Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Audrey had opened up to Erick on the day she chose to mend fences with Cornell, to which Erick had fiercely responded, “If he ever hurts you, I’ll make sure he regrets it.”
“Okay, okay, I see you’ve softened toward him,” Erick said, feigning a wounded heart. “Oh, how my heart suffers.”
“Enough, Erick. Are you going to be able to support him or not?”
Audrey pressed, eager to cut through his theatrics.
Erick’s expression turned thoughtful. “I’m willing to lend a hand.”
He had already mulled over Cornell’s predicament and found it suspicious. Cornell’s stature in the business realm was well-known.
Was it plausible for him to be undermined by a few past associates and newcomers? That concern lay outside Erick’s immediate purview.
Nonetheless, wishing to alleviate Audrey’s worries, Erick offered, “I’ll have a talk with him to understand the situation better.”
Curiosity also played a part in his decision. Erick was keen on observing Cornell’s countermeasures, possibly gleaning insights for his own knowledge.
“Thank you, Erick,” Audrey responded, her smile lighting up the screen between them.
Erick, charmed by her expression, remarked, “You always look your best when you’re smiling.”
With the conversation concluded, Audrey turned her attention back to the kitchen, busying herself with the dishes.
Unnoticed by her, Cornell had been quietly observing for a while. The warm glow of the kitchen light, Audrey’s graceful figure moving about, and the inviting aroma of the porridge painted a serene picture. It was a welcome respite from the day’s treacheries, so much so that Cornell hesitated to disturb the calm, cherishing the silent, peaceful moment.
The day had unraveled with Alexis revealing his true nature, after years of scheming against Cornell.
In a charged confrontation at the office this afternoon, where false paternal affections were brandished, Cornell mockingly said to Alexis, “You can drop the act now.”
Alexis, smug in his supposed ascendancy, didn’t bother to mask his scorn, declaring, “My biggest regret is having you.”
Each word from Alexis pierced Cornell deeply.
Despite his stoic exterior, Cornell had once harbored hopes for familial warmth and unity. Yet, the aspiration had been shattered time and again, culminating in the day’s revelations.
Even his mother, for whom Cornell had always stood up, sided against him when it mattered most.
The longing for parental love, once a beacon of hope, had been utterly extinguished, leaving Cornell to confront the reality that his expectations were perhaps too lofty.
“Ah!” Suddenly, Audrey’s cry of pain snapped Cornell out of his reverie, prompting him to approach her quickly.
“What happened? Are you okay?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.
Audrey jumped, not expecting to see Cornell awake. “Oh, you’re awake?”
Audrey had accidentally burned herself a little when the clay pot boiled over as she was adjusting it.
Noticing her burned fingers, Cornell quickly turned off the stove and led her to the sink to cool the burn with running water.
Then, he easily found some ointment for burns and began applying it to her hand.
Audrey tried to wave him off. “It’s fine. A bit of ice is all I need.”
Cornell fetched some ice, carefully pressing it against her fingers, offering relief from the burn. “Silly girl, why are you cooking at this hour?” he teased.
“I thought you’d like something warm to eat when you woke up,”
Audrey explained.
Cornell froze, his features softening as he looked at Audrey with bubbling affection. When Audrey was hurt, she was truly heartbroken, but when she loved, she held nothing back.
The warmth in Cornell’s gaze grew. The simple dreams he once had seemed to come alive at that moment.
He moved closer, his voice low and warm. “But right now, I’d rather ‘devour’ you first.”
Before Audrey could fully grasp his words, she felt his lips on hers once more.
Cold… That was the ice cube! Cornell popped an ice cube into his mouth before kissing her.
The cold touch against Audrey’s tongue sparked a wave of sensations, making her body surrender to the intense feeling.
Cornell held her head gently with one hand while the other slowly ventured under her clothes.
Overflowing with warmth and tenderness, Cornell longed to fuse Audrey into himself, out of reach from anyone else’s touch.
Audrey let out a soft, kitten-like moan.
Cornell’s eyes grew intense as he softly bit her tongue, blending warmth and chill. This slight pain spread a unique sweetness.
Audrey looped her arms around his neck, her dazed reaction even more captivating.
Cornell swallowed hard, feeling the heat build between them as they dived into a sea of passion together.
Later, Audrey lay with her cheeks against Cornell’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat and deep breaths.
She had changed into a long nightgown, her beautiful bare feet visible.
Audrey had intended to be there for Cornell today, but it turned out he was the one taking care of her. From bathing her to changing her clothes, she felt pampered like a princess, her feet never touching the ground.
Eventually, Cornell stood up to prepare some food. After setting it down, he lifted Audrey onto his lap, feeding her the warm food spoon by spoon.
Audrey felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. “I can handle it myself. Just go ahead and eat yourself.”
Yet, Cornell persisted, gently feeding Audrey with patience.
After obediently finishing the food, Audrey felt too exhausted to even move.
Cornell chuckled, setting her down before he ate the food himself.
After cleaning up the table, they went to brush their teeth together.
Back in the bedroom, Cornell carried Audrey into bed. “Do you want me to stay here with you?” he inquired.
Audrey’s cheeks flushed deeper, convinced she wouldn’t be able to fall asleep with him so close. “I don’t think I can handle more,” she confessed shyly, which only made Cornell chuckle as he settled beside her. “You just need a bit more exercise. You’re not strong enough yet.”
Audrey retorted, “Hey, that’s not on me. You’re just too much to keep up with.”
She then gave him a curious look. “Cornell, how did you get so good at all that?” Using ice… He was just way too skilled!
Cornell rolled onto his side, resting his head on his hand as he gazed at her. “Guys usually pick up these skills on their own.”
Audrey was skeptical. “You’re just making that up.”
Cornell took her hand, softly tracing her pulse with his fingers, his voice low and seductive. “”Overthinking only leads to…”
Wearing simple cotton pajamas, Cornell’s understated design somehow made him look both elegant and irresistibly tempting.
His voice, with a power to make one shiver slightly, carefully articulated certain feelings.
Audrey couldn’t stand it any longer and kicked him. “Cornell, cut it out!”
Cornell caught her kicking foot between his legs, kissing her wrist softly. “This is all for you. If you enjoy it, then that’s all that counts.”
Audrey tried to act uninterested. “Enjoy it? Who would…”
Cornell laughed lightly. “Who was it then, begging her brother today on my behalf?”
Audrey blushed deeply. “You heard that?”
Cornell quirked an eyebrow. “Yes, I heard Miss Foster calling for backup, saving her husband.”
Audrey’s ears burned. “I never said ‘saving my husband.”
“Then what was it?” Cornell teased, winking. “Saving Miss Foster’s lover?”
“What lover? Enough with the nonsense!” Audrey gave Cornell a sharp look, clearly irritated.
Cornell pressed his lips together and said, “Really, who would choose to be a ‘lover’ unless they had to?”
Cornell looked at Audrey earnestly. “So, Miss Foster, when are you planning to make our relationship official?”
Audrey was at a loss for words. Observing him, he didn’t seem Like someone upset about losing his position. She couldn’t resist asking, “Are you actually in trouble this time?”
“I’m here seeking your help. What does that tell you?”
Audrey pressed on, “So, you’re saying your CEO title is in jeopardy?”
Cornell’s Lashes drooped slightly, a touch of melancholy in his voice.
“It’s possible.”