Husband With Benefits
Chapter 671: Never Let Go

Every month, Ava siphoned a small portion into her own account, while the rest went into Caius’ trust fund. She had never dared touch Cai’s money before, always prioritizing his future. But now, with Erasmi in the picture, Cai’s future seemed secure. So she need not feel guilty about using the money. It was millions of dollars! And she would give her more even if Hannah ran out. But she needed Hannah to go away!

She tried desperately to call Hannah again but the woman seemed to have blocked her number.

Giving up, Ava walked inside, ready to face whatever awaited her. To her surprise, the living room was filled with laughter. Erasmi and Cai were sitting on the floor, engrossed in a game of Jenga. The tension and questioning looks she had anticipated were nowhere to be found.

Erasmi looked up and smiled warmly. "Ava, you’re just in time! We were waiting for you to join us."

Before she could protest or question the sudden change in mood, Cai ran up to her, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, Mom! We need a third player. It’s no fun without you."

Ava hesitated, her mind still preoccupied with all the troubles. But the eager look on Cai’s face made it impossible fpr her to say no. She allowed herself to be pulled into the game, sitting down on the floor with them.

At first, she found it hard to concentrate. Her mind kept drifting back to Hannah and the looming threat she posed. But as the game progressed, Ava found herself getting drawn into the fun.

Cai was relentless, his small hands steady as he carefully removed a block and placed it on top of the precarious tower. "Your turn, Mom," he said, grinning widely.

Ava took a deep breath and focused, carefully sliding a block out and adding it to the top. The tower wobbled, and she held her breath, but it remained standing.

Erasmi clapped her hands in delight. "Now it’s my turn. Let me show you both how champions play!" As he boasted, Erasmi carefully pulled out the block but just as he was about to place the block on top, the tower collapsed, sending blocks tumbling everywhere. Cai let out a gleeful shout, as both him and Ava burst into laughter with Cai teasing," I think you meant to say how champions do not play, dad."

Erasmi, pretending to be deeply offended by Cai’s teasing, raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh, you think you’re funny, huh? Just for that, young man, I’m going to teach you a lesson you’ll never forget."

Cai’s eyes widened in horror as Erasmi lunged at him, fingers wiggling menacingly. "No, Dad! No!" Cai squealed, darting behind Ava for protection.

Ava laughed, enjoying the playful banter, even as Cai tried his best to use her as a shield. "I don’t know, Eras. I think you might have brought this on yourself. Who told you to boast about being a champion."

Cai peeked out from behind Ava, his giggles barely contained as he said," See dad! Mom is on my side..’ Erasmi gave a wolfish grin at that and slowly advanced, as he threatened," You think that would be helpful?"

Caius widened his eyes and clutched at her clothing," Mom, help! He’s going to tickle me to death!"

Erasmi’s his grin widened. "Oh, I’m not stopping at you, Cai. If your mom keeps teasing me, she’s next!"

Ava’s laughter rang out as she held up her hands in surrender, even before Eras reached her. "Alright, alright! I surrender! Just spare me from the tickling!"

Erasmi stopped in his tracks, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Spare you? Well, I don’t think so... but I can spare.. Cai, if he..."

As expected, his son quickly caught on and before Ava knew it, she was being tickled from both sides as she fell backward laughing trying to evade the ticklish fingers of father and son.

Finally, breathless from being tickled, Ava called for a time out and swore,"Okay okay! I give up! I won’t tease you ever again."

"Alright, you’re off the hook," Erasmi said, his voice mock serious. Then he turned to Cai, who was sitting beside Ava having lowered his guard... "But you, young man, are still in trouble!"

Cai squealed again and tried to dart away, but was quickly caught and as he called for help, Ava grinned,"Ha! This is what happens when you tease your mom and side with your dad!"

Finally, Caius was scooped up and tickled mercilessly his high pitched giggles filling the room. Cai’s laughter was infectious, and Ava found herself laughing along with them, feeling a sense of warmth and love that chased away her earlier worries.

"Okay, okay! I give up!" Cai managed to gasp between giggles. "I won’t tease you again!"

Erasmi finally relented, setting Cai down and ruffling his hair. "That’s more like it."

As they all collapsed onto the floor, breathless and happy, Ava looked at Erasmi and Cai, feeling her heart swelling with gratitude for them being in her life. They were like ths sunshine in her dark and gloomy sky.

As they lay there, catching their breath, Erasmi reached out and took Ava’s hand. She looked down at their co joined hands and then at him as he lay there, looking at her with a smile on his face. She smiled back at him, feeling her heart flutter at the look as she realized that this man was her husband. He was the prince to her otherwise dreary fairytale...she curled her fingers around his hand and sighed. She wished she never had to let go of him.

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