Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“No regrets,” Cornell replied with certainty. “Be thankful this child isn’t mine.”
Katie’s eyes went wide. “What do you mean?”
Cornell Looked at her sharply. “If it were, it wouldn’t have survived.”
Katie was shocked. “Cornell, this is your own child. How can you think of harming it? Have you ever thought about your mother, who, at her age, yearns for a grandchild…”
Cornell cut her off impatiently. “Katie, I’m not discussing anything with you. Consider this a final warning. Next time, it won’t be just about pressuring the Glyn family.”
Cornell’s words implied he wouldn’t hesitate to deal with Katie should there be another occasion.
Katie never imagined that even carrying his child wouldn’t sway Cornell in the slightest. How could he be so cold-hearted!
Finally breaking down, Katie demanded, “Cornell, for that woman, you’d do this to me? I love you so much, even willing to bear your child. Could it be.”
She looked up, confused. “Could our child, carrying your blood, really mean less to you than that woman and her child with another man?”
Oblivious to Cornell being Janey’s biological father, Katie found it hard to accept Cornell’s affection for Audrey and Janey.
The reason behind Cornell’s firm refusal for accepting the child in her belly baffled Katie. She hysterically shouted, “You can accept her child with someone else, but why not ours! How could…”
The next second, a string of keys connected with Katie’s face.
Cornell, who disliked violence against women, had no patience for anyone who insulted his daughter.
Katie stood dumbfounded, too shocked to cry. Her mouth burned, Likely split open. Holding her face, she said in disbelief, “Cornell, you hit me…”
Cornell’s expression turned grim. “You have no right to talk about them!”
Katie, with tears cascading down her cheeks, had never experienced such humiliation before. The sting was sharper coming from the man she held dear.
“From this moment, neither you nor your Glyn family will see any respect from me,” Cornell declared, his decision final as he turned to leave.
In a turmoil of emotions, Katie felt an urgent need to say something.
“Cornell, I can be of assistance to you!” Desperation was laced with her voice as she reached for his arm, hoping to sway him.
“Cornell, I’m aware of the struggles within the Clement Group. Henley might dominate the foreign trade routes, but my Glyn family commands a substantial influence there as well. If you just acknowledge our relationship and recognize our child, the Glyn family will back you unconditionally. With your expertise, challenging Henley for supremacy in the foreign trade sector and achieving an equitable share is within reach.” As Katie spoke, her thoughts began to align, her grip on Cornell’s arm loosening as her words flowed more smoothly.
“Have you thought about what turning against the Glyn family might cost you? The Clement Group harbors many who oppose you, and you’re surely aware of the traps being set for you,” she implored, seizing the moment to make her case.
Katie knew Cornell was navigating a storm of both internal discord and external threats, with Alexis pressuring Cornell to resign and Henley, the illegitimate competitor, lurking in the shadows.
For Katie, the timing couldn’t be more critical. Under normal circumstances, the Likelihood of her news making an impact might have been minimal, but now, the scales tipped significantly in her favor.
She believed that Cornell, as a shrewd businessman, could not overlook the implications of their alliance.
The specter of internal conflict within a leading conglomerate could spell its doom, a predicament from which recovery might be impossible.
Cornell’s refusal to enter into a business marriage left the fate of the situation hanging in the balance.
“Cornell… Katie’s voice softened, her appearance slightly amusing due to the mishap with the hit.”
With a touch of affection, she continued, “I can support you. The assistance I offer is significant. Together, we can achieve greater successes than ever before.”
Cornell was silent for a moment and then offered a faint smile.
“Katie, it’s interesting how much you know about the affairs of the Clement Group.”
Katie felt a surge of panic but regained her composure swiftly. “My knowledge is for your protection. I want to support you, Cornell. Please, don’t get me wrong.”
“Katie, you still don’t grasp my values,” Cornell responded, his gaze steady. “If success means sacrificing what I cherish, I’d prefer defeat.”
As Cornell walked away, indifferent to her plea, Katie’s heart sank.
She truly couldn’t comprehend him. Despite the high Likelihood of swaying him, she had failed.
Right then, her phone buzzed.
Answering in a daze, she heard the anxious voice of a director from the Glyn Group. “Miss Glyn, the Clement Group has just announced on their official website the termination of the partnership regarding the Eastern Garden project, and they’ve returned all project funds at a three-to-one ratio.”
The Eastern Garden was the Glyn Group’s pioneering venture into a public stock participation model for housing, a scheme designed to generate profit without initial investment.
Katie had championed this project while serving as the Clement Group’s vice president, branding it as a collaboration between Glyn and Clement.
Given that the Glyn family’s influence in Ardlens paled in comparison to Clement’s, garnering support for such an ambitious project was a feat that demanded substantial clout. With the Clement Group pulling out of the project, even at a significant loss to themselves, it sent shockwaves through the investor community, who saw this as an ominous sign.
The director conveyed the chaos, “Investors are storming our offices, demanding their money back. What’s our move?”
Katie, already at her wit’s end, lashed out in fury. “Use your head! Why are you bombarding me with questions? Just stall them for now!”
The director, voice trembling, responded, “I’ve tried, but they’re escalating matters. They’ve involved the police and reached out to the media, accusing us of engaging in false advertising and fraud…”
This scandal threatened not only the current project but had the potential to tarnish the reputation of all Glyn family ventures. The scale of the potential financial fallout was staggering.
Katie seethed at the thought of Audrey remaining untouched amid their last confrontation while Cornell mercilessly dealt with her. Her eyes flashed with malice. “Give the list of those who are causing the most trouble to Abel.”
The director hastily agreed, knowing all too well Abel’s reputation for handling matters with a firm hand. Those who received his warnings rarely dared to stir further trouble.
After ending the call, Katie slumped to the floor, a gesture of defeat, her hands covering her face.
After a moment of heavy silence, she made another call, her voice icy. “About that partnership you hinted at before, what are your terms?”
Meanwhile, Audrey arrived home from a trip to the shopping mall, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.
Cornell had denied paternity of Katie’s child, while both Katie and Luciana were adamant that he was the father. Katie’s claims alone might not have held much weight, but Luciana’s insistence added a layer of complexity to the situation. Luciana, after all, wouldn’t want to bring shame upon Cornell.
The deeper Audrey delved into these thoughts, the more she found herself tangled in their complexities. She chose to push these musings aside, yet, the sting of feeling deceived by Cornell lingered within her heart.
Upon returning home, Audrey spent some joyful moments with Janey and gently explained that now wasn’t the right time to delve into the matter of Janey’s father’s identity, suggesting another time.
Janey, showing maturity beyond her years yet tinged with disappointment, agreed, “Mommy, I’ll listen to you.”
Audrey’s heart swelled with love as she regarded her daughter. She couldn’t help but suspect there was a sinister intent lurking behind Katie’s outwardly sanctimonious demeanor.
After causing Katie embarrassment earlier, Audrey worried about the potential repercussions, especially if Katie discovered Janey’s paternity. This made her resolve to be even more vigilant regarding anything related to Janey.
That evening, after Janey had settled into bed, a servant relayed that Cornell had come to visit.
Audrey, preferring not to face Cornell, instructed, “Just say I’m asleep.”
Yet, the servant returned shortly to inform her that despite the message, Cornell remained outside.
Nodding, Audrey dismissed the servant. “Let him be. You go rest.”
Alone, Audrey checked her phone to find it flooded with messages from Cornell. Initially attempts to call were followed by numerous texts.
“Audrey, I’m sorry, I made a mistake. I thought I could manage the situation without burdening you…”
“Please believe me that child is not mine, I swear!”
“Let’s sit down and talk this through. Don’t shut me out…”
Reading Cornell’s messages left Audrey at a loss for words. Here was the usually reserved and authoritative tycoon, casting aside his public facade, his messages conveying a vulnerability and earnestness reminiscent of a much younger man.
Audrey, positioned by the window, gently drew the curtains aside to peer downstairs. There, Cornell stood by his car, casting occasional glances at his phone. He seemed reluctant to make a call, possibly fearing she was asleep.
As if sensing her gaze, Cornell lifted his eyes toward the window, though his view was obstructed.
The windows of Audrey’s villa had been previously upgraded to mirrored glass on Cornell’s insistence, ensuring privacy by allowing visibility from inside out but not the reverse.
Despite knowing he couldn’t see her, Audrey felt a connection, as if their eyes met across the distance.
Observing his solitary stance stirred a sense of compassion within Audrey. While she harbored doubts about Katie’s accusations, Luciana’s steadfast assertions cast a long shadow over her trust. Her heart was in turmoil.
After much deliberation, Audrey’s resolve wavered, and she could no longer bear the sight of Cornell alone outside. Wrapping herself in a coat, she stepped out into the cool night air.
Cornell’s expression shifted the moment he saw her. His eyes filled with an intense mixture of hope and fear as he quickly closed the distance between them and pulled her into an embrace.
“Audrey… Believe me. I didn’t do it, I swear…” His voice, usually so steady, now shook with desperation.
Touched yet hesitant, Audrey softly urged, “Cornell, you should head home.”
At her words, Cornell visibly tensed, his eyes brimming with a mix of hurt and disbelief. “Audrey, you still don’t believe me, do you?” he asked, his voice breaking.
Audrey’s own feelings were muddled. “I don’t know..”
In a swift motion, driven by a sudden resolve, Cornell gently but firmly took Audrey’s hand, leading her toward his car.
Audrey, caught off guard, protested, “Cornell, what are you doing?”