Husband With Benefits-Chapter 853: Unexpected

Chapter 853: Unexpected

The moment Cai stepped into the chaos that was his family home, the sheer volume of voices and laughter hit him like a wall. He paused wondering where he should look for her. the way Kael had been taken aside for interrogation, if she was going to be subjected to something similar.

What he didn’t expect was the scene that unfolded before him.

In the middle of the living room, Lily stood there cradling little Aranya 1in her arms, her soft voice humming a tune as she kissed the baby’s head. The sight made him pause mid-step.

For a moment, he simply stared, blinking as if his mind couldn’t process what he was seeing. A strange thought lodged itself in his brain, one so ridiculous he almost laughed at himself. Baby fever. That was a thing, right? But wasn’t it something women usually got? How in the world had he, a grown man, fallen prey to it?

Because that’s exactly what it felt like. Seeing Lily, glowing with a maternal warmth he didn’t even know she had, holding his little cousin like she was the most precious thing in the world, sent his heart somersaulting in his chest. Or maybe it was lower in his stomach, a sensation he refused to call ’butterflies’. He wasn’t the kind of guy that got butterflies. But whatever it was, it made him feel a little unhinged.

And then she looked up.

Her gaze caught his, and her lips curved into a soft, serene smile that nearly knocked the breath out of him and caught him off guard. It was something gentler, something that made his chest tighten in ways he wasn’t prepared for.

She held that smile for a heartbeat before turning back to Aranya, resuming making odd expression to coax a smile out of her.

Cai felt faint. Legitimately faint.

And then, just as he was gathering his scrambled thoughts, Uncle Lucien’s heavy hand clapped down on his shoulder, jolting him out of his daze. The sudden force nearly sent him stumbling forward.

"Alright, kiddo," Lucien said, his voice rich with amusement as he gave Cai a knowing look. "Get rid of that expression. She’s too young for all that."

Cai blinked, his mouth opening and closing like a fish as he struggled to form words. "What expression?" he finally managed, his voice slightly higher-pitched than he intended.

Lucy chuckled, his grin widening. "The one that says you’re two seconds away from going full caveman. You know, tying her to the hearth and home, intent on making babies."

Heat rushed to Cai’s face, and he turned sharply to glare at his uncle, though the redness in his ears betrayed him. "I have no idea what you’re talking about," he muttered, but the words sounded weak even to his own ears.

Lucien just laughed, clapping him on the back again. At least, this time he didn’t almost fall over. "Sure you don’t, kid. Sure you don’t."

Yep. He was in more trouble than he had expected. However, Uncle Lucien was not done with him yet.

He leaned closer. "So, what’s the plan, Romeo? You gonna serenade her next? Maybe bust out a guitar and write her a love song?"

Cai shot him a flat look. "I don’t even own a guitar."

"Oh, right. You’re more the grand gesture type. What’s it gonna be—a skywriting proposal? Or are you going to drag her out to a field of flowers and confess under a meteor shower and amidst a swarm of bees?"

"Are you done?" Cai asked, deadpan, though he knew he’d already thought of those things for something to do... but far off in the future.

"Not even close," Lucien said cheerfully, crossing his arms as if settling in for the long haul. "You’re practically radiating ’sappy romance protagonist’ energy right now, kid. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already picked out her wedding ring in your head."

Cai groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You’re impossible."

"I’m fun," Lucien corrected, clapping him on the back again. "And you? You’re whipped. Admit it."

"I’m not—" Cai started, but Lucien cut him off with a raised hand.

"Don’t even try to deny it. You’re standing here with that stupid look on your face, staring at her like she’s the sun and you’re a sad little planet in her orbit."

Cai sputtered, trying to come up with a retort, but Lucien didn’t give him a chance. "You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look this dumb over a girl," Lucien added with a mock wondering look. "Usually, you’ve got that whole ’can’t be bothered; thing going on. But her? She’s got you looking like a lovesick puppy."

"Can we talk about literally anything else?" Cai muttered, but there was no real heat in his voice.

Lucien grinned. "Sure thing, kiddo. Let’s talk about how you’re going to help her adapt to the family. Oh, wait. You don’t have to—because she’s already introduced herself. And you’re just standing here gawking while she’s over there charming everyone without even trying."

Cai glanced toward Lily, who was now laughing at something his Mom was saying while Aranya was still nestled contentedly in her arms, her tiny hand gripping Lily’s finger.

Lucien’s voice broke through his thoughts. "You’re lucky, you little rascal. You’ve got a keeper so soon. And from the way she’s fitting in, you seem to already know it.

Cai frowned, his gaze shifting back to Lucien. "How can you tell? You’ve barely spent any time with her."

Lucien just shook his head, his grin softening into something more sincere. "Look around, kid. She’s already one of us. And from the way you’re looking at her, she’s already yours too."

Cai blinked as Uncle Lucien finally walked off. But he made no move to go to her. In the few minutes, it had taken to handle the kids and follow Lily into the home, she had somehow fitted into his family... How was something like that even possible?

Originally her name is spelt Ouranaya but I made it Aranya here because that is how it is pronounced :D