Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Audrey forced a smile, though it was strained. “Ms. Craig.”
The woman, the head of the media department, was direct and easy for Audrey to talk to.
Noticing Audrey’s ashen complexion, Ms. Craig expressed her concern, “You’re not moving. Are you feeling unwell?”
Audrey hesitated. Even a stranger could tell she looked unwell.
Surely, Cornell would have noticed. It was hard to believe he hadn’t.
Cornell was usually so observant. He must have noticed how distressed she looked just now. His decision to disregard it must have been because he didn’t want to express his concern.
Ms. Craig offered, “Maybe we should postpone our meeting? Would you like to visit a hospital first?”
Snapping out of her daze, Audrey smiled weakly. “No, I’m okay. Let’s continue.”
“What should we have for lunch?”
“Seafood stew,” Audrey replied.
They arrived at a popular restaurant, which still had a line. It wasn’t yet the busiest time, so the crowd was manageable.
When they reached the front, the waitress asked what they would Like.
Audrey replied, “Seafood stew.” She had been eager to try the seafood stew Katie claimed was delicious.
The waitress apologized, “I’m sorry, but we’ve run out of the seafood stew for today.”
Ms. Craig, always enthusiastic and thoughtful, noticed Audrey’s disappointment and tried to uplift her spirits. She gestured toward a large pot being delivered to another table. “Do you think those two can finish that entire pot on their own? Maybe we could ask them to share? We’ll pay full price.”
Ms. Craig would not have made such a suggestion if the dish had not just been served, untouched.
Audrey looked over and to her surprise, it was Cornell and Katie.
She was stunned that he would dine with Katie.
As their eyes met, Katie glanced back. She didn’t need to say anything. Her presence next to Cornell felt like a declaration of triumph.
Audrey felt her heart sink gradually. Only last night, she was whispering self-encouragements to keep fighting. Yet now, not even a full day later, her grip on hope was slipping.
Audrey stopped Ms. Craig with a shake of her head. “Let’s not bother them. We can come back another time.”
Ms. Craig realized it was somewhat awkward to ask others to share their meal, so she dropped the idea.
They ordered some other dishes instead and began chatting.
Suddenly, a waitress arrived at Audrey’s table with a steaming pot of seafood stew and smiled. “Ladies, this is from the lady over there. Please enjoy. It was portioned out before being served, so it’s perfectly hygienic.”
Ms. Craig, taken aback, said, “Would you thank the lady for us?”
The waitress nodded and moved away.
Unable to see Katie’s face, Ms. Craig turned around and smiled in gratitude.
“People are kind these days, yet we shouldn’t accept food from others so freely,” Ms. Craig said, nudging the stew aside without wanting to seem dismissive.
Audrey gave the stew a try, spooning a taste into her mouth. The flavors burst, usually a sign of exquisite cooking, but all Audrey tasted was a bitterness. It didn’t taste good, not good at all.
Audrey glanced up to see Katie’s beaming face, which only added to her irritation.
Ms. Craig mused, “The Clement Group didn’t need to say much, did they? Their actions are broadcasting their position loud and clear.”
Confused, Audrey queried, “What did you mean?”
Ms. Craig, munching on some lettuce, responded casually, “I did some digging. Turns out, any company linked with the Clement Group is hitting snags. Our private investigations reveal it’s much like the issues ‘Crescent’ had at the start.”
Audrey leaned in and asked softly, “Could you elaborate?”
Ms. Craig replied, “Actually, the postponed delivery of products from Crescent was no biggie for companies like us because our intent wasn’t to make things difficult for Crescent in the first place. We were looking for solutions. Now, it seems the companies that were toughest on Crescent at the start are the ones that are stuck. They’re completely immobilized and unable to do a thing.”
In a hushed tone, Ms. Craig confided, “The word is the Clement Group’s making amends for Crescent. That’s why you’re seeing this shift.”
Audrey felt a jumble of thoughts and abruptly rose. “Excuse me, I need to make a call.”
“Of course,” Ms. Craig acknowledged.
Audrey found a secluded spot upstairs to dial Matteo.
“Miss Foster, what’s going on?” Matteo usually addressed Audrey more causally, but this formal address hinted at another’s influence.
Setting aside her sense of disappointment, Audrey said, “Matteo, I wanted to express my gratitude for the way you handled the repercussions of the recent theft incident in my studio.”
Matteo responded quickly, “Miss Foster, I didn’t do anything. Are you sure there’s not some misunderstanding?”
Audrey pretended to be astonished. “Isn’t it you behind it? My brother mentioned it’s a Clement-led move, which calmed my clients down. If it’s not you, then who else could it be…” She trailed off, implying a name left unsaid.
Matteo’s voice betrayed his anxiety. “It was me, all me. Miss Foster, please, let’s keep this between us. I’d be in deep trouble if Mr. Clement learned of this.”
Matteo was adamant about keeping Cornell’s name clear of the issue, fearing any association. After all, Cornell had instructed so.
Audrey’s pursed her lips and said, “I understand, Matteo. You know me. Your secret’s safe.”
Matteo chuckled nervously and replied, “Thank goodness.”
After ending the call, Audrey felt one thing was unmistakably clear.
The shift in demeanor in her clients had something to do with the Clement Group. Her studio hadn’t entangled itself financially or legally with the Clement Group.
There was no other plausible explanation for the Clement Group’s involvement except if Cornell was behind it. Did he really expect her to believe it was Matteo who had helped her out? As Cornell’s longstanding aide, Matteo could take care of small matters privately, but openly using the Clement Group’s resources for her was not within protocol.
Such an oversight wouldn’t be expected from Matteo, nor was it something Audrey would take at face value. The cause of the incident was nearly clear.
As Audrey collected herself, she turned to find Cornell silently observing her from behind. This unexpected sight made her jump.
Cornell smirked and asked, “Thinking of jumping down from here?”
Audrey turned her head and noticed the balcony railing was under repair. She had been so absorbed in her phone call that she had missed the warning signs and had wandered into a perilous spot. A single misstep could have sent her plummeting from the mall’s sixth floor.
Yet, Cornell dropped that comment and strolled off as if her safety meant nothing to him.
Audrey refused to accept that notion. “Cornell.” She quickened her pace to catch up with him.
When Cornell didn’t stop, Audrey extended her hand to stop him.
Sensing her movement, Cornell dodged just in time, causing Audrey nearly lost her balance. She managed to clutch onto a nearby pillar.
Audrey withdrew her hand and, facing his detached look, forced a small smile. “Did you just show concern for me?”
Pointing at the compromised railing, she asked, “Were you worried I might fall?”
Cornell shot Audrey a derisive look. Before he could part his Lips to speak, Audrey placed her hand over his mouth. “Don’t speak,” she insisted firmly. “I know you still care about me.
With a blank stare, Cornell asked, “Did you wash your hands?”
Audrey almost lost her cool at his words.
Repulsed, Cornell made his way to a sink, cupping water to rinse his face.
Audrey trailed after him, calling out, “I’m not giving up. I’ll be here waiting until you’re ready to talk to me.”
Cornell remained silent.
Audrey’s spirits rose as she made her way out. The confusion lingered, but so did the undeniable sense that their love remained unblemished.
Their history was rich and filled with joy, partings, losses, and reunions, mirroring the full spectrum of life. Countless were the moments when Cornell had put everything on the line for her, even at the risk of his own life.
The depth of their connection, Audrey was convinced, wasn’t something that could be simply switched off. Reacting impulsively to his seemingly indifference and abandoning him would be the real act of unkindness. Thus, her willingness to stand and fight for their love was ironclad.
No matter what lay ahead, Audrey was determined to honor their former love and hold onto a life without regrets; that, to her, was paramount.
Descending the stairs, Audrey unsurprisingly encountered Katie, who had been on the lookout for her.
Katie had not known a moment’s peace since Cornell’s reappearance.
She had watched Audrey get up and leave, and soon after, Cornell had excused himself under the pretense of visiting the restroom. The nagging anxiety tempted her to follow them at once, yet she hesitated to take that step.
Since his return, Cornell had softened toward her, offering promises.
Though it should have been welcome news, a shadow of unease crept in, worried that this perfect illusion would soon fracture.
After a torturous five minutes, Katie’s patience snapped, and she ascended to find them. Witnessing Audrey’s descent ignited her fury to new heights. Surely, this woman must have lured Cornell away!