Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
“Audrey.” Katie approached with feigned serenity, closing the distance between them. “Cornell and I are back together. It’s about time you showed some self-respect and let go of him.”
“Back together?” Audrey laid bare the truth. “Had you ever truly been together?”
“I…” Words failed Katie amidst her seething. “Isn’t it clear?”
Katie implied that their joint appearances should leave no doubt they were a couple.
Yet, Audrey countered with a chill, “It’s not evident to me. You know, standing next to you, Cornell seems more like he’s performing an act of charity.”
To ensure no misunderstanding, Audrey spelled it out. “As if he’s aiding a pregnant woman across the street.”
“What? What are you implying?” Katie, livid to the point of losing her words, contemplated confronting Cornell. She decided not to squander her breath on Audrey and hissed a warning, “Watch it. Don’t even think about chasing after him!”
Audrey stood firm. “Katie, ever wondered why you’re so uneasy?”
The certainty in Audrey’s gaze gave Katie a moment of unease.
Before Katie could retort, Audrey replied, “It’s because what you’re holding on to isn’t really yours.”
“You! Ridiculous!” Katie seethed, convinced that her offer of the seafood stew had somehow tipped the scales in her favor. Still, Audrey’s presence was enough to make her see red, her irritation escaping in a sharp exhale.
“You’re well aware if I’m spouting nonsense or not! Do you actually believe your misdeeds are hidden?” Audrey’s smile was thin. “Just remember, payback isn’t absent. It’s just not time yet.”
Still shaking with rage as Audrey moved past her with poise, Katie’s temper flared. Her frustration boiling over, she grabbed a nearby potted plant and hoisted it overhead.
But as Katie was poised to hurl it at Audrey, someone seized her wrist firmly.
“Release me!” Accustomed to throwing tantrums at Ardlens with no repercussions, Katie mistook the interference as another person she could intimidate.
She snapped, “Do you have any idea who I am? Trying to stop me..”
Her threat cut off mid-sentence as her gaze fell on the limited edition diamond watch clasping her wrist.
“Cornell… In a fluster, Katie stammered, “I was just… The plant looked off. I was just about to fix it.”
Cornell remained silent, his grip on her wrist unyielding. The pressure from his fingers increased until a soft crack echoed.
“Ah!” Katie’s cry of pain filled the air.
The potted plant tumbled from Katie’s grip, crashing onto her foot with a resounding thud.
Instantly, a sharp pain surged up Katie’s leg, causing her to break into a sweat and nearly scream in torment.
Yet, Cornell’s icy stare silenced Katie mid-cry. She even pressed her lips together to stifle any sounds that might draw unwanted attention.
With his attire a stark black, Cornell loomed above her, his expression impassive and imposing.
Overcome with fear, Katie shivered, her words faltering. “Corn… Cornell… It was an accident…”
Cornell descended the steps with an unhurried grace, his fingers delicately holding her hand aloft. “Katie, you have such soft hands.”
His tone was gentle, but his eyes conveyed a stern warning. He was capable of snapping her wrist without effort.
Teeth clacking in terror, Katie hurriedly said, “Cornell, I was trying to help you.”
With a slight lift of his eyebrows, Cornell kept his silence.
Gathering courage, Katie asserted, “You’re planning to distance yourself from that woman, aren’t you? I could double your efforts, couldn’t I?”
Cornell’s lips twitched into a subtle smile. “Is that stew you sent her part of your strategy to assist me?”
Katie pressed her lips together, her face the picture of distress.
“Yes, Cornell, she’s beyond shameless. I’m the only one who can really help you…”
She was cut off by the soft sound of his laughter. “Katie, you had a choice and you chose. It’s on you.”
Close enough to see her own anxious face mirrored in Cornell’s eyes, Katie took in his increasingly frosty demeanor.
“It appears I might have to pick someone more compliant,” Cornell said.
“No!” Katie’s plea was desperate. “Please, Cornell, I’ll do anything you say. I’ll be completely compliant.”
“Then remember not to provoke her,” Cornell directed, eyes briefly dropping to Katie’s rounded stomach with an unnerving intensity.
“Follow my instructions and the Clement family will ensure the welfare of your unborn child.”
“I understand, Cornell. I promise I won’t do it again.” Katie resolved to stop aggravating Cornell, fearing his further wrath.
Why was Katie so intent on having the Clement family recognize her child? It was because she had bragged about it for so long. She could not stand the thought of humiliating herself. Regardless of the child’s true parentage, if it were accepted into the Clement family, her efforts would not have been wasted.
In Katie’s view, Cornell’s use of her was a partnership from which both benefited.
Why was Katie still unharmed after orchestrating so much? It was because she managed everything meticulously, leaving no traces behind, including the incidents involving instigating Cecilia as well as drugging and harming Luciana. What did it matter if others were suspicious of her? Who had proof that she was responsible?
Even if Luciana regained consciousness now, Katie was sure no evidence could tie her to the event. As long as there was no proof, she remained innocent. No one could bring her to justice.
After Cornell departed, Katie nonchalantly dusted off her hands and resumed her haughty stance. Yet, as she walked, a sharp pain in her toes nearly made her shout in pain.
In the following two days, Audrey had nearly wrapped up her work.
With Cornell’s return, previously challenging situations were now easily handled.
Soon, Audrey caught wind of Luciana’s having woken up. Though Luciana could not yet speak, regaining consciousness was a significant hurdle cleared.
Audrey wished to visit Luciana, but Cornell had forbidden anyone from doing so.
Audrey chose not to make a fuss over this. Cornell must have had his reasons for the restriction.
However, since their encounter at the restaurant, Audrey had heard nothing from Cornell, leading her to believe it was time to act.
Now that Cornell had made it clear he wanted to keep his distance, he was unlikely to reach out first. Audrey, however, did not wish to remain passive. After all, happiness had to be secured through effort.
Audrey was delighted to receive an invitation to a banquet where Cornell was scheduled to attend as well.
Audrey intentionally selected a dress featuring lotus leaf accents, with the high-waisted design concealing her true waistline. In truth, her concerns were not needed as she was only in the early stages of pregnancy, and her belly remained flat and unnoticeable.
En route to the destination, Audrey checked the news several times, having developed a keen interest in entertainment news lately.
Although Katie had been associating with Cornell, the only new detail was that Katie had coerced Luciana into declaring the child she was carrying belonged to the Clement family.
Audrey was convinced that Cornell would not develop feelings for Katie. It seemed unlikely for Cornell to suddenly fall for Katie after a tragedy when there was no love before.
Yet, if Cornell claimed he had fallen for Katie, for whatever reason, Audrey would have to accept it and move on. She was expecting again and would soon be the mother of another two children. She could not afford to be perceived as the other woman, even if it was all pretense.
As the evening lights flickered dimly outside the window, Audrey clenched her fists, resolved to show Cornell that she could not only share beautiful moments with him but also endure hardships by his side.
Upon arriving at the venue, Audrey scanned the room but did not spot Cornell. However, she did recognize several executives from familiar companies.
Audrey held a drink in her hand and each time she toasted, she explained that she could not drink alcohol for health reasons.
Fortunately, these people knew she was a leader, not a salesperson, and they respected her wishes.
As time passed, Audrey’s feet began to ache. She resisted the urge to sit, continually glancing toward the entrance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Cornell arriving. But as the night wore on, Cornell never appeared.
Audrey overheard from conversations that Cornell had sent a representative instead. This representative was a high-ranking executive from the Clement Group, sent by Matteo.
When Audrey spotted Matteo, she called out to him and quickly walked over. She got straight to the point and asked, “Matteo, where is Cornell?”
Caught off guard by her directness, Matteo did not answer immediately.
He simply stated, “He’s at the company.”
“So, he is available?”
Matteo scratched his head. “Not exactly available. There’s a lot to handle at the company.”
“He didn’t come because he knew I would be here, right?” Audrey pressed.
Matteo’s eyes darted for a moment, trying to maintain his professional tone as he replied, “How could that be…”
But Audrey was far from naive. So, Cornell avoided the event because he knew she would be there? He had gone to great lengths just to avoid her?
Audrey’s heart sank, but she contained her discomfort and did not make things difficult for Matteo. “You can go about your business.”
Matteo left quickly, clearly relieved.
Too disheartened to stay at the banquet any longer, Audrey returned to her car. Both her heart and feet were sore, and she felt overwhelmed. The more she thought about it, the more determined she became to confront Cornell today, no matter the consequences. Even if it was overwhelming, she desired the truth.
With that determination, Audrey took action. Before leaving, she instructed her driver to hand her a glass of wine, which she then poured over herself. She also applied some rouge to her cheeks. She crafted the appearance of a disheveled, slightly intoxicated woman.