Husband With Benefits
Chapter 688: Erasmi’s choice

Chapter 688: Erasmi’s choice

Ava was in shock, and she knew it. How else could she explain the strange detachment that had settled over her, turning the chaos around her into something distant and surreal? It felt like a daydream—a distorted, slow-motion nightmare she couldn’t quite wake up from. She blinked, trying to make sense of it all, her eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before her.

Hannah was being dragged away by the police. Ava had expected many things when she challenged Hannah, a screaming match or possibly even a violent fight, to reveal the secrets that had hung like a dark cloud over them. But this? This was beyond anything she could have imagined.

The police had burst in at the crucial moment, cutting off Hannah’s venomous tirade mid-sentence. They’d read her rights, their voices cold and authoritative, while she thrashed and screamed, her threats echoing long after she was shoved into the back of the police car for scamming a lot of people. They’d even said something about it being a federal offense...

The sudden silence that followed when the police left was deafening. Ava’s breath hitched as she took in the empty space where Hannah had been moments before, the air still thick with the tension. So, the truth had not been revealed again...

Her gaze drifted to Demetri, who stood nearby, the file Hannah had shoved into his hands hanging limply at his side. Ava felt a tremor pass through her and she gulped, trying to think of words that might be able to explain everything. This was even worst than she could imagined

Her legs gave out beneath her, and she sank to her knees. She was utterly lost, unsure of what to do or how to move forward. Was she supposed to go take that file and hide everything? If Hannah had revelaed everything maybe she could have found some courage in the heat of the moment. But now...

Demetri and Erasmi exchanged a glance. Without a word, Demetri placed the unopened file on the table. Taking Nora’s hand in his, he turned to leave, pulling her gently but firmly away from the scene when she would have gone to console and talk to Ava. Even as they waled away, Ava could hear Nora’s murmuring protests...

She gave a bitter smile then. She was all aone again. Buy maybe it was for the better... just then, a hand appeared in front of her. She looked up slowly and realized that Erasmi had not walked away... She looked up at him, her vision blurring slightly as she met his gaze, wondering what to do next.

But she shook her head. She wanted to take his hand and try and stand up. But the truth was that everything was too raw for her right now. She couldn’t handle anything right now...

Seeing her unwilling to take his hand, he didn’t push. Instead he caught her shoulders and firmly pulled her upwards until she was on her feet and guided her to the couch. Once there, he sat down and quickly tugged her into his lap, wrapping her in a hug.

The tears came suddenly, without warning. He pressed her close to him and she buried her face into his chest, trying to hold back, but it was no use.

"I’m so sorry, Ava," Erasmi whispered.

Erasmi sighed as she only cried harder and felt the regret deeper. Over her head, he glared at the file that Demetri had placed on the table. If he’d known that digging up the past would hurt Ava this much, he would have simply buried it deeper instead of causing her more pain. And when he felt her continue to sob, he could not help himself," Ava.Please. I really am sorry! I just... I know this is not an excuse, but I was genuinely worried. Okay. I’m sorry I made you worry and cry."

Ava’s sobs only grew stronger as Erasmi’s words sank in. She clung to him tighter, her fingers digging into his shirt as she buried her face deeper into his chest. The guilt and shame that had been festering inside her for so long finally spilled out, overwhelming her.

"I’m sorry," she choked out between sobs. "I’m the one who should be sorry. I’ve been hiding so much, keeping things from you... I’ve messed everything up. We—we should just... maybe we should get a divorce."

Erasmi’s arms tightened around her at that. He shook his head and scoffed, "Divorce? Really, Ava? You think you can get rid of me that easily?" He pulled back just enough to look at her, and so that she could look into his eyes. "You don’t get to use the whole ’it’s not you, it’s me’ line and think I’ll just walk away. We’re in this together, no matter what. So, no more talking of divorce, okay?"

Ava tried to speak, but the lump in her throat made it impossible. She could only shake her head, tears streaming down her face as she looked at him and then at the file," You need to take a look at the past first. And then you get to decide. Don’t worry. I won’t hold it against you when you decide to leave... I... I have just one request, Erasmi... Let me be a part of Caius’ life..."

He glanced at the file on the table, then back at Ava, his eyes searching hers as if trying to see what it was that tortured her so much. Without saying anything, he gently placed her on the couch and walked to pick up the file.

Ava’s heart pounded as she watched him, dread curling in her stomach. She couldn’t bear to see the look on his face when he finally learned everything. She looked away, her fingers twisting together as she braced herself for the inevitable. This was it. The moment that would change everything.

Erasmi reached for the file, his hand hovering over it for a brief moment before he picked it up.

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