Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Erick said as he handed her a medical report, taking a deep breath.
“You’re pregnant.”
Audrey was shocked. Pregnant… She scanned the report, which suggested she was expecting twins.
Audrey recognized each word, but they took on a whole new meaning.
She was pregnant! And with twins!
Due to a condition making conception difficult for her, Audrey had always thought expecting again unlikely. Yet, the report suggested she had conceived before Cornell’s disappearance. Back then, Cornell had confessed he had replaced the contraceptives with vitamin C since contraceptives were harmful to her condition. Should she got pregnant despite the odds, they collectively decided to bring it to the world.
But given her condition, she brushed it off and decided to let nature take its course.
And now, the news of expecting twins overwhelmed Audrey. She read the report repeatedly, struggling to grasp the reality and unable to pinpoint her feelings.
Noticing her lack of excitement, Erick asked, “Audrey, what’s on your mind?”
Erick had sensed some tension between Audrey and Cornell. Audrey’s fainting yesterday likely stemmed from pregnancy-related weaknesses and possibly Cornell’s words.
If it weren’t for Cornell’s mother still lying in ICU, Erick would not have held back this long from settling scores with Cornell. As a son himself, Erick understood how Cornell felt and chose to swallow his anger for a bit.
Audrey paused for a few moments, her hands sweating. “Erick, I need some time to think.”
“Okay, whatever you decide, I’m here for you,” Erick reassured her.
Being siblings, Audrey and Erick understood each other well enough without needing to say much.
Audrey couldn’t quite express what she was feeling. It was a mix of sadness and a glimmer of hope. She was pregnant. What would Cornell think if he found out?
But then, Audrey remembered his dismissive words. “We? What relationship do we have?”
“Discussing love after divorce seems absurd.”
“If there was love, wouldn’t we still be together?”
Audrey was left speechless. Her heart felt like it was being pulled harshly, which snapped her out of her daze.
Audrey gripped the fabric of Erick’s shirt and whispered, “Erick, please keep this between us until I’ve made a decision.”
Erick nodded. “Alright, I’ll take care of it.”
With the check-up confirming she was fine, Audrey decided to go home, mainly concerned about Janey.
Once back home, Audrey saw a woman with short hair and square glasses chatting with Janey.
Not recognizing the woman, Audrey asked Annis, “Who is this?”
Annis replied, “She’s the new psychologist. The previous one was on a trip, thus the recommendation of this lady. Mr. Erick Foster has checked her credentials and approved. She’s good to go.”
Janey appeared comfortable, unaffected by the abduction.
After observing the psychologist’s session and finding nothing amiss, Audrey felt reassured. This new psychologist’s methods were more dynamic and suited Janey better.
After their session, the psychologist expressed an interest in meeting Janey’s mother.
Annis then guided the psychologist to the living room.
The psychologist extended her hand to Audrey and introduced herself, “Hello, I’m Miss Carpenter.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Carpenter,” Audrey responded.
Miss Carpenter handed Audrey a handwritten report and said, “Here’s an evaluation I’ve completed for Janey. Please take a look.”
Audrey reviewed it carefully.
Miss Carpenter continued, “From the sessions, you can deduce that Janey is much more resilient than you might think. The main issue is that she feels quite isolated. If you are thinking about having more children, now might be a good time to consider it. Janey would really benefit from having a sibling.”
After Miss Carpenter departed, Audrey went to Janey’s bedroom to check on her. On the bedside table, there lay a drawing Janey had made.
The picture showed Janey, her parents, and a small fluffy figure, all building a snowman together. Below, Janey had written “little brother.”
Audrey felt a rush of emotion, her nose tingling and twitching uncontrollably. It seemed like Janey always picked up on any changes in her first.
Audrey tucked Janey in, left the room, and walked to the balcony.
Gazing at the neon lights of Ardlens from the hillside, the city had a special allure at night.
Audrey reflected on her recent interaction with Cornell. She knew him well. Could he really be as cold as his words implied?
Now, with a calmer mind, Audrey wondered what could drive Cornell, who had prioritized her life over his, to make such a decision and be this cold to her.
After knowing him for years, Audrey understood that Cornell’s decisions were serious and not easily changed.
But Audrey wasn’t prepared to quit yet, and she wasn’t going to do it without a fight.
She caressed her relatively flat belly, which carried the future of two more lives. For Janey and the unborn twins, she knew she couldn’t just give up.
Audrey resolved to seek Cornell out for another talk.
Audrey visited the hospital twice to see Luciana, but was stopped each time. Only Cornell was permitted to enter Luciana’s ward.
Feeling concerned, Audrey asked Erick to inquire about Luciana’s condition, which he reported as comatose, stable, but critical, with a still possible recovery.
Over the following days, Audrey worked hard to clean up the mess in her studio caused by Alexis.
For some reason, possibly due to the rumors of Cornell’s return, the clients, who had been difficult before, suddenly became cooperative.
Some even dropped their demands for triple compensation, agreeing to keep waiting without further conditions. Those who had already received triple compensation even returned the money.
Confused about the situation, Audrey opted to meet with a client she vaguely knew to get some clarity. They decided to grab lunch together at a restaurant in the shopping mall.
Audrey was close by and arrived early. As she ascended the stairs, she passed a maternity store, and the beautiful little clothes in the window caught her eye.
Before she could look closer, two figures emerged from the store.
Cornell was smartly dressed in a tailored suit, looking distinguished with a tall, upright posture. The woman beside him wore sunglasses, was noticeably pregnant, and carried two light shopping bags from the maternity store.
Clinging to Cornell, Katie had a beaming smile that exuded a radiant maternal glow.
Audrey blinked as she watched them approaching her, feeling like she was in a surreal moment. It felt like her feet were stuck to the floor and she couldn’t move.
At the sight of Audrey, Katie hesitated, then removed her sunglasses and said, “Cornell, it’s Audrey.”
Katie resumed her usual facade of gracious casualness, offering Audrey a friendly smile.
However, to Audrey, that smile appeared boastful and arrogant. A kind of show-off that only the two of them would understand.
Katie casually said, “What a coincidence. Are you out shopping as well?”
It took Audrey a moment to gather her voice. “Quite the coincidence.”
While talking, Audrey couldn’t take her eyes off Cornell’s sharply defined features. She searched for any sign of the man she knew but was shocked to find him colder and more distant than ever.
Noticing Audrey’s unbroken stare at Cornell, Katie seemed slightly irritated and was about to speak up, but Cornell interrupted her.
“Let’s go,” Cornell said.
Katie quickly smoothed her expression and followed Cornell obediently, arm in arm.
Cornell began to walk out, but Audrey remained still, not stepping aside to let them pass. She wanted to ask why. Even if there were issues between them, it shouldn’t have allowed Katie to intervene.
Why was Katie, really? Katie was the one who wanted her life but ended up accidentally hurting him.
Though there wasn’t direct proof, it was clear Cecilia’s actions were instigated by Katie. And the kidnapping of Janey, Luciana’s injury.
Weren’t they Katie’s doing?
Even Audrey could connect the dots and deduce it. Wouldn’t Cornell, a man of his intelligence, also figure it out? Or was he aware and simply letting it happen?
Cornell noticed Audrey wasn’t budging even after a while, so he just bypassed her. His distant behavior made it seem Like something contagious was in the air around where Audrey was standing. He seemed eager to widen the distance between him and Audrey.
Cornell and Katie gradually walked away. Yet, Audrey could still hear Katie’s voice. “Cornell, they say the seafood stew here is amazing. I really want to give it a try…”
Audrey’s mind was in turmoil, her thoughts a chaotic whirl.
Repeatedly, she reminded herself that Cornell had his reasons, and she shouldn’t overthink it before the fight had even started.
“Miss Foster,” a woman called out, pulling Audrey back to the present.
It was the client Audrey was meant to meet, who had just happened to run into her right here.