Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Cornell signed silently. It appeared that Matteo’s time in Tanzania hadn’t instilled the restraint he had hoped for. It seemed further discipline would be necessary.
Since Audrey didn’t admit to being informed by Matteo, Cornell chose not to directly call her out. Instead, he casually remarked, “My leg is fine, not as serious as it seems.”
Upon hearing this, Audrey discerned that Cornell was merely composedly concealing the truth.
Suddenly, a hint of self-loathing engulfed her. It dawned on her that he must have invested considerable time coming to terms with his inability to walk unaided.
For this typically excellent and proud man to come to terms with his disability, the agony and struggle of rebuilding his self-esteem must have been monumental… And he had weathered all of these trials in solitude.
Contemplating how, while she had been avoiding him, pushing him away with her fear of her bringing misfortune on him, he had been enduring his suffering alone, Audrey’s heart felt as though it were being wrenchingly torn by an intangible force.
Suddenly, heedless of all else, Audrey enveloped Cornell in an embrace, her tears drenching his suit. In a hushed tone, she queried, “Cornell, does it hurt?”
Only the two of them understood that this “does it hurt” referred to his emotional anguish, not the physical pain of his injury.
Regarding physical pain, Cornell had endured far worse than this, countless times over.
It was solely the anguish in Cornell’s heart that Audrey had genuinely felt herself, and recognized as so challenging to mend.
Cornell lowered his gaze to her and gently reassured, “No, it doesn’t hurt anymore. That pain subsided long ago.”
However frequently he repeated these words, Audrey’s heart only grew heavier with each utterance. It was as though her heart had been forcibly wrenched apart, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable.
She had long held the belief that Cornell was an indomitable figure worthy of admiration, yet she never entertained the notion that he, too, could succumb to imperfection.
She enveloped him in a tight embrace, summoning a strength she never knew she possessed.
At this moment, she came to a profound realization. Her love for him ran deeper than she ever imagined. All her attempts to distance herself from him crumbled effortlessly. The mere thought of him enduring the scrutiny of others in solitude shattered her heart.
She buried her face into his chest, tears streaming down her cheeks as she yearned to express her feelings to him. She felt like telling him that her love for him endured.
“Cornell…” she choked out.
At that moment, the door was gently pushed open.
Audrey hadn’t closed the door properly upon entering, so it yielded easily to a light knock.
It was the conference hall’s secretary who addressed Cornell, “The meeting is about to commence…”
The scene before the secretary rendered her speechless. Was this truly the aloof, cold-faced man she knew? The downward gaze directed at the woman in his embrace was undeniably affectionate! It appeared that beneath his stoic exterior, he harbored depths of warmth and affection.
The secretary lingered at the doorway, torn between entering or quietly slipping away.
Audrey dared not lift her gaze, her discomfort now palpable. With a shudder, she belatedly realized the awkwardness of the situation.
Cornell’s brow furrowed slightly as his gaze fixed on the figure by the door, the warmth draining from his eyes. “I’ll be there on time.”
The secretary swiftly departed, ensuring the door clicked shut behind her.
Audrey attempted to disentangle herself from Cornell, but he held her waist steadfastly.
With nerves palpable in her voice, Audrey ventured, “Shouldn’t you attend the meeting?”
Cornell said, “I have a spare moment.”
Traces of tears lingered in Audrey’s eyes, her cheeks flushed.
Startled by the abrupt interruption, her words came out hesitantly.
“You should attend the meeting first. We can discuss this later.”
Yet, Cornell refused to release her, his firm grip on her waist unwavering. “Audrey, do you pity me?”
Audrey stood frozen, her soul struck silent as if by a sudden blow.
Was it pity that stirred within her? Could that truly be the case?
In the heavy silence that followed, Cornell’s dark eyes dulled gradually.
“I don’t need your pity,” Cornell asserted. He refused to shackle her by his side with her compassion. Matters of the heart demanded more than fleeting emotions or sympathetic gestures. If her feelings were merely born out of pity, he would rather endure a lifetime of suffering than confine her to such a fate.
Cornell gently steadied Audrey on her feet before firmly instructing, “Go back, please.”
With a press of a switch, the wheelchair began its steady retreat from Audrey.
Audrey remained rooted in place, grappling with her thoughts for an eternity, yet unable to grasp why she couldn’t deny that it was anything but pity.
Although she knew deep down that her feelings weren’t rooted in pity, the words eluded her. Admitting her love for him felt like opening a floodgate of unbearable pain.
Her affection for him felt like a regression to times of self-doubt. Her psychological barriers seemed to have resurfaced, imprisoning her in a familiar sense of confinement.
Audrey sank to the ground, embracing herself as tremors wracked her body, seemingly beyond her control.
Summoning her courage, she dialed the psychologist in Swynborough.
“Mae, I’m so scared. It feels like I’m caught in that same vicious cycle again.”
Upon grasping the full extent of Audrey’s turmoil, the psychologist responded with gentle reassurance, “But do you recall the gestures of love he’s shown you?”
As Mae recounted those tender moments, Audrey’s mind flooded with cherished memories they had shared.
Mae’s voice retained its soothing cadence, enveloping Audrey in a sense of tranquility. As Mae recounted those cherished memories, they seemed to acquire a mystical allure, casting a spell of solace over Audrey’s troubled heart.
Audrey’s heart swelled with the realization of the multitude of sweet and heartwarming moments she and Cornell had shared. Mae was right.
Despite the trials they had faced, how could they discount the depth of their connection over mere misunderstandings?
Mae added, “From what you’ve described, it appears that Mr. Clement hasn’t abandoned hope either. However, he’s concerned about your future happiness and wants assurance that your feelings are genuine. If you’ve come to understand your emotions, express firmly that your love for him is sincere, not rooted in pity, and offer him the reassurance he seeks. Audrey, do you recall what I’ve mentioned previously? Love has the power to heal all wounds. You will both find solace and growth through it.”
Mae’s serene and gentle voice infused Audrey with the strength to persevere.
With newfound determination, Audrey replied, “I understand. Thank you, Mae.”
As Audrey hung up the phone, memories of their shared moments flooded her mind ??the tranquil mornings, the serene sunsets, and the warmth of their embraces. How precious and beautiful they truly were!
In those perilous moments, Cornell’s steadfast presence had consistently served as a protective shield, enduring numerous injuries on her behalf.
The scars engraved upon his body served as a powerful testament to his enduring love. His actions spoke volumes of his love, why did she still harbor hesitation?
Finally, clarity dawned in Audrey’s heart. It wasn’t pity, not in the slightest. She desired to be with him because she loved him!
Those sleepless nights and endless nightmares had been communicating with her all along. She couldn’t endure losing Cornell. The agony of his loss was insufferable. She cherished him, longing for their family to remain united, never to be separated again.
Audrey awaited Cornell in his office, eager to express the sentiments weighing on her heart. But as night descended, he remained absent, failing to return.
Audrey enveloped herself in the chair he had occupied, noticing the dark blanket nearby, likely the one he used to warm his legs.
She enveloped herself in it, enveloped in his distinctive, entrancing fragrance.
Enveloped in this alluring aroma, Audrey drifted into a gentle sleep.
After wrapping up the meeting, Cornell refrained from returning to his office. Nevertheless, he inquired of the secretary, “Is anyone still in my office?”
Having assumed Audrey had left with Cornell and spotted nobody enter his office since then, the secretary responded with a shake of her head, “Your office is vacant.”
Cornell’s countenance visibly dimmed. So, Audrey had departed. Though Audrey’s kindness knew no bounds, he resolved to exploit it for his gratification.
It was often preferable to endure a swift ache than a prolonged torment. The fleeting companionship, swiftly succeeded by departure, would be far more agonizing.
Should he be forceful, it would only lead them both to suffer. May his suffering remain his sole burden.
Audrey awoke in Cornell’s office, her body shivering as she felt the chill in the air.
During the night, Aurora resembled an ice cellar in its coldness.
Without the underfloor heating, even the most youthful and robust individual would be at risk of freezing to death!
The moment she rose, she found herself unable to suppress her incessant sneezing. Her skin was adorned with goosebumps, and her hair bristled with the cold.
The surroundings were enveloped in pitch darkness.
Audrey tightly enveloped herself in the blanket, her hands frantically scouring for the light switch. Upon finally locating it, she pressed it repeatedly, but the lights obstinately refused to illuminate.
She recalled Erick mentioning that Aurora had begun implementing power-saving measures in response to energy concerns.
In locations such as the conference center, where no one remained after hours, security would routinely deactivate the power, resulting in the shutdown of all equipment.
Audrey hastened back to the desk, intent on locating her phone.
However, amidst the enveloping darkness, her efforts to find it proved futile after an extended search.