Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Stopping her from opening the car door with his fine hand, Roscoe couldn’t lift his injured hand to wipe her tears. Instead, he used his sleeve, murmuring softly, “We agreed to face troubles together. Do you not want me anymore?”
After hearing this, Nicole burst into even more tears. “You really are a fool… There’s no one in the world more foolish than you…”
Nicole was overwhelmed. Roscoe could have achieved more, but because of her, he was reduced to such a sad state.
Right then, a driver approached someone from the neighborhood whom Roscoe had arranged in advance.
Once the car was on the move, a partition went up. This partition was specially designed to block any sounds and prevent them from being spotted in the back seat.
Nicole panicked and grabbed Roscoe’s hand. “Roscoe, drop me off. I can’t be seen with you. I’ll only cause you more trouble.”
Nicole was concerned about Roscoe. If Jarrod, who was always out for revenge, discovered that Roscoe and she had fled together, he would certainly unleash a wave of retaliation upon catching them. Roscoe was already beaten to this point and simply couldn’t accept another blow.
Nicole managed to persuade Roscoe, “Roscoe, please go back home. Stop getting mixed up with me. I don’t want to be in your debt anymore.”
“I’m not going back,” Roscoe replied, gently wiping away her tears with his sleeve. “Nicole, my home is wherever you are.”
“No, no!” Nicole protested urgently. “Don’t fret over me. I didn’t run off without a plan. I’ll drop a bombshell on several social media platforms at 2:30 in the morning. After that, Jarrod will be too busy to chase after me.”
Nicole implemented a plan that would destroy herself as well as Jarrod.
“Nicole.” Roscoe gazed at her with unyielding determination in his eyes. “I’ve been steadfast for over a decade. Do you really think you can sway me now?”
Nicole was at a loss for words, knowing Roscoe’s resolve better than anyone.
A spark lit up Roscoe’s eyes as he said softly, “Nicole, I’ve never really had a place to call home. It’s only with you that I find a ‘home’.”
He reached out and tightly held her slender fingers, saying firmly, “Even if you see me as nothing more than a younger brother for the rest of your life, I’m ready to do anything for you.”
Nicole suddenly felt weaker yet somehow braver in facing life. It was difficult to pinpoint what exactly she was feeling at that moment.
Maybe it was a blend of reliance and sympathy, or perhaps her feelings were transforming significantly.
Nicole no longer wanted to dwell on her mixed feelings. Not persuading Roscoe anymore, she quietly placed her hand in his. Roscoe was someone she could always rely on.
The car sped along, entering South Bank Road.
Nicole looked up through the open sunroof at the starry sky, feeling a surreal sensation. “Did we really run out?” she asked.
“Yes, we did,” Roscoe answered.
“How did you know I’d leave tonight?” Nicole inquired.
“After you had the nurse give me that note today, I figured you’d leave tonight,” he explained.
Before Nicole left, she made sure to have a nurse deliver a note to Roscoe, who was in the hospital back then. The note warned him to steer clear of the dangerous Watts family. Roscoe’s father was a ruthless man who wouldn’t think twice about abandoning his own children when things got tough.
Nicole glanced at the time, showing 2:31. She then looked at the LCD screen in front of her and asked, “Can this screen show the news?”
“Yes.”
“Turn it on,” she requested.
As soon as the screen lit up, various news headlines popped up, including financial and entertainment news.
One particularly shocking piece of mews dominated the screen. It showed a high-definition, uncensored video of Jarrod in a club, engaging in intimate actions with a woman that were harsh and aggressive, bordering on torture.
The comments section below the video was in an uproar.
“Wow, do all rich people play Like this?”
“Is that Jarrod, the CEO of Schultz Group? This is getting a bit perverted!”
“Even if the woman agreed to it, his behavior is out of line.”
“The things he said were so harsh, almost poisonous. Despite the unclear face of the person on the other side of the glass, it seems like he was getting beaten, doesn’t it?”
Nicole stared intently at the screen. She revealed, “I had a hidden camera with me that day.”
Nicole had sensed that something might happen amid her meeting with Jarrod, so she came prepared.
This video wouldn’t necessarily lead to criminal charges against Jarrod. After all, both parties had consented. At most, it could demonstrate that Jarrod’s actions were over the top.
However, for the Schultz Group, already reeling from the CEO’s arrest and ongoing investigations, this footage was another severe setback and challenge.
The imminent shareholders’ meeting wouldn’t just overlook this. The loss of significant orders and the retreat of business partners, given the circumstances, was more than the already unstable Schultz Group could handle.
Nicole’s decision to release the video in the wee morning hours was strategic, aimed at cutting off any chance for the Schultz Group to manage the fallout. From here on, Jarrod would face continuous troubles. Chances were that he would face heavy criticism and might even be forced to resign. Regardless, it wouldn’t be easy for him.
Nicole looked at herself in the video, her once vivid eyes now glassy, hollow, and filled with defeat.
After a while, Nicole said to Roscoe, her voice raspy, as though her throat was scorched, “I’m already tainted, but Roscoe, you’re not. You still have a promising future ahead. You don’t need to sink down with me…”
Having gotten involved with Jarrod, Nicole deemed herself unworthy for someone as pure as Roscoe. The release of this video only confirmed her belief.
Suddenly, Roscoe felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if it was being ripped open from the inside. The pain was so intense that it made it hard for him to talk or breathe for a while. “Nicole, you’re perfect to me, like the moon,” he said, his voice breaking as he pulled her into a hug. “This hurts you, doesn’t it?”
At his words, Nicole started crying again. Feeling someone care about her pain felt incredibly good.
The stars lit up their path, and in Nicole’s once barren and cold heart, a tough white rose began to bloom quietly.
This night was the beginning of the most beautiful chapter of Nicole’s life, yet it also marked the last bit of beauty she felt she had.
But right then, Nicole held it dear. She was resolved that both she and Roscoe needed to make the best of their Lives.
After that night, Audrey found no opportunity to see Cornell again for several days.
Despite living in the same city, Audrey suddenly realized they might never meet again in this lifetime if Cornell made a point of avoiding her.
The memory of Cornell’s icy demeanor and his claim of not loving Audrey anymore cut deep.
Yet, each night as Audrey closed her eyes, she could not help but think of the determination in Cornell’s eyes when he decisively pushed her out of the car loaded with explosives. At that time, he chose to save her at the cost of his own life. The affection she once saw in him seemed a stark contrast to the distance and coldness now. Was something behind Cornell’s aloof facade?
In the afternoon, once returned from kindergarten, Janey brought up once again her desire to visit Luciana, who had saved her.
Perhaps it was the familial bond asserting itself, as Janey, since being rescued, had inquired about Luciana several times.
Both logically and emotionally, Audrey felt compelled to take Janey to see Luciana.
However, because of the ban imposed by Cornell, Audrey could only suggest to Janey, “Let’s prepare some food and leave it outside her hospital room. I’ll try to arrange for us to go inside, but if we’re unable to, at least our thoughts will be conveyed.”
Janey, not fully comprehending, nodded. “Okay, I will be good.”
Janey’s compliance filled Audrey with a mixture of emotions, including a twinge of sorrow.
Annis had hinted that Janey wished to see Cornell but being perceptive to the tension between Audrey and Cornell, Janey never brought it up around Audrey.
While preparing nutritional soup, Audrey became distracted and accidentally scalded her hand, resulting in two blisters. She simply wrapped it with gauze and, carrying the soup with Janey, had Victor drive them to the hospital.
Upon arriving at Luciana’s exclusive VIP floor, Audrey was unsurprised to find that Luciana was unavailable.
Audrey appealed to the security staff, mentioning Janey, in the hope that Luciana might be willing to meet Janey. After all, Luciana had risked her life to save Janey. It seemed only natural that Luciana would want to see Janey.
Yet, the response was unchanged.
Janey’s lips pursed into a pout, on the verge of tears.
Audrey swiftly knelt to console Janey, “Janey, sweetheart, she might not be feeling well right now. When she’s feeling better, I’m sure she’ll want to see you. Okay?”
Fortunately, Janey quickly regained composure. She mentioned needing the restroom, and when Audrey offered to go with her, Janey declined and asked for Victor instead.
Victor nodded. “I’ll take her, ma’am. You wait here.”
As they turned a corner out of Audrey’s view, Janey whispered to Victor, “Can you take me to find my daddy?”
Victor was taken aback, “Janey…”
“Isn’t that woman my daddy’s mother?” Janey reasoned like an adult, “If that’s the case, then my daddy will surely come to see her. Victor, could you take me there?”
Victor hesitated, saying, “Janey, your daddy might not be here right now.”
“Victor, I just need to ask my daddy something. Could you help me talk to him, please?” Janey’s lips quivered, tears on the brink of spilling.
Victor, her heart softened, agreed, “I will try to ask him for you.”
With that, Victor escorted Janey to the triage desk.
Back outside Luciana’s ward, Audrey was negotiating with the security staff to bring the soup inside.
The security staff remained steadfast, insisting on not accepting food from outsiders.