Husband With Benefits
Chapter 723: Confession

Chapter 723: Confession

"Are you going to say anything, or do I have to keep staring at you?" Dora’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tense silence between them as they sat opposite each other in the coffee shop. Their first ever ’public’ date. And she could not wait to get away from him already.

Kael shook his head at the irony of it and arched an eyebrow, "Me? I’m supposed to say something. Shouldn’t it be you?"

Dora shrugged. "Why would I need to talk? You are the one who was stopping me, getting in my way and asking to talk. So...I assumed you had something to say. If you’re waiting for me to talk then we have nothing to say to each other. Bye then."

Kael breathed in sharply, "Who is he, Dora?"

Dora glanced around as if expecting the person in question to materialise here, and feigning ignorance, casually shrugged. "Who is who?"

Kael slammed his hand on the table, his patience snapping. "You know exactly who I’m talking about! The man who tied your shoelaces just now like you’re some sort of princess!"

"You’ve got memory loss, Kael? Maybe you should get that checked. The emcee introduced him that night at the celebration, remember? Caius Frost?"

"I know who he is! What I want to know is what relation he has with you? Why, when you were confessing to me did you call out his name. You ran to him as if he was your lover! What is he to you?"

"How does it matter to you if he was my lover or not! And confess to you? Who do you think you are? Why would I confess to you? Did you really think I might have fallen for you? We had some fun here and there but that is all. It does not equal undying love."

Kael’s face flushed with anger, his hands balling into fists on the table. "Why does it matter to me? Because you made it matter! Because you matter. You led me to believe—"

Dora cut him off, her voice cold, "Led you to believe what, Kael? That I actually had feelings for you?" She leaned back in her chair, a smirk playing on her lips. "You were the one who assumed, who jumped to conclusions, who pushed me and tried to emotionally manipulate me. I never promised you anything. In fact, I repeatedly tried to avoid this... So, do not blame me for this."

Kael’s eyes narrowed. "You think this is a joke, don’t you? Playing with people’s feelings just because you can. You are in a relationship with that Caius Frost and that is why you insisted on not going out on dates! So that he wouldn’t discover your treachery!"

Dora’s smirk vanished, replaced by a look of mild disgust. "Feelings? Is that what you’re calling it? You don’t care about me or anyone else. As for my not wanting to go out on dates, then I’d rather not be seen with you! And you need to remember you were just trying to win some twisted bet with Kit! Well, guess what, Kael? I found out about your little plan to humiliate me. I know all about it. And I chose not to let you win the bet."

Kael’s expression faltered for a moment and Dora’s heart ached. Despite everything, there had been a flicker of hope inside her that he would deny the charge of the bet.

She stood up, pushing her chair back with a deliberate slowness, "Sorry you lost your bet, but here’s a tip: next time, try being a decent human being instead of playing games. And then talk about feelings. Also, I’d appreciate it if you backed off from now on. We’re done. And just so you know, I actually do love Cai. Always have. So, you have no chance."

Dora grabbed her purse and glanced down at the untouched cup of coffee in front of her "Oh, and you can pay the bill. Enjoy."

Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out of the cafe, leaving Kael sitting there, seething.

Kael watched Dora walk away, her words stinging far more than he’d anticipated. She loved Cai?Impossible. He refused to believe it! And yet, despite her claim that she did not feel anything for him, he found hope! She’d discovered about the bet. He didn’t know how and when. But maybe that bet was the reason that she had chosen to back off in that moment. Because of the bed, she had stood there but went to Cai. He needed to stop her and confirm this. He couldn’t just let her go—not like this. Not until he knew for sure that she was not with Cai.

Without thinking, he jumped up from the table, throwing a few bills down to cover the coffee, and bolted out of the cafe. His eyes scanned the street, catching sight of Dora as she turned a corner.

Kael picked up his pace, his footsteps quickening as he closed the distance between them. When he was close enough, he reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her into a nearby alleyway, away from the prying eyes of passersbys.

"Kael, what the hell—" Dora’s protest was cut short as he spun her around to face him, caging her between the wall and his own body.

"I’m not done talking yet," Kael said, his voice low and intense. He looked down at her, his eyes searching hers, desperate to find something—anything—that would make sense. Just the other night, they’d been like this, in a similar position, their hearts beating wildly as they’d closed the distance between them.

Dora glared up at him, trying to yank her arm free, but he held her fast. "What more is there to say? I’ve heard enough of your lies. I have no interest in you, Kael Ignis!"

Kael’s jaw tightened, "Lies? You think this is all just lies? You think I don’t feel anything? That I’m some heartless bastard who just wanted to win a stupid bet? And what did you say? That you have no interest in me. Let us put that to test, don’t we?"

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l