Husband With Benefits
Chapter 371: Forever Together(2)

Chapter 371: Forever Together(2)

As Ari nodded however, a shift overcame her expression as she said," I can do that, Gabe. But what do I do? I don’t want to."

Gabe, who was focused on assessing the situation, missed the shift and frowned as he kept an eye on the rescue team getting to Nora and starting to walk towards them. Frowning at her answer, he turned to her," What do you mean, you don’t want to..."

He trailed off as he watched in horror the door on the driver’s side open, Ari’s foot out hanging in the air.

"Arabelle!"

Slowly, she brought her leg back inside and raised a taunting eyebrow at him," What are you so worried about? You’ve saved Nora, haven’t you? Then you should have no problem giving me my ’forever’."

"Arabelle. Please. Death is not the solution. Please don’t gamble with your life. The rescue team is here and soon, they can rescue you. When the time comes, you slowly shift here and get off the car safely."

Arabelle sighed and looked at Gabe carefully questioning him," Are you saying that even after everything that has happened, you want me to come there and let the rescue team save me first."

"Of course." Gabe answered the question insitintively, his focus still on the rescue team who was setting up equipment to temporarily stabilise their vehicle. He just needed to keep Arabelle focused.

When there was only silence in the car, he suddenly felt fearful and whipped his head to look at Arabelle, fearing the worst. However, she sat there, still as a statue, staring at him with wide eyes.

Gabe was confused as he tried to discern if the person in front of him was Arabelle or Ari. However, he knew they did not have much time. The wind seemed to be picking up and as the open door swayed wildly, he knew a single forceful bang might be the end of them.

A lone tear slipped down her eye as her hard exterior seemed to crack, revealing a vulnerability beneath.

She took a shaky breath, trying to hold back her emotions, but the dam broke, and she couldn’t suppress it any longer.

"I never expected... after everything I’ve done, after all the chaos I caused," Arabelle’s voice quivered with a mix of regret and disbelief. "Why are you still trying to save me, Gabe?"

For the first time, Gabe felt as if he was finally speaking to the real Arabelle. The one who was not embittered by losing her obsession and unburdened by the madness that her brain surrounded her with. The real mix of Arabelle and Ari. Not two different personalities.

Shakily, he extended his hand to her, wondering if she would hold him. With a soft gaze, he watched as she placed her shaky hand in his and he whispered,"Because I cannot stop loving you, Ari."

Arabelle, her tears now flowing freely, whispered, "I’ve hurt so many people. I’ve hurt you, Gabe. Why do you care, Gabe?"

The only answer he could give was a soft smile to her as he rubbed her wrist in an attempt to soothe her.

She sniffled, wiping away tears with the back of her hand like a little child. "I never thought... I never thought anyone would still care about me without wanting anything in return."

Just then, Gabe felt the car being locked in place and looked outside to see the rescue fighters signalling for him to slowly come out.

Slightly, he tugged at her hand, making her look at him," Come here, Arabelle. It’s time for us to return."

Arabelle’s hand tightened in his and she started to inch towards the central console. As she shifted her weight,over it, she turned and instead faced him, sitting on his leg, looking into his eyes. As she sat there, she could see the rescue officers signaling frantically and knew that time was short.

Cupping his face, her lips met his in a bittersweet kiss, a mixture of sorrow and affection. Gabe, in return, offered a reassuring kiss, his hand gently patting her back.

Slowly, Gabe opened the door on his side and broke the kiss,"Arabelle," Get off. Its time to go to safety."

But instead of complying, Arabelle leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear. She whispered something that had Gabe widen his eyes.

And then...

Before he could react, Arabelle pushed him out of the car with unexpected force. Gabe stumbled sideways, desperately reaching out to grab onto something, but it was too late. He watched in shock as Arabelle, with a haunting expression, slipped back to her side and out of the other side, into the deep abyss.

For a moment, everything seemed quiet as Gabe sat there, a mixture of shock and grief. His ears echoed with the fading whispers of Arabelle’s last words, the weight of which settled in his chest like a heavy stone, leaving him paralyzed.

The rescue team and Nora, approached Gabe cautiously, their expressions a blend of sympathy and concern. Carefully, Nora placed a hand on his shoulder and hugged the man who seemed to be lost suddenly.

As the reality of Arabelle’s fall sank in, grief seized Gabe’s heart, and a torrent of emotions overwhelmed him. His hands trembled, and tears welled up in his eyes. Just then, Demetri and the others reached the site, only to see their brother sitting there alone. Only a glance at his expression was enough to let them know as they quickly surrounded him, as if to shield him from the reality.

A century seemed to have passed for Gabe but suddenly a force grappled within him and he quickly scrambled to his feet. He would not give up without a fight. While the others tried to ask him, he screamed,"I have to go after her!" Gabe shouted, his voice desperate and determined.

Ignoring the restraining hands, he rushed over peered over the edge, his eyes searching the vastness below as if willing Arabelle to reappear.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by free(w)ebnovel(.)com

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.