked, “Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?” Her concern was evident.
“No,” Cornell said in a low, calming voice, comforting her from above.
His tone was full of excitement yet seemed strained as he earnestly and gently expressed, “Thank you for choosing to return to me…”
Audrey’s heart felt like it was overflowing with warmth, as if she might dissolve completely.
“Cornell, thank you.” Audrey hugged him back, saying, “Thank you for holding on to me.”
Without Cornell, Audrey assumed she might not have survived. His bravery in saving her life was something she deeply appreciated.
Cornell looked down, his eyes reflecting a joyful smile. The effort he had put in was finally showing results. How could he not feel joy?
“You don’t have to thank me. As your husband, I’m here to support you.”
Audrey’s cheeks turned pink again, whispering, “What husband…”
They didn’t have a marriage certificate, so they were more like a couple than spouses.
Cornell gave a playful smile. “We were once married. You can’t get rid of me.”
He knew it wasn’t easy for her to take this step. Therefore, he waited with patience, ready to get the marriage certificate with her when she was prepared to open her heart completely.
Audrey’s ears warmed up, and she nudged him gently. “You should lie down now. You’ve been on your feet too long.”
Cornell’s gaze intensified, and he whispered close to her ear, “It is difficult.” Difficult in a way that came from a deep yearning to be close when his condition resisted…
Before Audrey could reply, he kissed her, a quick touch of their lips before he drew back.