Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
In the car, Jarrod’s frustration was palpable as he read Nicole’s lengthy message on his phone. With a grimace, he threw the phone against the back of the seat, startling his driver.
The driver, catching Jarrod’s troubled expression in the rearview mirror, asked tentatively, “Mr. Schultz, is something wrong?”
Jarrod glanced at his phone’s shattered screen and muttered, “Nothing.”
He then turned his gaze to the window, watching the landscape blur by, his expression troubled. It dawned on him that Nicole always seemed able to leave his side without looking back. Perhaps, he thought, it was time to truly let her go and grant her the independence she sought.
Nicole resettled into her former family home, a property she had repurchased after it had been sold off years earlier.
She had maintained contact with real estate agents to reclaim it if it ever went back on the market. When the opportunity arose due to the current owner’s financial distress, Nicole acted swiftly and bought it back.
The house, having appreciated significantly over the years, required an extra million dollars to finalize the purchase. Its prime location was something the previous owner wouldn’t have given up under normal circumstances.
Having preserved the house just as it was before marrying Jarrod, Nicole always felt she might return. Now back, she settled in and went to check her mailbox, which she had continued to use as her permanent address regardless of her whereabouts.
Among the usual bills, she found the genetic testing and health checkup reports that Roscoe had reminded her to renew.
Opening them, Nicole was stunned to find all values within normal ranges, surprising given her history of poor health outcomes following stomach surgery. It seemed almost miraculous, as if an elixir had restored her health.
Nicole marveled at the results. Could those pills have truly worked wonders?
Eager for confirmation and intrigued by the potential implications for her health, Nicole quickly called Roscoe. After a few rings, he picked up.
“Nicole?” Roscoe answered, his tone reflecting surprise at her call.
Nicole hadn’t been in touch with Roscoe for quite some time, mostly due to the complications in her life and Jarrod’s watchful eye.
She hesitated to involve Roscoe, not wanting to draw him into her troubles. However, she found herself in need of his medical expertise, particularly in genetic testing, an area where he far surpassed her knowledge.
“Roscoe, could you review my medical report? All my test results are now normal. Does this mean that those pills worked? And more importantly, could Austin consume those pills?” Nicole’s voice crackled with cautious optimism over the call. The possibility that the same pills might help Austin filled her with a mix of hope and anxiety.
Roscoe responded promptly to Nicole’s request, “Send over the details and we can discuss this more comfortably over voice chat.”
As they switched to a voice call, Nicole forwarded the test results.
Remembering her previous oversight, she inquired about his health, “How have you been holding up, Roscoe?”
Roscoe paused, a hint of hesitation in his voice, perhaps indicating he preferred to keep his ordeal private. “I’m managing quite well, Nicole. Thanks for asking,” he reassured her, his tone steady.
Relieved to hear Roscoe was doing well, Nicole continued, “That’s great to hear. Now, about my report…”
Roscoe reviewed her medical data briefly before responding, “Nicole, the results suggest your body has nearly normalized, which is remarkable.”
The conversation then turned to Austin. “What about Austin? Is it possible for him to use the pills?” Nicole asked, her tone laced with concern.
“How did you come across the pills?” Roscoe inquired, recalling the chaotic circumstances previously unmentioned by Nicole.
Nicole explained how she discovered the porcelain bottle before Alec’s incident, an oversight in her earlier explanation due to the tumult.
Pleased yet cautious, Roscoe considered the implications. “It’s promising, but every case is unique. We can’t assume Austin will respond identically,” contemplating further, he asked, “How many pills remain?”
Nicole checked. “There are five left in the bottle,” she informed him.
Reflecting on their shared history with taking the pills, Roscoe commented, “You had taken three, and the witch forced me to take four. We need to plan carefully. Austin might need up to four pills.”
Roscoe explained, “Nicole, to be honest, about a quarter of my brain was consumed by the parasites. If it had been anyone else, they would likely be paralyzed and bedridden. But Emerie kept me alive with medicine.
Although it wasn’t as potent as the pills you found, it kept me functioning. During the ritual, she gave me four of those pills. While the missing parts of my brain didn’t regenerate, they formed a closed gap, allowing me to live normally, except for some headaches.
We both experienced positive results after taking the pills, but I can’t be sure if Austin can use them, so I need to study one pill first.”
Roscoe hadn’t planned on sharing this information. As a man, he didn’t feel obliged to expose his scars and didn’t want to burden Nicole. He knew Nicole inside out.
Despite her tough exterior, she had a soft heart and always went the extra mile to help those who had extended a helping hand to her.
Roscoe might not want to admit it, but he had likely fallen into that category in Nicole’s heart. Her decision to be with him wasn’t just about romance; her compassion for him also fueled it.
“Your brain…” Nicole was at a loss for words, stunned by what she had just learned.
She hadn’t realized the extent of Roscoe’s suffering. The thought of a parasite gnawing away at his brain was a nightmare beyond comprehension. It sent shivers down Nicole’s spine.
“It’s alright, Nicole. Despite everything, Emerie had a shred of decency and didn’t let me die. The pills she gave me before she passed saved my life. I can handle a few lingering side effects,” Roscoe reassured her.
Emerie’s gesture of kindness toward Roscoe, which involved taking him to Witch Valley, stemmed from his past act of saving her life. As the parasites began to control Roscoe’s mind, he still had some semblance of control.
While on a journey with Emerie, their driver, unfortunately, picked a less-than-stellar car, resulting in a crash that left Emerie trapped in her seat. Panic set in as the driver fled the scene, leaving behind a car leaking oil and on the verge of catching fire. It was a dire situation.
Any seasoned driver would know that car fires could escalate quickly, engulfing the vehicle within minutes, sometimes leading to explosions. In the heat of the moment, the driver didn’t abandon Roscoe, recognizing his vital role within the family, and swiftly pulled him away from the looming danger.
Despite believing that she was invincible, panic gripped Emerie as thick smoke billowed into the car. She had witnessed the devastating aftermath of car fires before, and fear crept into her heart.
With a sudden burst of determination, Roscoe wriggled free from the driver’s grasp and yanked Emerie out of the car just as the flames licked at the back seat, transforming the vehicle into a roaring inferno within seconds. In under fifteen minutes, the car was nothing but a burnt-out shell.
Emerie found herself profoundly moved by Roscoe’s courage. Having lived a life of seclusion, encountering such genuine and selfless bravery left an indelible mark on her soul. Emerie’s perspective sharply contrasted with that of the chief.
While the chief fixated on achieving immortality, Emerie, influenced by her upbringing but still young and impressionable, developed a soft spot for Roscoe.
Roscoe was far from naive. He understood the importance of Emerie’s role after the accident. He knew that her survival could prove advantageous for him.
As expected, Emerie had gone against the Watts family’s wishes and used her knowledge of herbs to sustain Roscoe. Even after returning to Witch Valley, she continued to keep him alive. In Emerie’s final moments, her actions to save Roscoe were her way of seeking redemption.
Nicole’s worry lingered. “Roscoe, are you absolutely certain about your health?”
“Of course, I’m a doctor, after all. I wouldn’t make such a claim without thoroughly checking myself first.”
Roscoe attempted to ease Nicole’s worries, mindful of the weight of her existing concerns. With a gentle chuckle, he said, “I’m all good now, Nicole. Nothing tops the importance of staying alive.”
“Alright, I will send you the pills,” Nicole responded.
Roscoe wasn’t recovering as fast as he let on. The beating he had taken had left him with a colorful collection of bruises, and now he was stuck in bed.
He needed some time to heal. Not wanting Nicole to see his condition, he swiftly replied, “No worries, Nicole. I’ll arrange for someone to fetch them.”
Recognizing the significance of the pills, Roscoe made arrangements for a trustworthy individual they both knew to retrieve them. Nicole then asked, “How is your investment project coming along?”
Reluctant to cause her concern, Roscoe simply replied, “It’s progressing smoothly.”
Knowing Roscoe’s reluctance to admit difficulties, Nicole shifted her approach. “Roscoe, my best friend’s husband wields considerable influence.
You might have heard of him. His name is Cornell Clement, CEO of the Clement Group. I could ask my friend and see if she can help you connect.”
“There is no need for that, Nicole. I have this under control,” Roscoe replied confidently.
Roscoe had heard of Cornell, a heavyweight in finance renowned for his keen insights. He had a meticulously crafted plan to breathe life back into the family business, harboring around sixty percent certainty that it could succeed. However, with the Schultz family keeping their distance, doubts loomed over his plan as it encountered numerous hurdles.
Although Nicole’s suggestion held allure, Roscoe hesitated to have her plead his case. Considering the Clement Group’s size, he reasoned they likely received numerous partnership requests, and he didn’t want to appear presumptuous. Instead, he resolved to explore avenues such as seeking loans from banks or considering alternative options.
Despite his refusal, Nicole persisted, “Roscoe, my best friend is like family to me. I can’t promise about anyone else, but she will go above and beyond to help me.”
Nicole made it clear to Roscoe as she explained, “Don’t assume I’m only doing this for your benefit. I have faith in you, which is why I’m suggesting you to my best friend’s husband. He wouldn’t invest in a bad project just to do me a favor. If he gives the green light to your idea, it’s because it’s valuable.”
Roscoe felt encouraged by her words, realizing that with such support, he could solve his problem much faster. Moreover, only when he had the family business sorted out could he devote more time to helping Nicole.
He had found himself tangled in his family’s troubles without wanting to be. He didn’t care about social status and could manage on his own. However, now that he was involved, there was no easy way out. At this point, leaving for self-preservation seemed almost impossible.
Miguel, who had always been harsh, never really accepted Roscoe as part of the family, a painful truth Roscoe had come to accept. On his deathbed, Miguel summoned Roscoe over, only to criticize his mother for being a bumpkin, someone he looked down on, which extended his hatred to Roscoe. Even in his last moments, Miguel’s feelings toward Roscoe had not softened.
Nicole added, “I’m doing this because I see your potential as a businessperson. You can excel in anything you set your mind to, so you must believe in yourself.”
Finally, Roscoe agreed. He nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”
Nicole felt a wave of relief. “Great! I’ll speak to my friend soon.”
“Sure, take your time. I’ll review this pill first and then arrange a meeting with Mr. Clement.”
For Roscoe, the risk of potential imprisonment seemed minor compared to Austin’s health.
After the call, Nicole quickly informed Audrey. Audrey was eager to assist Nicole and trusted her judgment. If Nicole vouched for someone, Audrey stood by that recommendation. Moreover, Audrey had heard about Roscoe before.
He had a reputation as a virtuous and respectable young man. Given Miguel’s shameful behavior towards Roscoe, Audrey was definitely inclined to assist him.
However, the situation was complicated by Jarrod’s involvement. Jarrod really didn’t like Roscoe and wanted him to fail. If Cornell helped Roscoe, it would mean going against the Schultz Group. Cornell and Jarrod’s long-standing friendship added another layer of complexity to the situation.
Nicole laid out these complications to Audrey, who didn’t respond directly but clearly disapproved of Jarrod’s harsh methods. Audrey brought up the issue with Cornell, who decided to review Roscoe’s plan before making any decisions, showing his openness to consider it.
Feeling somewhat sorry, Audrey asked, “Honey, will this make things difficult for you?”
Cornell reassured her with a smile and said, “No worries, babe. Jarrod and I have a clear agreement that personal feelings won’t mix with business. We always ensure fair competition without any issues.”
In the business world, Cornell, Jarrod, Luis, and Erick had all firmly embraced this principle for a long time. There was no need for concessions. Each company was big enough that skipping one project wouldn’t lead to bankruptcy, so competition was welcomed.