Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love-Chapter 50: Seeing Her In Another Man’s Embrace

Jerica smiled at the familiar invitation, the warmth of her childhood memories flooding her heart. "I wouldn’t miss it for the world," she said, linking arms with Alex as they followed Mrs. Walsh toward the house.

There was something reassuring about Alex’s presence, a comforting familiarity that had been a constant in her life for as long as she could remember. He was the steady, unwavering force she could always count on, and in that moment, she felt grateful for his effortless ability to make her feel safe.

Once inside, the scent of Mrs. Walsh’s cooking wrapped around her like a cozy blanket, filling her with nostalgia. The smells of freshly baked bread, simmering stew, and herbs wafted through the house, bringing back memories of long summers spent in this very kitchen. The house itself felt alive, buzzing with the energy of shared history and laughter.

They sat for supper—although it was technically a second dinner, since Alex had a bottomless pit for a stomach and tended to get hungry late at night. Jerica couldn’t help but chuckle as Alex eagerly dug into his plate, his appetite seemingly insatiable. She too had her fill, and after the meal, she slumped back into the couch, rubbing her full belly.

"I’m so full..." she let out a deep breath, throwing Jared’s jacket, which had been draped over her shoulders, onto the couch beside her. The weight of the day and the tension between her and Jared felt like distant memories in this moment of contentment.

Alex, who sat beside her, leaned back with a grin. "You went to that fancy gala tonight, didn’t you?"

"Yes," Jerica sighed, still leaning back. "I don’t know what to do with it now..." she murmured, the weight of the evening finally catching up to her.

"Why don’t you ask your husband what he thinks?" Alex’s tone was casual, but the mention of Jared made Jerica’s heart tighten. Her smile faltered, and for a brief second, a shadow of sadness flickered in her eyes.

"I can. I will..." she muttered, but her voice lacked conviction. She turned her head, pretending to look at something else, and Alex, ever perceptive, picked up on her change in mood. He didn’t press further.

Instead, the silence that settled between them was comfortable, like two people who knew each other well enough not to need constant chatter.

Jerica closed her eyes, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to her. Mrs. Walsh, having finished tidying up, followed Mr. Walsh to bed. They had a habit of retiring early, leaving Alex and Jerica alone in the cozy warmth of the living room. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner was the only sound, rhythmic and soothing.

She felt Alex’s gaze on her, and when she opened her eyes, his piercing blue eyes were fixed on her, an odd incredulity softening his usual playful expression. "What?" she asked, raising her brows with a small smile.

Alex pressed his lips together, thinking deeply. There was a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes held something more—something unspoken. Jerica’s smile widened in response, her curiosity piqued. "What are you thinking?" she asked, leaning slightly toward him.

For a moment, Alex didn’t respond. His gaze remained steady, a mixture of fondness and something else she couldn’t quite place. Then, without a word, he extended his hand and pulled her into a tight hug. His arms wrapped around her, strong and comforting, and he kissed the top of her head as he always had.

"You have me, if you want anything, Puppy," he whispered into her hair.

Jerica blinked, surprised at the sudden seriousness in his tone. She looked up at him, meeting his eyes, and for the first time, she saw a fierceness there—a protective edge she hadn’t seen before. His usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced by an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. "I meant it when I said anything," he repeated, his voice low but resolute.

Her heart skipped a beat. There was something in the way he said it that unsettled her. Alex had always been her fun-loving, big-brother figure, always there to make her laugh, to cheer her up when she was down. But in this moment, he felt like something more—a guardian, someone who would do anything to protect her.

It was a little scary, and yet, in some strange way, it made her feel safer than she had in a long time.

Alex noticed her surprise and smiled softly, his usual lightheartedness returning. Jerica, still somewhat shaken, smiled back, this time more genuinely. His words meant the world to her.

Even though he couldn’t fix everything, just hearing them gave her a sense of security she hadn’t felt in ages. She closed her eyes again, this time feeling a warmth in her chest that hadn’t been there before. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep, nestled in Alex’s embrace.

Alex’s hand gently patted her head, his smile fading as he realized she was fast asleep. He glanced down at her wedding ring, his expression softening as a dull ache settled in his chest. "You’ve reverted..." he murmured, his voice barely audible in the quiet room.

Just as he was about to touch her hand, a shadow fell over him. He looked up to see Jared standing in front of him, his tall frame casting a long silhouette. Jared’s face was hard, his brown eyes sharp as they met Alex’s. There was an unspoken tension between the two men, one tha simmered just beneath the surface.

"My wife," Jared said, his voice calm but firm as he pointed at Jerica, still asleep.

Alex smiled, though the tension in the air was palpable. "Of course," he said, his tone polite as he gently removed his arm from around Jerica. Her head fell to the side, and before Alex could catch her, Jared was already there, his hand cradling her cheek with surprising tenderness.

"I’ll take it from here," Jared said with a nod, carefully lifting Jerica into his arms. Alex stood, stepping aside to let him take control.

Jared moved with practiced ease, carefully adjusting Jerica in his arms, as he’d done so many times before. Normally, once she fell asleep, she was out for hours, as immovable as stone. Yet tonight, as his hands slipped beneath her shoulders and around her waist, he felt her shift. A subtle tension rippled through her, her body responding with a slight twitch beneath his touch. He paused, uncertainty threading through him. Was she waking? He lingered, hesitant, watching her expression for any sign of consciousness.

Gently, he tried to read just his hold, but her brow furrowed and she stirred again, instinctively pulling back, as though his touch brought discomfort rather than comfort. A flicker of pain sparked in his chest, a dull ache that only grew with each beat of his heart. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

She had been sleeping so deeply, nestled in Alex’s arms, seemingly unbothered by his presence. But here she was, even in sleep, disturbed by his.

He found himself caught in an unfamiliar feeling—a hollow sensation, somewhere between regret and sorrow.