Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Erick didn’t want Audrey to make decisions without understanding her feelings clearly. He added, “What I mean is, I don’t want you to settle down. Don’t let our opinions sway you. You should know that it’s your life, so what you think is the most important.”
Audrey looked at Erick in awe. She hadn’t expected him to say such profound words. She felt like he had matured. She grasped his speech.
Rather than finding a standard good man to marry, Erick cared more about whether she felt a soul connection with her partner.
Audrey was suddenly enlightened, realizing she had fallen into a misconception before. Indeed, she shouldn’t have measured a man by the idea of finding a great father for her three children. So, she nodded repeatedly. “Erick, I understand what you mean. I’ll think it over carefully.”
Erick desired for Audrey to prioritize her own feelings instead of always placing others over herself. He said gently, “Always remember that whatever decision you make, our dad and I will unconditionally support you. Whether you stay single or get married, we always have your back.”
Audrey’s eyes were slightly teary as she hugged Erick. “Erick, our family will be reunited.”
“Yes. Definitely!” Erick was firm and determined.
The next day, Stefan came to see Audrey early in the morning and invited her for a walk.
Audrey readily agreed.
Stefan had always been considerate. Before Audrey could even bring up the topic, he said first, “Audrey, what I said that day was a bit premature and rushed. I didn’t consider that you were still pregnant and that your emotions were a bit unstable. I know it will change in the future. So, let’s talk about it again later.”
Maybe because he lacked maternal care, Stefan had always been sensitive. He quickly detected even the slightest change in Audrey’s emotions. Like right now, he felt she was wavering a bit.
But he hadn’t had the opportunity to demonstrate himself to her yet. So, he wanted to delay things for as long as possible and strive for more opportunities.
Such behavior might not be honorable. But when it came to matters of emotion, everyone could be selfish.
Stefan felt this was the only despicable thing he had ever done.
Audrey’s weak spot was her inability to refuse those who were kind to her, especially when Stefan phrased his request so effectively.
To Audrey, after Stefan presented his case, any outright rejection from her would appear cold and unappreciative, so she simply nodded silently, implicitly accepting his suggestion.
Being pregnant had left Audrey with little energy for additional worries.
At the park, where ice cream vendors dotted the Landscape, Audrey found herself drawn to one stall in particular.
Noticing her interest, Stefan commented that, despite the persistent cold in Aurora, the appeal of ice cream didn’t wane.
Now deep into her pregnancy, Audrey wasn’t as cautious about her diet as before.
“Would you like some?” Stefan asked, observing her gaze.
Audrey’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. The ice cream here was unique, especially with her beloved vanilla sauce on top.
Aurora grew to love the vanilla sauce, a local favorite Audrey couldn’t get enough of. She had not treated herself to ice cream since she got pregnant, and now, eight months later, her cravings were intense.
Yet, she paused and asked, “Is it okay to have some?”
Her words were cautious, but her eyes earnestly sought Stefan’s approval. Her hopeful look could melt even the sternest demeanor.
Stefan watched her briefly and comforted her, “The doctor mentioned you’re free from dietary limits this month. You can indulge a bit. It’s wiser now than after the baby is born, when you’ll need to refrain.”
Postpartum seclusion could do good to Audrey’s recovery, given her condition.
“I’ll choose a smaller portion with less topping,” Stefan remarked.
This eased Audrey’s sense of guilt considerably.
Stefan led her to a bench, spread a handkerchief to sit on, and smiled. “Wait here. I’ll be back soon.”
The queue at the ice cream stand was lengthy, and Stefan, being a true gentleman, patiently waited his turn without skipping ahead to avoid any mishap with Audrey. He patiently waited his turn.
Meanwhile, Audrey sat enjoying the pleasant weather and the gentle sunlight, keenly awaiting her ice cream with closed eyes.
Suddenly, the atmosphere changed.
Audrey frowned, suspecting clouds might be gathering.
When she opened her eyes, a sharply dressed man stood before her, blocking the sun completely.
Audrey was surprised to encounter Cornell at the park, especially in her disoriented state due to the pregnancy. Stefan, familiar with seeing her frequently, was unfazed by her relaxed attire. Her immediate concern was whether she looked messy to Cornell now.
Especially considering she had dressed up just the other night to look nice for dinner.
Cornell wasn’t thinking about what Audrey was wearing. He was worried she seemed paler than most soon-to-be mothers, who usually look radiant and healthy. Katie had put on a considerable amount of weight during her pregnancy. In contrast, Audrey had become noticeably thinner, her features more defined.
Cornell instinctively felt Audrey hadn’t been well-cared for. Erick was injured and hardly able to take care of her.
“Mr. Clement, you’re blocking my sun.” Audrey finally spoke up.
To Audrey, Cornell’s quiet, steadfast presence was somewhat unsettling, especially as she felt self-conscious about her current condition. She felt hardly presentable compared to his meticulous grooming.
Reflecting on the recent events, Audrey wondered if those had bothered him. To prevent any potential mockery, she bit her lip and apologized, “About the other night… I misunderstood the situation. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” He moved slightly, letting a beam of sunlight warm her face.
Audrey then noticed the black cane in his hand. Despite his still-healing leg, he was here, diligently at work. His involvement in the transnational project made his presence here essential.
Audrey spotted several bodyguards behind Cornell. There were also some guys who looked like officials from Aurora, likely due to this very park being part of the project. She opted to keep quiet. Now that he seemed to have company, she didn’t want to engage with him.
However, Cornell didn’t seem ready to leave and instead started a conversation,. “Are you accustomed to eating here?”
“Yes, it’s fine,” Audrey responded.
Not interested in engaging in conversation, she reminded him, “Mr. Clement, people are waiting for you.”
Cornell didn’t miss her point. He paused and then started, “Eloise is..”
“Mr. Clement, your personal matters don’t concern me. You don’t have to explain,” Audrey interrupted. She couldn’t fully explain her feelings, but she really didn’t want to delve into his personal life. Perhaps she was avoiding it. Already burdened with enough issues, she felt her plate was full.
Seeing Audrey’s unwillingness to listen to him, Cornell felt exasperated but didn’t press further.
It wasn’t until later when Stefan approached with ice cream Audrey’s face brightened.
Cornell was momentarily stunned by Audrey’s beaming face.
Having craved the ice cream for so long, Audrey paid no heed to Cornell’s presence and stood up to receive the ice cream.
Before Stefan could register Cornell’s face, he handed the ice cream over to Audrey.
Suddenly, there was a “crack!”
The ice cream Audrey had just received was knocked out of her hand.
Audrey looked in dismay at the remains of the ice cream, now just half its original amount.
Cornell’s previously composed face now showed anger as he confronted Stefan. “Who said you could give her that?”
Stefan, caught off guard by Cornell’s aggressive questioning, hesitated before replying, “Audrey asked for it.”
Cornell’s voice was frosty. “Pregnant women shouldn’t eat anything too stimulating. Seafood the other night, and ice cream today. Combining them could lead to problems. Weren’t you aware?”
Forty hours had passed since then, and Stefan hadn’t considered this.
He wasn’t a doctor, but the ice cream and seafood got approval from a doctor for occasional enjoyment.
However, understanding Cornell’s concern for Audrey’s health, Stefan conceded graciously. “I overlooked it. I’ll take greater care in the future.”
Cornell’s demeanor became even more severe, his tone icy and strict.
“I expect you to be a hundred times more cautious. Just because the children aren’t yours doesn’t mean you can be negligent!”
Even with Stefan’s generally calm demeanor, such accusations made it hard for him to stay composed. “I never thought it that way,” he responded sharply. You’d better not have thought so,” Cornell retorted, his words laced with a subtle threat.
Audrey was vivid. Who did Cornell think he was? He was already involved with someone else, yet he was meddling in her life. Plus, Stefan wasn’t really her husband. He was only trying to Lend a hand, and now he was getting a scolding.
It felt so unjust. Right now, with Cornell’s bossy tone and piercing stare, it felt especially overwhelming. By comparison, she thought Cornell was completely unreasonable.
While the two men faced off, Audrey had finished the remaining half of the ice cream.
Both men looked over at her, visibly shocked.
With a frosty expression, Audrey declared, “Mr. Clement, I was the one who asked for the ice cream. You’ve been scolding the wrong person.”
The fact that Cornell knew she ate seafood made her feel uneasy.
“Why are you monitoring me? What gives you the right to meddle in my matters? They are my children. Don’t you think I can look after them myself?”
The more Audrey reflected on it, the angrier she felt, especially about the ice cream she had barely tasted. It left her with a sour feeling.
Cornell, taken aback by Audrey’s outburst, stiffened. After a moment of silence, he admitted, “I apologize. I shouldn’t have used that tone.”