Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
The police conducted an autopsy on Katie’s body, which the stepmother had authorized. The results showed that Katie died from massive trauma, excessive bleeding leading to pleural effusion, and asphyxiation.
Essentially, Katie’s demise was a classic case of reaping what she had sowed. Authorities had collected evidence of Katie’s misdeeds.
However, with her death, legal proceedings were no longer pursued.
Katie’s stepmother showed no concern for Katie since she had endured Katie’s abuse within the Glyn family for years. Upon learning of Katie’s actions, she was relieved. She had wisely distanced herself early on, which likely spared her from becoming another of Katie’s victims.
The stepmother refused to even claim Katie’s ashes, instructing a bodyguard to dispose of them indifferently without purchasing a grave, a clear testament to her disdain.
Although Katie’s end was tragic, Audrey felt no pity for her. Katie probably never anticipated such an end. Had Katie foreseen it, she might have chosen a different path.
Regarding the attempt on Audrey’s life, Victor had uncovered some details. The assassin hailed from Aurora.
The mention of Aurora puzzled Audrey. Why would someone from a place she had never visited harbor such a deadly grudge against her?
Despite her curiosity, Audrey knew better than to probe into these matters recklessly.
Erick, however, reassured Audrey that he would handle the investigation.
After spending nearly two weeks in the hospital, there was finally some positive news. Cornell had regained consciousness. However, he was still bedridden and mute, only capable of blinking and unable to express any emotions.
His recovery was further complicated by the residual effects of the poison, a fractured knee joint, and complications from a gunshot wound. Though awake, his condition required careful management.
After careful deliberation, Luis planned to surgically administer the antidote on the third day following Cornell’s awakening.
The decision was driven by the toxin’s severe impairment of Cornell’s healing processes. At this rate, Cornell’s most significant recovery might be limited to merely opening and blinking his eyes.
Cap?tulo 984:
The day before the surgery, Luis visited Audrey.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Luis maintained his usual amiable and charming demeanor, concealing his deep concerns for Cornell’s condition.
Knowing Audrey had been resting, Luis kept the conversation light, as Audrey seemed more withdrawn following the recent ordeals.
Luis’ visit was brief, but before he left, he assured her, “Audrey, I will definitely save Cornell. He’ll be back to his old self soon.”
Audrey responded with a soft, grateful voice, “Thank you, Luis. Thank you for everything you’re doing for him.”
That night, Audrey went to Cornell’s ward. Previously, she had only glimpsed the scene from her wheelchair. This time, observing through the glass window, she could clearly see Cornell lying on the hospital bed.
The days of coma had taken their toll. Cornell appeared noticeably thinner, his cheeks hollowed, giving him a gaunt, skeletal appearance.
His body was connected to numerous tubes and machines, indicating he was still not out of danger, and these life-supporting devices were essential for his survival.
Audrey gazed through the glass, watching Cornell silently for a long time. Despite his weakened state, his features retained a striking handsomeness.
After a while, Audrey finally and firmly made a decision. Knowing Cornell’s surgery would be operated tomorrow, she decided not to be in the hospital with him, afraid she would bring him bad luck just as the insane Katie had yelled repeatedly.
Actually, Audrey had a tough time for the last half month.
Precisely speaking, she had been disheartened the moment the elevator doors of the wedding venue opened and the assassin fired.
Before the elevator doors opened, Audrey could dismiss Katie’s harsh comments, dreaming of a blissful future with Cornell and their children.
She had thought over if Cornell’s condition proved terminal. She envisioned accompanying him till the very end with their children, ensuring that his remaining time was devoid of any regrets.
Sticking together as a family was a bond, and even if one had to go first, having spent days together cheerfully meant they’d meet again in the afterlife.
Despite her sorrow of the prospect of losing Cornell, he had taken the bullet for her from the assassin. Audrey grasped the only thing she could do was to be there for him, offering solace. She believed the hardest times were over and that brighter days awaited.
However, everything changed when the elevator doors opened. Katie’s spiteful comments seemed to be horrifyingly true.
Audrey recalled her previous days with Cornell, where trouble seemingly never left them. Cornell got stabbed, fell off cliffs, and spent days on a ship, diving into the water repeatedly just to find her. Toxins, explosives, and now a gunshot wound… One disaster followed another as if destiny wouldn’t stop until it took his life.
During the past two weeks in the hospital, Audrey even started to wonder if she carried some kind of curse that doomed Cornell to endless suffering.
Hearing repeatedly the grim updates on his critical condition and the ineffective treatments, Audrey felt as though a massive weight pressed on her chest, unyielding.
She felt trapped, with no other option. She dread herself really being a curse to Cornell’s well- being. Leaving seemed like the best choice.
Deep down, she knew she still loved Cornell. Yet, she couldn’t let her love destroy him.
Standing before the glass, Audrey experienced the swift passage of time as she gazed at Cornell. She did not want to say goodbye to him at all.
Yet, her being here seemed not only futile but potentially brought more harm to him. With this thought, her heart felt as though it were being torn apart, the pain so sharp that she struggled to breathe.
“Miss Foster…” Matteo’s surprised voice came.
Audrey quickly turned away, wiping her tears before facing Matteo again and saying, “Matteo.”
Cap?tulo 985:
“You are here…” Matteo faltered, searching for the right words.
Matteo noticed Audrey standing before the glass, consumed by profound sadness. It seemed Audrey was heartbroken.
It was the first time that Matteo had spotted Audrey outside Cornell’s ward these past few days. He was puzzled by her behavior.
Back at the scene, Audrey was so overwhelmed that she had collapsed, spewing blood. Now, she appeared detached, not having visited Cornell even once before until now. He simply couldn’t understand…
Audrey noticed the bewilderment in Matteo’s eyes, but she decided against explaining. She didn’t mind being misunderstood for being indifferent to Cornell. Cornell’s well-being mattered the most.
“Matteo, may I go in to see him?” Ultimately, Audrey wanted to say her farewells in person.
“OF course,” Matteo responded.
Since Cornell was going in for surgery the next day, Audrey had to don a sterile protective suit before entering.
Matteo thoughtfully stepped back, giving Audrey some time with Cornell.
On the hospital bed, Cornell still had various tubes connected to him for medical reasons.
Though separated by the heavy protective suit, Audrey refrained from touching Cornell, wary of disrupting the attached tubes. Yet, merely being near enough to see him brought her peace.
At that moment, as she watched his chest gently rise and fall, Audrey felt connected to his heartbeat and breath. Though she couldn’t physically touch him, she was content. “Cornell, without me by your side, I hope you find health and safety. That’s all I desire.”
As she prepared to leave, Audrey hovered her hand over Cornell’s face, mimicking the motion of tracing his sharp facial features through the air repeatedly.
She had intended not to cry but to send him off with joyful wishes for successful surgery, but tears betrayed her resolve. Large tears streamed down, one after another, like pearls cascading from a broken necklace, continuously flowing.
“Cornell, I’m sorry…” Audrey pressed her hand against the glass, weeping uncontrollably.
“I have to break my promise. We can’t stay together anymore. You must look after yourself. Promise me, in this life, you will remain healthy, safe, and trouble-free, and live a long life.”
Having uttered these blessings through tears, Audrey gently touched her belly and said, “Babies, I believe you want the same as me, for your daddy to be safe and healthy. Say goodbye to your daddy, okay?”
As Audrey spoke, her belly suddenly stirred slightly. She froze, wary of breathing too hard. She wasn’t sure if she had actually felt the babies move.
There was no further movement in her belly, leaving her to wonder if it was all in her mind. Not ready to let go, she tried again and said, “Babies, if you want to say hello to your daddy, could you move again, please?”
Five seconds later, Audrey clearly felt her belly move once more. She hadn’t imagined it. Her belly was genuinely moving! The babies were indeed reacting to her words, saying goodbye to Cornell!
Audrey’s eyes filled with tears as she caressed her stomach, overcome with emotion. “My dear babies, let’s hope for his surgery to go smoothly tomorrow, okay?”
Having stayed longer than allowed, Audrey knew it was time to depart.
She gazed at Cornell one final time, her look filled with depth and emotion. She endeavored to imprint every detail of his face into her memory and hold onto it forever.
“Cornell, goodbye…” Audrey turned around reluctantly and failed to catch Cornell’s sudden movement of opening eyes.
However, given his condition, Cornell was unable to move, his head rigid, not allowing him to turn to watch her leave. Only the familiar scent Audrey wore lingered in the air, quickening his heartbeat.
Cap?tulo 986:
Cornell attempted to locate the source of the scent, but his body failed him, and only his eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings.
Upon leaving Cornell’s ward, Audrey managed to hold back the tears that had welled up in her eyes.
The hallway lights were dim, and Matteo didn’t look directly at Audrey’s face, so he missed the signs of her distress. Yet, an unseen sadness still wrapped around her, impossible to shake off.
Matteo comforted Audrey, “Miss Foster, don’t worry. Tomorrow’s surgery will surely succeed. Mr. Stevens has made all the necessary preparations. We must have faith in him and trust that Cornell will make it through.”
Audrey felt a deep ache but masked her pain with a calm exterior, merely nodding. “Yes, it will be alright. Please look after him.”
Matteo affirmed, “It’s my responsibility.”
But after replying, Matteo felt something was amiss. What did Audrey mean by asking him to look after Cornell in the future? Did she plan to leave for somewhere? He didn’t dare to ask outright. After studying her expression, he found it appeared normal, which he felt somewhat unsettling.
“I’ll be leaving now, Matteo,” Audrey said and quickly departed. She felt if she lingered, her sorrow would overwhelm her.