Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Unconvinced, Audrey pointed sternly at the door, her expression icy.
“Are you going to leave or not?”
Since Henley had seen her reaching for the phone, she saw no point in concealing her actions. She picked up her phone and dialed the emergency number.
Before the call could connect, Henley rushed over, snatched the phone from her hand, and disconnected the call.
“Ah! Help!” Audrey screamed, dropped her phone, and took several steps back to create distance between herself and this menacing figure.
Since Henley had entered so boldly and remained undisturbed for so long, it meant he had likely neutralized the security at the door.
Audrey realized that a direct confrontation was not the smartest approach at this moment. Lacking the physical strength to overpower a man, her wits were her only defense.
With a casual toss, Henley threw her phone into a cup of water on the desk. He looked at Audrey with a smirk and proposed, “Audrey, cancel your wedding and leave with me.”
A wave of panic washed over Audrey as she stared back at Henley.
“You’re insane! If you try to take me hostage, you won’t even make it out of this venue.”
Henley laughed off her response. “Audrey, we clearly love each other. It’s quite understandable that you run away during a wedding you don’t want, right?”
His words sent a chill through Audrey. She knew he must have prepared everything. If she vanished, the media would likely report it as a romantic elopement. Such a narrative could severely affect the Clement Group’s stock prices.
Henley’s ultimate aim was still to undermine the Clement Group. Even if he couldn’t destabilize the company, merely tarnishing its reputation was satisfactory for him.
Audrey responded with fierce determination, “Your scheme won’t succeed. I’ve set a timed post on Twitter that will go live if the wedding doesn’t proceed as planned. Everyone will know something happened to me, and I’ve asked the people of Ambrosia to help spread the word.”
Henley stopped, taken aback by her shrewdness. He hadn’t anticipated such a preemptive move on her part. If her claim was true, abducting her would indeed be fraught with complications.
His lawyers had advised him that if he could avoid trouble for a month, they could manage any legal issues arising within Ambrosia.
Watching Henley mull over his choices, Audrey sensed he was evaluating the risks of proceeding. She sat down on a chair and suggested with a hint of challenge, “Mr. Brooks, why not give it a try? I bet your plane won’t even make it out of the city. Believe me?”
Henley remained silent, pondering her words. After a lengthy silence, he stepped back, laughing coldly. “Audrey, you’re truly clever. Together, we could dominate the world.”
Audrey’s heart steadied, realizing the immediate threat had passed.
Within moments, he had dismissed the idea of kidnapping her, primarily due to the significant complications she posed.
“Mr. Brooks, I have no desire to conquer the world, but there’s an old saying, ‘Those who practice injustice will ultimately bring about their own downfall.'” Audrey continued, “I suggest you reflect on these words before you act in the future. Maybe gather some good deeds. It might save you from a few stints in boiling oil in hell.”
Henley laughed heartily, his arrogance undiminished. “Audrey, as long as I wish it, no one can catch me.”
Henley’s perfectionism had often been his salvation. Paired with a lawyer adept at navigating legal loopholes, his arrogant declarations carried no trace of guilt.
Audrey, weary of his bluster, scoffed dismissively. “We’ll see. My only wish in life is to see you face justice for your wrongdoings.”
Henley felt a flicker of regret. Since reaching adulthood, things had typically gone his way. Whenever they hadn’t, he’d manipulated circumstances to his favor. Although he might lose in the battle regarding taking over the Clement Group, it was a minor setback. He had ample funds to start anew abroad. Yet, the one conquest that eluded him was Audrey. What a pity…
Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud “Bang!”
Cornell stormed in and Landed a solid punch on Henley’s face, sending Henley staggering back.
Cornell moved to strike again, but Henley seized his wrist, his voice icy with menace. “Mr. Clement, I assume you wouldn’t want to spend your wedding day at the police station?”
Cornell clenched his fist but held back from striking again, standing upright as he issued an ultimatum, “Do you want to leave on your own, or should I have someone escort you out? The police will be here very soon!”
Cornell had already alerted the police after receiving a message from Audrey. However, given it was their wedding day, he preferred to avoid a scene. Ideally, Henley would leave quietly and be apprehended outside.
Henley straightened his disheveled suit and smirked. “Since I’m clearly not welcome here, I’ll take my leave.” He paused before exiting, fixing Audrey with a profound look. “Audrey, I will live my life without regrets.”
Cornell’s hand clenched into a fist again, ready to strike, but Audrey quickly grasped his arm, whispering, “Don’t let him provoke you. Today is our wedding day.” She was resolute in not allowing Henley to derail their ceremony.
“Someone!” Audrey’s voice was low but firm. “Please escort this gentleman out.”
Bodyguards swiftly entered the room. Henley, maintaining his composure, shrugged off their hands. “I can leave on my own.” He then exited with his posture erect.
Cornell watched Henley leave, feeling a mix of relief and suspicion, and promptly instructed his security team to keep a vigilant watch on Henley to prevent any further mischief.
“Audrey, are you alright?” Cornell inquired, his voice laced with concern after issuing his commands.
Security at the wedding was stringent. Henley might have managed to infiltrate, but abducting Audrey was out of the question. Henley should be grateful he didn’t escalate the situation. A hostage attempt could have forced Cornell to respond defensively, leading to unpredictable outcomes.
Cornell resolved to make Henley regret any disruptions, but on their wedding day, he desired no violence.
Audrey smiled reassuringly. “Why would his threats scare me? I’m not so fragile.”
Cornell drew her close and kissed her forehead tenderly. “Good, as long as you’re safe.”
Just then, Erick entered the room and, spotting the couple’s tender moment, turned away, clearly annoyed. “The ceremony is about to start. Can’t you two hold off just a bit longer?”
Audrey chuckled at Erick’s irritated response and quickly clarified for Cornell, “Erick, we aren’t up to anything. Don’t imagine things.”
Erick felt a bit down by what he perceived as his sister’s premature affection for another man. He seized Cornell’s arm in frustration and led Cornell outside, querying sharply, “Groom, are your vows ready?”
After Cornell was ushered out, the officiant approached Audrey to go over the ceremony details.
When Audrey, accompanied by Landen, made her entrance onto the stage, the lights intensified, illuminating her wedding dress magnificently.
The intense sparkle of the diamond lights gave Audrey an ethereal glow, reminiscent of a fairy from a classic painting. Cornell, dressed impeccably in a black suit, appeared exceptionally distinguished on stage.
The couple, bathed in light, seemed perfectly matched, as if destined to be together.
Holding the microphone, the officiant posed the question to Cornell, “Mr. Cornell Clement, do you take Miss Audrey Foster to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”
With a loving gaze fixed on Audrey, Cornell responded without hesitation, “I do.”
The officiant then directed the same vow toward Audrey, drawing the attention of all present.
Audrey surveyed the crowd, the sweeping lights capturing the assembly.
Landen and Erick were cooing her twin babies. Luciana was beside Janey while Hector was next to Casey. Nearby, Bryce, Annis, Elin, and Luis were seated together.
All the faces she knew and loved were there. Even though some were absent, their blessings were felt. At this moment, everything was as perfect as it could be.
Audrey turned to face Cornell and firmly declared, “I do.”
Thunderous applause followed from the audience. Everyone was showering the couple with blessings.
During a break in the wedding, Cornell’s phone rang. It was the team keeping tabs on Henley. They reported that shortly after leaving the venue, Henley had been run over by Matilda, who had recently escaped from a sanatorium.
Although there was a chance to save Henley, Matilda interfered, preventing anyone from coming close enough to help. This delay ultimately led to Henley’s demise. It was a case of poetic justice.
Cornell murmured into the phone, “Understood.” With Henley’s threat gone, he too allowed himself a sigh of relief.
Turning back, Cornell saw Audrey smiling radiantly, her beauty striking him anew. He thought to himself that she should always have such a carefree smile.
The wedding day was lengthy and filled with joy.
In the evening, as the newly minted grandmother, Luciana naturally took Janey and the two babies to her villa to sleep. Her villa was conveniently next to Audrey and Cornell’s bridal suite, close enough to easily watch over the kids, yet providing each family with their privacy.
Luciana was not alone in caring for the three children. Annis was with her, and they were assisted by two nannies.
Meanwhile, Cornell carried Audrey upstairs to their suite.
Audrey inquired, “Isn’t it tiring?”
Cornell raised an eyebrow in response. “You underestimate your husband?”
Audrey was momentarily speechless, her ears warming at his words.
After entering, he gently closed the door with his foot and whispered, “Honey, are you tired?”
Audrey, wrapping her arms around his neck, smiled and replied, “Not really.”
“Should we start calling each other something different now?” Cornell suggested as he gently laid her down on the bed, hovering close above her.
His proximity caused Audrey’s cheeks to redden. “Thank you, my love,” she murmured.
As she spoke, he leaned in to embrace her. “Darling, how would you like to thank me?” he whispered.
Audrey’s blush deepened. “How do you want to be thanked?”
Cornell paused, teasing her with a mischievous grin, “With your ‘body'”
“We’re already married. I’m already yours. How else do I offer myself~” Audrey’s words trailed off as her lips were met with his in a passionate kiss. “Mmm…” she gasped softly in surprise.
His hand gently wandered under her dress as he murmured in a husky voice, “Let’s seal that promise now.”
Overcome with emotion, Audrey found herself speechless again. Her voice was tender, almost a whimper, “Honey…”