Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Cornell remained resolute, showing no inclination to engage further.
Redirecting his attention to Luciana, he stated, “If you have something to say, speak up. There’s no need to exclude Audrey.”
His protective stance toward Audrey was unmistakable in his words.
Left with no alternative, Luciana voiced her concerns, “Cornell, your decision to sever ties with the Glyn family has resulted in their stocks plummeting, practically pushing them toward bankruptcy. Isn’t this excessive? Remember, Katie is carrying your child. Even if nothing else matters to you, think about the child in her belly…”
Cornell’s response was cold and decisive. “Mom, I have shown mercy for the sake of her father. Besides, considering Katie’s collaboration with Alexis for personal gain, my Legal team could have pursued legal action against her.”
Katie’s complexion drained of color as she interjected, “Cornell, you’ve misunderstood. It was Alexis who approached me first, claiming it was your intention. I’ve already explained this to your mom.”
Luciana stood in defense of Katie. “Yeah. Cornell, I can vouch for Katie’s unwavering loyalty to you. Please, think about the child in her belly…”
“The child?” Cornell’s voice dripped with disdain. “I’ve repeated it endlessly. The child Katie purports to carry is not mine. You can’t force me to recognize a child who is irrelevant to me.”
“Cornell, I’m carrying your child. That’s the truth!” Katie’s visage betrayed her anguish. “Regardless of your opinion, I will bring this child into the world. If you refuse to accept it, I will raise it alone!”
Katie’s words held an implicit threat toward Cornell. She anticipated a slew of complications once the child was born. She was convinced that a man of Cornell’s stature couldn’t be ignorant of the repercussions.
Despite the Clement family’s staunch policy against recognizing illegitimate children, Katie reasoned that since she became pregnant when Cornell was still single, their child couldn’t be deemed illegitimate. This child represented her leverage.
Moreover, with her arrangement, even before the child’s birth, Katie assumed Audrey’s demise should already be underway. In this lifetime, the sole woman destined to marry Cornell was her, and no other. For any woman who drew near to Cornell, would mysteriously vanish without a trace, much like the way she had orchestrated Audrey’s “accident” in the past.
Audrey had narrowly escaped last time, but this time… Katie’s gaze fell, a fleeting glint of determination flickering in her eyes before vanishing.
Cornell’s countenance remained impassive as he spoke. “Miss Glyn, if you choose to proceed with the pregnancy, do so. However, this child bears no relation to the Clement family.”
Tears brimmed in Katie’s eyes as she pleaded, “Cornell, are you truly disregarding our shared history? Do the five years we spent together mean nothing to you?”
Katie’s words sounded like an accusation of Cornell being unfaithful.
Cornell frowned, fearing Audrey might get the wrong idea and overthink. He narrowed his eyes, his tone frigid as ice. “What transpired between us during those five years?”
Tears and grievances streamed down Katie’s face as she implored, “Cornell, I’m not Leveraging our past to hold you accountable to me, but you must acknowledge your responsibility for our child. Please, don’t leave me to face this alone…”
Katie’s words danced on the edge of clarity, simultaneously answering his question and yet revealing nothing at all.
Cornell, a conventional man, found himself unable to argue with Katie, despite feeling repulsed by the situation.
Growing impatient, Cornell’s frown deepened. “Katie, are you suggesting that the benefits you received from Alexis weren’t sufficient, or that you haven’t gained enough from the Clement Group?”
Katie’s complexion paled, as though her very skin had been peeled away. “Cornell, are you accusing me of these charges because of this woman?”
Katie bit her lip, tears mingling with her grievance. “Are you going to get rid of our child for her sake?”
Audrey couldn’t help but be amazed at the performance Katie was delivering. If not for the solid foundation of trust between Cornell and her, Katie’s provocation would likely have sparked conflict between them.
“Miss Glyn, please hold back your tears,” Audrey interjected suddenly.
“While you often mention the past five years of companionship, can you provide any concrete evidence or memorable moments? You’ve spent half a decade with Cornell, yet you can’t recall a single significant event?”
Katie froze, her cheeks betraying a flush of embarrassment. Through gritted teeth, she retorted, “No matter what you say, you cannot deny that Cornell loved me!”
Katie’s only aim was to disgust Audrey.
Katie assumed, without Audrey, Cornell would have inevitably fallen for her. It was all Audrey’s doing.
Unfazed, Audrey asked Katie directly, “So, Miss Glyn, was your pregnancy unplanned? Where did it occur? When?”
Katie gazed at Audrey as if confronted by a monstrous enigma, unable to fathom why such questions were being posed. Shouldn’t Audrey be avoiding such probing questions?
Audrey actually didn’t care at all. She knew very well that Katie aimed to incite and disgust her.
In this battle, Audrey was determined not to be outdone. She gently clasped Cornell’s arm, a smile playing on her lips. “If you can’t answer these questions, how can I trust Cornell loved you?”
Katie lapsed into silence.
Audrey persisted, her tone firm, “You see, you’re still unable to provide any answers. You can’t even clarify how this child came to be, or how far along it is now. Simple questions, yet you remain silent.”
Katie seethed with frustration. Yet, no matter how she wracked her brain, all that escaped her lips was, “It’s Cornell’s child.”
Observing Luciana’s distress ease, Cornell felt the urge to depart, truly loathing Katie’s presence. He clasped Audrey’s hand, readying to depart.
In a desperate attempt to halt Cornell’s departure, Luciana sat up urgently, her voice echoing through the room. “Cornell, wait! How can you treat Katie like this? Even though she didn’t respond to the questions, I know she’s three and a half months pregnant. I trust Katie. She’s carrying your child!”
Cornell’s brow furrowed, halting his steps instantly.
Cornell’s gaze lingered on Katie’s belly, filled with profound feelings.
Katie felt her heart race under such intense scrutiny.
“Three and a half months?” Cornell’s expression shifted to its usual detached coolness as he echoed Luciana’s words.
Katie felt a buzzing in her ears, her mind momentarily going blank.
Her resentment toward Luciana intensified at that moment.
Luciana just blurted out Katie’s month of pregnancy despite her promise of against saying so.
While Katie scrambled for an answer, Cornell addressed Luciana, “Mom, grab some rest. I’ll leave Marcelo with you for any assistance you might need.”
Marcelo Clifford was the assistant arranged by Cornell for Luciana’s care. Cornell ought to dedicate more time to Luciana due to the latter’s injury. But since Luciana was adamant about keeping Katie here, Cornell didn’t feel like sticking around.
Moreover, with plenty of servants in the house and extra security Cornell had arranged discreetly, he felt comfortable leaving Marcelo behind to prevent Katie from causing trouble.
Audrey offered a courteous goodbye to Luciana, “Wishing you well and a peaceful rest.”
Luciana merely gave Audrey an indifferent glance and showed no interest in interacting with her.
But Audrey didn’t mind since she had given the respect and courtesy that was expected of her. She didn’t give a thought to whether Luciana Liked her or not. She doubted they could get along.
“Let’s leave,” Cornell said, taking Audrey’s hand with a newfound softness in his voice. His hand emanated warmth as it enveloped hers, his thumb tenderly stroking it, offering comfort.
Audrey’s eyes lit up, and she smiled, signaling that she was okay.
Cornell returned the smile, shedding his icy demeanor to reveal a charming warmth.
Katie watched their interaction, feeling a surge of jealousy in her chest. She balled her hands into fists, overwhelmed with envy.
“Cornell, how can you just walk away? What about your mom?” Katie’s voice trembled, dismayed that not even Luciana’s plight could make Cornell stay.
“Why am I leaving? Surely, you know.” Cornell’s tone was flat and icy.
Katie froze, at a loss for words.
“I don’t want to see you,” Cornell stated coldly.
Katie’s mind went blank. The unwavering coldness in Cornell’s voice added to the humiliation. His indifference to whether his words wounded her was clear.
Tears filled her eyes as Katie protested, “Cornell, I’m carrying your child. Do you really need to be this harsh?”
“You called I was being harsh?” Cornell scoffed, “Let me make it clear to you. Audrey is the only woman who will ever be the mother of my children. No one else will ever hold that title.”
Katie turned ashen, staggering backward to collapse on the bed.
Luciana chimed in, “Enough. Cornell, it’s time for you to leave. Do not upset Katie anymore.”
But Katie still didn’t want Cornell to leave. She had gone through so much just to get Cornell to return to this mansion. She had just announced her pregnancy publicly, betting that Cornell couldn’t counter the press from the Glyn family. She planned for them to spend time together here for a few days, hoping for Cornell to struggle to explain things.
But Katie never imagined he’d return with Audrey. As tears flowed, she was inconsolable. “Cornell, why are you doing this? What do I mean to you? And our baby?”
Cornell looked away and said coldly, “You delayed the press conference because you were already pregnant, correct? You aimed to use the announcement as leverage to bind me to you, didn’t you?”
“No, Cornell, that’s not it. It’s just that I don’t want to announce my pregnancy too early. I was just waiting for the right time,”
Katie argued.
“And if I hadn’t pushed you, would you have held that conference?”
Cornell probed sternly.
Katie didn’t reply.
“If you’re so certain the child is mine, then we’ll do a paternity test tomorrow,” Cornell declared.
“I refuse!” Katie yelled in defiance. “You’re trying to make me abort our baby! You’re lying to me. I won’t do it!”
Tears stained Katie’s cheeks as she asserted, “I’ve already checked. This child belongs to you.”
Cornell looked at Katie skeptically and asked, “Katie, do you really expect me to trust anything you say?”