Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
In the distance, beneath the cover of a camphor tree, stood Cornell, imposing in his neat suit, shielded from the rain by an aide with an umbrella.
Cornell’s eyes turned into narrow beams, ablaze with anger. “I want every detail on that car,” he commanded. “The driver ignored pedestrian rights, crossed on red, and was on the phone while driving. Penalize him for every infraction and fine him heavily. No mercy.”
“Understood, sir.” The new assistant, stepping in for the well-known Matteo, gave a compliant nod. He promptly pulled out his phone, taking notes with serious focus.
The driver had clearly erred in his judgment by being rude to Audrey.
Cornell’s stern look became even more severe. “Check if those modified wheels and taillights are legal. If not, notify the authorities.”
“Yes, sir.”
A cold aura seemed to emanate from Cornell as he continued, “Delve into his life, his work, his connections, and his routine. Find anything out of order.”
The assistant pondered the driver’s grim luck as he added another note to his growing list. It was crucial to obey traffic rules and give way to those on foot. Neglecting these could lead to an arrest for what seems minor, all because one had the bad luck of encountering someone influential. Regret would be a bitter pill once their world was turned upside down.
Then Cornell broke the quiet. “Get someone to bring her an umbrella.”
The assistant’s eyes widened. As Audrey stood drenched in the ceaseless downpour, he thought, “Only when she’s already rain-soaked and cold did you decide to bring her an umbrella? Is this the timing of a true savior?”
The assistant kept these thoughts to himself, knowing better than to challenge his employer. With a swift nod, he left to carry out the task.
Cornell was a statue in the downpour, unmoving. He didn’t refuse to move. It was just that his body was frozen by a long lack of motion.
Willpower was the only thing keeping him from sinking to the ground within the rain.
With a mountain of tasks ahead and the clock ticking, Cornell resolved to offer Audrey what he believed to be the best way forward.
Cornell sincerely wished that Audrey would decide to move on after this ordeal.
When a stranger stopped to hand Audrey an umbrella, a feeling of comfort enveloped her. She wasn’t thinking of harming herself. A good cry had been enough, but there was more at stake now. She was protecting two new lives growing inside her, a daunting task that pressed down on her.
When Audrey called for a ride, she expected the driver, but Erick appeared instead.
Erick had gone to Audrey’s villa looking for her, and when he couldn’t find her, he was about to ring her. But then, he overheard the driver on the phone with Audrey and decided to set off to retrieve her himself.
Seeing Audrey soaked to the bone, Erick felt a pang of pain. He removed his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. “What’s keeping you out here in the rain? And where’s the driver?”
As she nestled into the car, Audrey started to warm up, her voice soft and muffled. “It’s not the driver’s fault. I told him to leave.”
Erick looked at her, sensing something was off. “Did you come to look for him again?”
“I just… I am not reconciled… I simply can’t accept it,” she whispered, her voice breaking into sobs.
Audrey had presumed Cornell would spend the rest of his life with her after his miraculous survival from the explosion, only to be faced with his stark admission that his love had faded. How could she release Cornell, the man who had ensnared her heart, whom she held dearer than anyone else?
“He claims his love has faded, but why can’t that sink in?” Audrey’s trembling voice was heavy with tears. “It doesn’t make sense. How could he just fall out of love with me?”
“Audrey…” Hearing her distress, Erick felt a deep sorrow. Within him stirred a strong urge to confront Cornell immediately, despite Cornell’s mother’s critical condition.
“I’m probably being stubborn, but I have this nagging feeling that he’s looking out for me by being cold to me. He might try to prevent harm from coming my way. It must be hard for him to push everyone away and deal with it all by himself…” Audrey’s tears flew out uncontrollably.
In Erick’s presence, Audrey dropped the facade of being strong. She surrendered to her emotions, crying openly. “I can’t bear the thought of living with regrets…”
“Audrey, I’m with you, no matter what path you take.” Erick, who could never stay indifferent to Audrey’s distress, gave in at once.
Audrey, through tears, barely voiced her concern, “I feel Like he’s hiding something. Just promise you won’t confront him.”
Looking into her eyes, Erick promised firmly, “Unless he hurts you, I’ll keep out of it. But if he crosses that line, I won’t just watch.”
Audrey’s gaze fell, and her words came out hollow. “He’s cut me out of his life.”
“Audrey, let go of the guilt from his past favor. Do you recall the times when you were children…”
Suddenly, a series of beeps interrupted them. Erick turned the ignition, and the car hummed to life as they began to move forward.
Erick noticed Audrey’s spirits hadn’t lifted, so he took a different tack. “I’ve got some news about our mother,” he said.
Hope sparked in Audrey’s eyes. “Really?”
He nodded. “A while back, a part-time housekeeper claimed she saw our mom at a house. I went to the address but found nothing. The previous residents had moved, and their current whereabouts were unknown.”
It was a clue, albeit a small one, after years of uncertainty about Casey’s fate.
The housekeeper had offhandedly referred to Casey as a “sleeping beauty,” a detail Erick chose to keep to himself, wishing not to weigh Audrey down with more worries.
“That’s incredible,” Audrey managed to say, her tear-stained face brightening slightly with the news. Her belief that their mother was out there, somewhere, remained unshaken.
Erick soothed Audrey by running his fingers through her hair. “I’ll find her. Don’t fret.”
They arrived home after a half-hour journey.
Completely spent, Audrey slipped into the solace of a steaming bath and then surrendered to a deep, restorative slumber.
A fresh start awaited with the morning light, and Audrey braced herself to greet it with fresh energy.
With Jarrod now confined within the prison’s walls, Nicole stepped up to lead, taking control of the company’s helm. The energy initiative, once stagnant under Wesson’s watch, now pulsed with new life, transformed yet invigorated.
Clearing Wesson’s name would be a Herculean task unless Jarrod owned up to his actions. Even if the stain were expunged, it would be an uphill climb to restore the Lawrence Group to its former glory.
Nicole had let go of such dreams, recognizing Wesson’s true aim to drive the energy industry toward the common good. By making strides in the energy field, she would, in essence, be honoring her father’s vision.
That evening, as Nicole left the office Late, she was greeted by Roscoe’s presence.
Roscoe was a vision in his khaki coat, capturing the attention of passersby at the entrance of the building.
Nicole recalled the time at the hospital when Roscoe, amid his residency, had caught the fancy of numerous nurses. Yet, he had always kept his distance, unknowingly breaking hearts along the way.
The sunset threw a soft glow over Roscoe, bathing him in a light that softened the edges of the day.
Watching Roscoe, Nicole’s mind danced with thoughts that were almost lyrical in their nature. “He moves with a grace and finesse that echo a masterpiece, each gesture as if refined by the hands of an artist,” she mused.
Approaching with a bright smile, Nicole asked, “What brings you here?”
Roscoe responded with a warm smile, “I’ve come to take you out for dinner.”
“Dinner?” Nicole paused, not one to keep track of festive dates.
Suddenly, she realized the younger colleagues had hinted at special plans for the evening. “Is there some occasion?”
Roscoe offered a gentle reminder. “It’s Valentine’s Day. I was hoping we could enjoy dinner together, rather than be alone.”
A light of comprehension dawned on Nicole. “Ah, now I understand.”
Roscoe looked at her with a hopeful expression. “Are you free to join me tonight?”
“Yes, I can make it,” Nicole responded.
As Nicole walked toward Roscoe’s car, he courteously held the door for her, carefully ensuring she entered without a bump.
Seated inside was a bouquet of white roses, perfectly arranged and waiting.
Nicole gazed at them, visibly touched.
“These are for you,” Roscoe announced, smiling warmly. “It’s a nice tradition I’ve picked up. Adds a touch of celebration, doesn’t it?”
Gratitude warmed Nicole, and her smile was genuine as she inhaled the scent of the roses. It was a surprise that buoyed her mood. Flowers, after all, had a certain charm, and this bouquet was no exception.
Nicole had weathered many storms, but now she stood resilient, ready to embrace joy without a backward glance.
On their drive, Roscoe inquired about her dinner preferences, “What’s your preference for dinner?”
Nicole answered without much thought, “I’m easy to please,” her eyes briefly skimming the news on her phone.
They arrived at a restaurant that was a quiet oasis in the evening bustle. Once settled at their table, the meal was served promptly, each dish a blend of lightness and flavor.
Roscoe broached a different subject. “I’ve been looking into Jarrod’s situation,” he mentioned. “The Hamptons have taken some hard hits lately. With the recent Lowe incident, they’re backed into a corner. We’ve got enough evidence to make a solid case this time.”
Nicole’s ease wouldn’t come until Jarrod’s fate was sealed. After all, Jarrod had a knack for turning the tides in the Schultz family’s favor, skyrocketing them to prominence in no time.
Jarrod’s talent for converting setbacks to wins made Nicole wary of bringing Austin to her side, suspecting Jarrod might still have tricks at hand.
With the court date on the horizon, Nicole’s anxiety mounted day by day. “We can’t lose sight of what’s happening in the Hamptons now,” she said, a gentle nudge in her tone.
Dragging Roscoe into the fray hadn’t been Nicole’s plan, yet his decision to expose the Watts’ and Schultzes’ illicit activities meant he was now deeply involved. Their focus had shifted to safeguarding those close to them.
“I have it covered,” Roscoe reassured her.
Wanting to steer away from somber topics, Nicole aimed to inject a bit of levity. “Hasn’t your father been playing matchmaker for you lately?” she asked with a playful smile.
Roscoe gave a small smile. “He’s tried a few setups, if only to keep off my back.”