Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Upon reaching the Clement Group Building, Audrey dismissed her driver.
The driver sought confirmation. “Miss, are you sure you don’t want me to wait for you?”
“No, I’ll get a ride later,” Audrey confidently responded and walked into the underground passage, carrying the late-night snacks.
After entering the password, she noticed the exclusive elevator’s code remained unchanged.
As the elevator ascended slowly, Audrey felt a surge of nerves, but there was no turning back now. She had to follow through since she had come this far.
The Clement Group Building was deserted, except for the light still shining in the president’s office.
Audrey stood outside the door, pondering how to greet them without seeming awkward or distant. She bolstered her courage, then pushed open the door and exclaimed loudly, “Surprise!”
The room fell silent.
Cornell, seated at his desk, and the two executives beside him Looked at Audrey with puzzled expressions.
Audrey had not anticipated that Cornell was genuinely busy.
The two executives seemed to assume Audrey as Cornell’s romantic interest. They wasted no time in fumbling for an excuse to depart.
After receiving a cool, detached look from Cornell, Audrey nervously lowered her gaze and said, “Please go ahead with your work. I’ll wait inside.”
With that, Audrey took the snacks and made her way into the Lounge.
There was no turning back now. Having come this far, she could not leave without achieving something.
Audrey had not expected Cornell’s meeting to extend so long.
As the meeting dragged on, Audrey grew tired. Initially sitting upright on the sofa, she gradually slumped over and fell asleep. But the sofa was not a comfortable place to sleep.
Half-asleep and half-awake, Audrey barely opened her eyes and noticed a tall figure standing before her.
Suddenly, Audrey felt as if she had been transported back to the past. Instinctively, she reached up and curled her fingers around Cornell’s neck, her voice sleepy yet playful. “Why are you only now arriving? I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”
Cornell seemed taken aback by her gesture, and his hands remained still.
Audrey then rested her head against his chest, comforted by the familiar scent of cedarwood.
But then, his harsh voice broke through her reverie. “Get up.”
Audrey snapped awake. How had she confused reality with a dream? She froze and then remembered her goal was to reconnect with him and revive their past relationship.
And here she was, pretending to be intoxicated. Even though it was an act, she knew she couldn’t squander this moment. With renewed determination, she tightened her grip around Cornell’s neck and said in a playful, tipsy voice, “No, I won’t get up unless…”
She playfully wrapped her legs around his calf, teasing him, “Unless you carry me.”
Cornell’s lips tightened, and he stared at Audrey intently, his eyes turbulent as if stormy seas churned behind them.
Perhaps it was the lingering smell of wine that made Audrey’s head spin slightly. At that moment, her heart raced, feeling as though she were truly inebriated. How else could the man who haunted her dreams and consumed her thoughts day and night stand right before her? How long had it been since she felt his strong chest or embraced him fully?
At that moment, Audrey nearly wept with relief, grateful to have Cornell back. Despite the suffering, she was still thankful because he was here, alive. “Cornell, thank you for coming back.”
Audrey longed to embrace Cornell and weep, telling him how much she missed him.
But Cornell’s tone was sharp and chilling. “Stop acting and get up.”
It was as if a cold splash of water had been thrown on Audrey’s face, her arms stiffening before dropping to her sides.
“This is not a salon, Miss Foster. Please refrain from entering without permission next time,” Cornell admonished.
Cornell’s piercing gaze swept over Audrey, his authoritative presence overwhelming, making Audrey inexplicably tense.
Cornell added, his tone stern and unyielding, “This lounge included, understood?”
After an exhausting day, Audrey was met only with his indifference, and a surge of grievances rose within her. She raised her head, locking eyes with him, and said with restrained emotion, “You previously assured me that I could come and go as I pleased, including this lounge.”
“That was in the past.” Cornell straightened himself and laughed coldly. “Do you really take every word from a man at face value? Miss Foster, are you that naive?”
“Cornell, are you being this harsh just to drive me away?” Audrey held his icy gaze, her expression firm. “I won’t be driven away by you.”
“Just to drive you away?” Cornell disdainfully glanced at her. “Miss Foster, do you really think you’re that important…”
Suddenly, Audrey silenced his cold words by kissing him. Her defiance peaked. He might resist her, but could he resist her touch?
Without hesitation, Audrey wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in, kissing him passionately.
Cornell’s lips were as cold as ever, showing no warmth. Mimicking his earlier actions, Audrey tried to coax his lips apart with her tongue.
When he didn’t relent, she resorted to biting his Lips.
Cornell seemed to only snap back when the taste of blood mingled between them, and he pushed her away forcefully.
A trace of blood on Cornell’s lips seemed to add to his allure and soften his aura.
Audrey faced him boldly, unflinching. “Thirty seconds. You let me ki*s you for thirty seconds without pushing me away. Are you really daring to say that you don’t have any feelings for me? That you despise me?”
For someone truly loathed, even three seconds would be unbearable, let alone thirty seconds.
Cornell compressed his Lips and remained silent.
Audrey clenched her fists, her face set with determination. “I don’t know what difficulties you’ve faced, but it’s unfair to push me away without a word. Why do you assume I depend on your shelter? We’ve faced challenges that most people will never encounter. Our resilience should surpass anyone’s. Don’t make decisions for me. I’m capable of handling anything.”
Ignoring his cold, detached look, Audrey reached out and took his hand firmly. “Cornell, we’ve already faced life-and-death situations together. What challenge can’t we conquer next?”
Cornell’s usually stoic face briefly showed a trace of emotion at her words, but it quickly turned into a mocking and icy look. His intense gaze sharpened. “Miss Foster, you hail from a wealthy family. Can’t you grasp the damage to your reputation after uttering those words?”
These words cut deep. Those who knew Audrey would attest that despite her outwardly lighthearted demeanor, she greatly valued her reputation. She adhered to strict moral codes and was sensitive.
If not for Cornell, Audrey might have stormed out long ago. However, the memory of him boldly driving a car filled with explosives for her sake held her back. Audrey couldn’t bring herself to leave since Cornell had gone great lengths to save her.
Her fists clenched as she stated firmly, “Let me be clear. I came here ready to face your harsh words. You might fool others, but not me.”
“Interesting…” Cornell chuckled, his eyes reflecting a mix of arrogance and detachment. “I simply don’t love you anymore. Why persist in asking for a reason?”
His tone was calm and controlled, as though he could easily see through her. “What kind of falsehood do you want me to concoct? Why not just tell me?”
Audrey’s hand trembled slightly, unnoticed. “Cornell, can’t you just tell me the truth?”
Audrey was trying to convince herself that her persistence had merit.
“I have already given you the truth.” His response was measured, crushing Audrey’s hopes. “But you only accept the words that fit your beliefs. Continue to deceive yourself if you must.”
Cornell picked up his jacket from the edge of the sofa and began to put it on. As he was about to leave, he paused and turned to Look at her. “Besides, self-deception is a sort of illness. I recommend you consult a competent psychologist.”
Audrey’s face turned ashen, her heart felt as though it was being ripped apart, the pain seeping deep into her bones. He was leaving his own office because she was here.
Audrey clenched her fists, unable to suppress her question. “If your feelings are as fleeting as you claim, then why did you risk your life for me by driving that explosives-laden car without a second thought?”
Audrey fixed Cornell with a stern look, emotion trembling in her voice. “Why would you take a knife for me up on that mountain? And jump with me into that chasm during the landslide? Weren’t you ready to die alongside me then?” Her voice broke as he walked away. “If not love, what do you call this? What on earth could it be?”
At that moment, Audrey seemed wild with passion, and she was indifferent to it. If Cornell hadn’t repeatedly been her savior, valuing her well-being above his own, would she have found the strength to look at him now after he had turned her away?
Silence felt heavy in the room.
Cornell broke the stillness at last, his tone weighed down with sorrow. “Once, I was driven to win your admiration, but now…”
Without regard for the color draining from Audrey’s face, Cornell stated coldly, “That’s no longer the case.”
His dismissive words negated all that he had expressed before.
“Pestering only leads to annoyance. It’s best if you just leave me alone.” Cornell didn’t linger for her response and walked out of the lounge. The door closed with a resounding thud.
Audrey curled up on the couch in the vast space of the lounge, feeling forsaken. He had departed with no backward glance, indifferent to her safety as she would have to make her way home alone. A chill settled in her heart as she realized he no longer held any affection for her.
After some time, Audrey descended the stairs. Her entry point had been the underground garage. It stood as her sole pathway out now.
The vehicle that had brought Audrey here had long gone, and she had no choice but to walk toward the garage’s exit by herself.
As darkness enveloped her, the heavens opened, soaking her through.
Audrey stepped out into the torrential rain, unprotected and without an umbrella. She had not thought to arrange for a ride home. As Audrey moved through the rain, it felt like icy blades were piercing her shoes, making her shiver uncontrollably.
Suddenly, a barrage of angry honks broke the quiet.
Audrey tried to dodge out of the way, but her feet betrayed her, causing her to fall forward. Desperate, she thrust out her elbows to cushion the fall, but the ruthless gravel below tore at her skin, sending sharp pains shooting through her.
The driver of the car behind her lowered his window, yelling, “Are you blind? Think this road belongs to you?”
Audrey had been on the crosswalk, yet now the hurried driver seemed intent on blaming her. A deep pain in her belly sapped her will to respond. She held her stomach and sank down into a flower bed beside the road.