Husband With Benefits
Chapter 178: But What?

Chapter 178: But What?

They were both silent, each lost in their own thoughts after the disclosure. The truth was that Erasmi had not told her everything about Nellie. He was not too sure if he should. After all the truth would not make much of a difference when the person was already dead. But knowing the truth, it would definitely hurt Nora.

She had never known any kindness in her family. So, if she believed that her sister was a good person, it would not harm anyone. So, he silently sipped his coffee. And then he grimaced to himself. He was supposed to be here to keep an eye on Nora and instead, he was already ready to protect her. No wonder all his younger brothers doted on her. There was something about her quiet strength that made them want to protect her and not let her use the strength.

"Is it too painful for you to tell me the rest?" Nora asked quietly.

Erasmi looked up in surprise. "What rest? I’ve already told you everything."

"Demetri did not like her. That was the reason the two of you fought, wasn’t it? Before your accident that is. So, wither Demetri was wrong about her or you were. And the fact that you have not told me anything to indicate his dislike for her, you must be hiding something."

Erasmi raised an eyebrow at her perceptiveness. "You are quite smart."

Nora shrugged her shoulders at the comment and waited for Erasmi to expand. Erasmi rubbed his forehead and answered slowly," When I came to know about Nellie’s intentions, I was adamant that we could adopt you and take care of you ourselves. I would be with her and help her and then we would take our trips at intervals instead of taking a year off together, we’ll take one trip at a time."

"So, what happened?"

Erasmi sighed," It is not important."

"It is to me, Erasmi. I don’t want to know a fake person. Tell me the truth."

Erasmi inhaled sharply and spoke a bit harshly, "She never planned to be responsible for you. The only reason she wanted to adopt you was to have control over the little things that had been left to you. And because she wanted to spend her life in leisure, she planned something different. The goal was to marry, claim her inheritance. Then ’we’ would adopt you."

"And then she would divorce you and claim child maintenance because you legally adopted me."

Erasmi grimaced. How foolish had he been? Even Nora could see through the plan.

"Don’t blame yourself. You could not have expected something like that. But after learning everything my mother has done to claim the money, I can guess. How did you finally discover the truth?"

"I didn’t. It was Demetri. He felt that she was too saintly to be true. And when something is too good to be true, it usually means that it is not real. He insisted, he begged, he fought and threatened me to ask her to sign a pre-nuptial agreement. But everything failed and I continued to refuse him, blind in my faith in her."

"Was that what you fought about before the accident?" Nora asked softly. No wonder Demetri had always been ridden with guilt if they’d had a big fight before the accident. Of course, she was already guessing because he’d barely told her the bare facts before...

"No, we fought because when I continued to refuse him, he impersonated me one day and approached her with the idea of signing a prenuptial agreement."

"And that must not have felt right..."

"Let’s just say Demetri had a way of goading the truth out of her. He made her so angry that she blurted everything out. I was quite shocked. Later, when I confronted her she said that she said everything out of anger because she had felt I did not trust her. She was also willing to sign the prenuptial agreement. We were actually going there when the accident happened..."

"So, you never were going able to ascertain the truth."

"Hmm. What do you think I should believe, Nora? I want to remember only the goodness in her. But every time I think of her, somehow it reminds me of all that she said to Demetri. And I cannot help but wonder if I was mistaken. What do you think I should do Nora?"

Erasmi looked at Nora and questioned her directly. He had asked this question to Demetri as well after he had woken up. Demetri’s answer had surprised him and confused him even more because it was the opposite of what he had expected. He wondered if Nora would also feel the same.

"I... you loved her with all your heart. Then you should remember that love. If you hold the anger in your heart then you won’t be able to live in the future. You’ve come among the living after a long time, so naturally, you should cherish the good only."

Erasmi smiled. "You think too much like my brother. He also had to say the same thing. Cherish the love. It is interesting, isn’t it? I would have expected him to say that I should forget her and move on. It would have been what he said in the past. But I think he now understands what love is."

Nora paused as mid-sip, as she stared over the rim of her cup, staring at Erasmi, saying nothing.

"I think he has always understood what love is. Look at the way he has always treasured his family. I really admire him for it."

Erasmi grimaced. He really would have to question her directly," Forget about Demetri. I think I am going to be direct with you. Are you in love with my brother, Nora?"

Nora coughed at the question and stared incredulously at the man. Why was he still stuck on that? He’s asked this of her previously as well.

"Why are you so intent on knowing that?"

"Why won’t you answer me directly?"

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