Husband With Benefits
Chapter 322: I Apologize

Chapter 322: I Apologize

Erasmi had never thought that he would be amused when someone asked him why he had not died. But looking at the poor woman’s face, he could only chuckle in amusement.

Her hands still covering her mouth, she stared at him, a mix of disbelief and embarrassment evident in her wide eyes. "I-I... I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sound heartless. It’s just... even your laughter is like my Caius."

Erasmi’s amusement disappeared, and he looked down before looking at her slowly," His laughter is like mine, Mrs Mercer."

Mrs Mercer shot him a horrified look before nodding slowly," I... uh...I don’t know what to say... I was told that Caius’ both biological parents had died in the accident, and he was barely saved by the doctors as a premature baby. It was your grandfather who made the arrangements for Caius’ adoption... He had a few conditions before the adoption to which we agreed but I don’t understand... why did he lie to us?"

Erasmi grimaced and explained," I was presumed dead, Mrs Mercer. In fact, I was dead for the last ten years. I only returned a year ago..."

"I don’t understand..."

Knowing that he needed to explain himself, he slowly recounted the details of how everyone had been made to believe that he had died and only his grandfather and twin had been aware of his barely alive self. And then suddenly he had started to return to his senses about a couple of years ago.

Silence reigned as he slowly finished the details of the story and watched as the woman wiped her tears inconspicuously. Taking the chance, he quickly added," Mrs Mercer, I am not here to take Caius away from you."

The woman looked at him in shock before she questioned him slowly," You’re not?"

"No. At least not yet."

Erasmi watched as Mrs Mercer immediately straightened like a protective lioness, ready to attack him and raised his hand," Please listen to me."

"I have only recently discovered about having a child. And while I want to know everything about him and take him away, for me what is of utmost importance that he stay in a place where he does not have to suffer. So, there is no way that I would be taking him away from the only parent he has even known. What I would like is a chance to get to know him and be in his life."

"And when he knows you and trusts you? You will feel less guilty taking him away from me?" Mrs Mercer asked quietly.

Erasmi sighed. "To be honest, I’ve not thought that far ahead. I just want to get to know my son."

"My son." the lady snapped to which Erasmi just shrugged. He wouldn’t be arguing semantics.

His calm attitude seemed to somewhat surprise the lady and she took in a deep breath and sighed," I,m sorry from snapping at you. Its good that you are being honest but not thinking of the long term would be unjust to Caius. He’s never known a father. If he were to get attached to you, and then later you decide to leave..."

"No. I have no intention of leaving now or ever." Erasmi asserted.

"I..."

He watched the woman gulp and clench her hands and sighed,"Mrs Mercer. Is there anything..."

Before he could question her, Mrs Mercer started to cough roughly again. Hurriedly, he handed her a glass of water and waited for her to catch her breath.

As the lady’s breathing settled again, he realized that the coughing was not due to sickness but due to nervousness. Ever since his arrival here, she had been panicking, causing her throat to close and the coughing fits to start.

"You are scared of me." Instead of a question, it came out as a statement and as the woman looked horrified, letting him know that he’d hit the nail bang on.

"But why are you scared of me? I’ve already assured you that I won’t be fighting you, Mrs Mercer."

Taking deep breaths, the lady closed her eyes for a moment and opened them again. Slowly, she spoke," Mr Frost. I’d like to ask you for some time to assimilate to this sudden situation. You’ve had two days to come to terms with this..."

Erasmi looked at the woman carefully, his instinct telling him that something was not right. But now was not the time to question the lady. With a slight nod, he said slowly," Very well. I’ll come see you after two days, Mrs Mercer. I hope you will be able to answer my queries then."

As he stood up to leave, his eyes scanned the surroundings for a moment, stopping on something for a split second, before he left without a backward glance.

***

Late in the night, a small cab arrived at the door of the house. A young woman walked out of the car with a large bag and placed the bag in the trunk of the car before speaking with the driver and rushing back inside.

Next she brought out a smaller bag, handed it to the driver, and rushed to return.

However, before she could go back again, she found her way blocked by a large man. A scream almost escaped her as she looked up at the man whom she’d sent away a few hours ago.

"Are you going somewhere, Mrs. Mercer?"

"I.. I..."

Erasmi watched as the woman’s throat closed up and shook his head. He had really hoped to be wrong in this instance. He watched disdainfully as she tried to speak but couldn’t. Taking a step closer, he was about to help her when a small voice suddenly spoke up angrily," Who are you? Get away from my mother!"

It was dark but as Erasmi watched the young boy march out confidently and stand between him and the lady, he could not help but be amazed at the child. This was Caius. His son. He was so brave. Standing there. Protecting the woman he called his mother.

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