Husband With Benefits
Chapter 716: Humiliation

Chapter 716: Humiliation

Kael turned around, haedening his heart. It didn’t matter. It was only a matter of tonight. Dora was strong and could endure this. Let Kit win this time and feel satisfied. Tomorrow, he would convince Dora to be his again.

Even as Kael assured himself that Dora was his and they would be over this tomorrow, something inside him clenched. His eyes met Dora’s, even across the distance of a room, he could see that she knew his intentions now. His eyes hardened at the vulnerability there. He could not show her regret. No. He raised his chin and gave her a look, as if blaming her for her own foolishness.

The whispers around the room seemed to get louder by the second as everyone waited with bated breath. Was she really confessing to Prince Kael Ignis? Suddenly, the whispers grew louder, a buzz of excitement and malice rippling through the crowd as they sensed blood in the water.

"Well, this is certainly a bold move," someone whispered while their companion snickered," Do you think she actually believes she stands a chance with him? The poor dear must be delusional."

Another one, a man with a sneering smile, chuckled darkly. "Or desperate. Either way, this is going to be quite the spectacle. Just because he played a game with her, she seems to think that she can confess."

"Is she really going to do it and continue standing there?" another voice whispered, this one laced with disbelief and amusement. "She’s going to make a fool of herself in front of everyone. How pathetic."

Kael clenched his jaw, forcing himself to remain still. This was necessary. But, he realized with a jolt. Why was she only standing there. Why had she stopped her confession? He frowned. She hadn’t even taken his name and...

Even though barely a minute had passed, but to him it felt like ages. He didn’t want her to confess. He wanted her to spare herself the humiliation. But a part of him suddenly wanted her to say the words. He needed to hear them..

***

Dora took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the realization hit her like a cold wave. She had been betrayed. Kael’s hardened gaze, the whispers echoing through the room—everything suddenly made sense. He was letting this happen. No. He wanted it to happen. Everything that the message had said was true.

Her heart clenched, but she refused to let the pain show. Not here. Not now.

The knowledge cut deep, but she swallowed it down, forcing herself to stay composed.

Seeing her hesitation, the emcee stepped forward, his voice filled with an almost gleeful anticipation. "It seems our lovely Dora has something important to say. Please, do share with us. Come on everyone cheer for Dora!"

For a moment, she remained still, her heart pounding in her chest, letting everont cheer. What a hoax! They were all cheering her because they wanted to watch a good show. Her eyes narrowed and a breathtaking smile appeared over her lips as she looked into his eyes.

And then, deliberately, she turned her gaze away from Kael, severing the connection between them. Without another word, she stepped down from the podium, her movements graceful and sure. The crowd parted for her, a mix of confusion and curiosity washing over them.

"I think," Dora said, her voice clear and strong as she walked, "that I’m going to go to that person as soon as I say the words, so I might as well get off the stage."

***

As he watched her walk towards him, his heart pounded. He could see it in her eyes that she knew everything and yet, she was walking towards him. Was she still going to?

And then she stopped, a few steps away.He could feel the tension in the air, a tight coil that threatened to snap at any moment.

She was going to do it. She was going to confess. Then she spoke, and her words struck him like a blow to the chest.

"I like you, Cai. I missed you so much. Welcome back."

He frowned and shook his head. She had mispronounced his name? And what did she mean by welcome back... And then, as he watched her cover the distance between them, his body went rigid. He must have misheard. His heart raced as she drew closer, and he found himself almost ready to spread his arms, to pull her into him, to tell her that he did like her.

Before he could react, however, Dora’s pace quickened, and with a burst of speed, she all but ran the remaining steps. But she didn’t run into his arms.

In fact, she bypassed him entirely, her eyes never once meeting his. He turned around sharply to see a man standing right behind him and watched as Dora jumped into his embrace and the man caught her. He heard the whispered words," Dora! I had no idea you missed me so much. You’re trembling all over, baby."

Dora’s voice, soft but clear, reached his ears. "Cai, take me home, please."

Kael’s chest tightened with a suffocating mix of anger and confusion. He had been so certain that Dora was walking toward him, that she was going to confess to him. But now, she was trembling in another man’s embrace. Who was this? His eyes narrowed as he met the man’s gaze over Dora.

As Dora continued to hug the man, the emcee’s broke out in a loud cheer, encouraging the others," Well. This is what we call a surprise and the best welcome! Everyone, welcome Caius Frost!"

Loud cheers ehoed through the entire hall while Kael frowned. Caius Frost? Who was this person?

His question was answered by the emcee," For all of you who have been living under a rock, Caius Frost is one of our most distinguished alumni with several awards to his name and serveral legendary strories, yes girls you remember his nickname, I’m sure...Give it up for the Steamy Frost... Doctor Caius Frost!

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