Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Vicki trailed off, but Doreen’s excitement filled the gap. “Are you guys planning for a baby? This is the perfect season for it, and the timing will be just right. It’s wonderful how well you’ve planned everything!”
Vicki’s cheeks flushed a deep red, and she glanced downward, clearly shy by the attention.
Meanwhile, Jarrod’s expression remained cool, showing no signs of excitement about the prospect of becoming a father of Vicki’s child.
Nicole listened to this exchange, a wave of happiness washing over her. They were trying for a baby, and if they succeeded, they might return Austin to her..
With this hopeful thought, Nicole served Vicki a glass of water, keeping it plain.
Vicki accepted the water and studied Nicole’s face, pleased with her discretion.
After taking a sip, Vicki turned to Doreen. “Have you made a wish yet?”
“Of course not. I was waiting for everyone,” Doreen replied.
One of Doreen’s friends chimed in, “Everyone’s here now. Doreen, make your wish and light the candles.”
“Wait. We’re still missing someone,” Doreen interjected.
Nicole felt an inexplicable flutter in her chest at those words. As she had anticipated, the next arrival was Roscoe.
Roscoe seemed surprised to see Nicole, perhaps expecting her to be working in a managerial role rather than as a barmaid, judging by her uniform.
Roscoe’s face remained stoic, his emotions concealed, as Doreen rushed toward him with giddy excitement, clutching his arm. “Roscoe, you’re finally here! Miguel said you’ve been tied up with a project. Has it been very tiring?”
With a cold detachment, Roscoe withdrew his arm and slipped his hand into his pocket, thwarting Doreen’s attempts to hold onto him.
Ever since Roscoe suggested calling off the engagement, Doreen had been seething with anger. For three days, she gave him the silent treatment, but eventually, her frustration got the better of her. She had hoped Roscoe would apologize, yet he showed no regret, seemingly resolute about his decision.
Doreen, gripped by panic, reached out to Miguel to vent her frustrations.
To her expectation, Miguel was unaware of the tension between them.
Upon learning of the situation, he chastised Roscoe harshly.
However, for the first time, Roscoe had challenged Miguel’s authority after his memory loss. He questioned, “Did I really love Doreen? Could you be deceiving me? How could I ever love someone like her?”
Miguel, taken aback by Roscoe’s questioning, scrutinized Roscoe’s expression, wondering if he was onto something.
Miguel had been quite content with the current Roscoe who had lost his memories. Roscoe was compliant, a stark contrast to his former rebellious self who disregarded the Watts family’s interests and handed over vital documents regarding the cooperation with the Schultz family, even eloping with Nicole.
Miguel was relieved by this more manageable version of Roscoe.
If not for the doctor’s warnings about the adverse effects of the drug, Miguel would have continued the treatments indefinitely, ensuring Roscoe wouldn’t reclaim the fragments of his memory loss.
The doctor had cautioned that Roscoe’s memory loss was temporary and unpredictable and Roscoe could regain his memories at any moment, though it could also take years, or even decades.
Miguel hadn’t anticipated signs of Roscoe’s memory returning so soon.
It had been such a brief time. He stroked his beard and lied, “Why would I deceive you? Remember, you were the one who chased after Doreen. Now you’re the one claiming she’s not good enough? You’ve tarnished her reputation. Who will marry her now?”
Roscoe remained skeptical. “I believe I have better judgment. I wouldn’t fancy someone known for cruelty.”
Miguel was at a loss for words. He demanded that Roscoe apologize to Doreen, but Roscoe stood his ground. “I’ve done nothing wrong. I won’t apologize.”
Enraged, Miguel swung his cane at Roscoe, who dodged swiftly, causing Miguel to fall and subsequently be hospitalized.
Seeing Miguel in a weakened state later, Roscoe relented somewhat, agreeing to make an effort to get along with Doreen.
This birthday party marked Roscoe’s first meeting with Doreen since that tumultuous argument.
Doreen, sensing Roscoe’s aloofness, clenched her teeth tightly. She had noticed Roscoe’s attention fixed on Nicole earlier, sparking jealousy and rage. Her plan had been to show Roscoe the demeaning nature of Nicole’s job.
However, Roscoe’s actual presence and the way he looked at Nicole only fueled Doreen’s jealousy and anger.
Despite Nicole’s modest uniform, Doreen viewed her with disdain, convinced Nicole always appeared seductive regardless of attire.
Trying to mask her frustration with flirtation, Doreen said, “Roscoe, we’re all waiting for you to blow out the candles.”
The couch was a three-seater. With Vicki and Jarrod occupying one end, Roscoe had no choice but to sit beside Doreen.
As Nicole approached with a long lighter to ignite the candles, Doreen interrupted sharply, her tone harsh as she commanded, “Give me the lighter.”
Nicole meekly passed the lighter to Doreen, who dismissively gestured with her hand and snapped, “Move aside!”
To Doreen, this was her moment, her birthday wish, and she was not going to let Nicole spoil it.
Acknowledging the command, Nicole stepped back to the corner. Despite her retreat, she could feel the weight of many eyes on her.
Nicole bowed her head, her eyes fixed on the floor. There were those among the crowd who wished her harm. Their stares burned into her, intense and unwavering.
Doreen made her birthday wish and grabbed Roscoe’s hand, cheerfully suggesting, “Roscoe, let’s blow out the candles together, okay?”
Roscoe’s response was a tense hand. Doreen felt the stiffness but didn’t release her grip. Instead, she held on tighter. She understood the dynamics at play. Roscoe wouldn’t dare let go of her hand in front of Jarrod, for fear of repercussions from Jarrod.
Predictably, Roscoe attempted to pull away, but finding no success, he stopped trying. He silently blew out the candles, deciding to act without Doreen.
“I have taken care of it,” Roscoe said curtly, disregarding the upset look on Doreen’s face.
Doreen’s expression hardened. She forced a smile and murmured, “Thanks, Roscoe.”
Instead of replying to her words, Roscoe withdrew his hand when Doreen was briefly distracted.
At that moment, Nicole happened to lift her head, meeting Doreen’s gaze. Doreen’s expression softened to a mocking smile as she motioned to Nicole and said, “Come and cut the cake.”
Instead of calling Nicole Miss Lawrence, Doreen’s tone implied disrespect, suggesting that Nicole was not worthy of her politeness.
As Nicole stepped forward with the plastic knife to cut the cake, Doreen abruptly intervened. “Ah! Stop!”
Nicole halted, turning to face Doreen.
“Have you washed your hands?” Doreen scoffed. “With all the people you meet, who knows what you’re carrying? Now you want to cut the cake? Think of the germs you might spread.”
Nicole’s hand trembled, and her face drained of color.
Vicki relished the scene, noticing Jarrod’s inscrutable expression, uncertain of what to make of it.
Vicki feigned concern and stepped in. “Don’t be upset, Miss Lawrence. It’s just that Doreen likes things clean. It’s mot about you. With the crowd you deal with daily, she’s just being cautious. Please, wash your hands and then come back to cut the cake.”
While Vicki’s words seemed diplomatic, they subtly underscored Nicole’s occupation at the nightclub, casting her in a negative light.
Her supposed mediation only embarrassed Nicole even more.
But the subtlety of Vicki’s manipulation went unnoticed. ALl eyes were on Doreen’s difficult behavior.
A barmaid beside Nicole gently took the knife, offering, “Go wash up. I’ll take care of this.”
But before Nicole could respond, Doreen snapped at the barmaid, “Who told you to interfere? You’re just as unclean. Wait for her to finish washing and then let her handle it.”
Nicole listened to this and continued washing her hands, her face betraying no emotion. She knew this spectacle was exactly what Vicki relished. Vicki had orchestrated her employment here to degrade her.
If enduring humiliation would keep Austin safe, then Nicole was prepared to bear it. It was clear Vicki reveled in seeing her degraded, and she was resigned to fulfilling that role.
Vicki observed Doreen’s overbearing behavior and inwardly shook her head. Though this was the drama she wanted, Doreen’s antics were foolish and laughable.
Wasn’t it obvious that Roscoe had been uncomfortable since his arrival, his brow furrowed in displeasure? Doreen’s aggressive demeanor would only alienate men further. Yet, she seemed oblivious, continuing to displease Roscoe.
If it weren’t for Doreen’s influential uncle, Jarrod, the Watts family might have long ceased tolerating her jealous fits.
But Doreen’s folly was precisely what Vicki counted on.
Nonetheless, Vicki praised Doreen effusively, complimenting her beauty today.
Doreen, buoyed by the flattery, grew even more conceited.
When Nicole returned to cut the cake, Doreen deliberately asked Roscoe, “Roscoe, do you know what I wished for just now?”
Roscoe remained silent, his indifference palpable. He regretted trying to get along with Doreen. How could he have ever been drawn to someone so quarrelsome and aggressive? Those rumors of him once falling for her must be incorrect.
Lately, Roscoe had been haunted by dreams of a woman with eyes Like butterfly wings and a smile that dazzled brighter than the stars. She was unlike ordinary girls, her spirit free and courageous. Quite admirable. In his dreams, his love for her felt overwhelming.
But upon waking, her face eluded him, and a sense of loss pervaded his thoughts. He couldn’t recall who she was, but he was certain it wasn’t Doreen.
Noticing Roscoe’s silence, Vicki prodded, “Doreen, what did you wish for? Jarrod and I are very curious.”
Feeling less isolated, Doreen replied, “I wished for Roscoe and me to start a family soon.”
Vicki laughed behind her hand. “Calling that a wish? You’re already close to making it happen.”
Vicki playfully nudged Jarrod. “Seems like Doreen can’t wait. Roscoe is so desirable that Doreen wants to tie the knot soon, or someone might snatch him away.”