Husband With Benefits
Chapter 658: Second Guess

Chapter 658: Second Guess

"Eras, you’re going to wear a hole in the floor with all your pacing," Demetri remarked, his voice tinged with exasperation as he watched his brother pace for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Forget about wearing a hole, he might end up sweating like a pig at his own wedding," Seb quipped, his tone hushed as he tried to soothe little Innocensa to sleep. His daughter’s face scrunched up at the sound of his voice, so he could only whisper as he gently rocked her, his eyes fixed on Eras.

"Is something the matter, Eras? Are you having second thoughts about the marriage?" Ian’s question sliced through the air, causing Eras to freeze mid-step. The brothers exchanged alarmed glances, tension crackling between them.

"It’s too late for cold feet, Eras!" Gabe whisper-shouted, his eyes wide with urgency. "It’s almost time for you to go out and take your place at the altar!"

"I need to talk to Ava," Eras announced, his voice resolute.

"You can talk later. You have to go to the altar now," Demetri insisted, stepping forward.

"Demetri can go in my place for now. Let me just go and talk to her first."

"Hey! Nora will kill me if I replace you at the altar!" Demetri protested, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "I am a happily married man with no intention of marrying anyone else! Also, do you think the girls will let you talk? They are going to..."

But Eras was already beyond listening as he marched towards the door, with a curt order, just delay everything for a bit. I’ll go and talk to her.

"Hey! What is your plan? How are you going to get in?"

Eras paused at the door and turned back," Demon cannot play me but I have no qualms about playing him."

"Hey! Why would I want to talk to Ava? Eras..."

Before Demetri could raise his voice, Seb shushed him with a glare. His daughter had barely slept and if these guys continued to shout, then she would be crying through out the wedding, getting on everyone’e nerves! His little girl had well developed lungs.. she could even give an opera singer a run for their money!

As the door closed behind him decisively, they could only exchange a glance. Something was the matter, and they did not know what... But whatever it was, it was better to sort things out before the marriage.

Ian groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just great. What do we do now?"

"We stall," Gabe said with a sigh, adjusting his tie. "I’ll go tell the officiant there’s a minor delay."

"I just hope he knows what he’s doing." Seb muttered as he rocked Innocensa. At least the little girl had fallen asleep. With a smile, he quickly kissed her forhead and looked up. All was well as long as his little devil of a girl was sleeping.

Meanwhile, Eras made his way down the corridor, determination etched on his face. He knew where the bridal suite was, and he had no intention of letting anyone stop him. As he approached the door, he could hear the chatter and laughter of everyone inside.

He took a deep breath, straightened his jacket, and knocked. As expected, it was Nora who opened the door. Quickly, she smiled up at him, "Demetri..." but then paused and quickly glanced behind her, stepped out and closedthe door behind her. "Erasmi. What are you doing here?"

" I want to talk to Ava." Erasmi stated.

Nora rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "You have a terrible sense of timing, you know that? It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."

Eras sighed, his expression unyielding. "Nora, I need to talk to Ava. It’s important."

Whatever it was that Nora saw in his eyes, seemed to give her an idea of his desperation. And she nodded," Just keep it quick, okay? I’ll ask everyone to come out..."

Erasmi shook his head," Just bring Ava to the other room there. No need to tell anyone..."

Nora nodded, but looked at him searchingly. "Erasmi? Is everything alright? Ava has also not been herself and you look... terrible."

Erasmi sighed," Something is wrong but I don’t know what. It is why I am here."

Nora nodded, concern etched on her face. "Alright, give me a moment."

Erasmi watched as she slipped back into the bridal suite, her expression immediately shifting to one of cheerfulness. He could hear her voice, though not her words, as she spoke to the others and quickly marched towards the small room, ready to wait for his bride.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Nora whispered Eras’ request to Isabella, letting her know to warn the other girls ebfore she approached Ava," Come on, miss beautiful bride. We have a little surprise for you."

"A surprise? Right now?"

Nora smile unwaveringly. "Yes, it’ll only take a minute. Trust me."

As Ava nodded,Nora intertwined her arm with hers and walked her out of the bridal suite. As they walked towards the smaller room, Nora asked," Ava, is everything okay between you and Erasmi?"

Ava smiled but tried to avoid the question instead asking," Nora, can you tell me about your mother?"

Nora stilled and shot her a look. "My mother? What do you want to know of her?"

"Was she really bad?"

Nora smiled," Bad? Well, when she was not trying to sell me off, or torturing me, or getting me eaten by ferocious dogs, or burn me, or generally have me killed, I guess she was okay. Why do you ask?"

Ava shook her head, her eyes searching Nora’s. She knew that Nora had married Demetro to escape her mother but never knew all the details. Could the woman really have been that cruel?

However, as much cruel as she was, was it justified what Erasmi did... If he did it.. As they reached the door, she asked Nora hurriedly, " And did Erasmi really kill her and your sister?"

As Nora turned to look at Ava in shock over the question, the door opened. Ava’s eyes widened as she looked at Erasmi who had heard the question...

Without another word, he pulled Ava into the room and turned to Nora," I’ll answer her questions. You go back to the guests."

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