Husband With Benefits-Chapter 874: What?

She walked out of the washroom, and all he could do was stare, trying to read her expression. But her face gave away nothing—it was utterly blank. What was he supposed to make of that? Was she happy? He highly doubted it. Was she angry, sad, or confused? Nope. Nothing. Just a perfect poker face.

"Are you okay?" he ventured cautiously.

She looked at him, her lips curling into a sarcastic smirk. "What could possibly happen to me after peeing?" she replied, her tone dripping with mockery.

He winced. Okay, so sarcasm was her coping mechanism. Noted.

Still, he pressed on, his nerves barely holding. "Is it... good news?"

Rafe couldn’t help but smile then, a cautious but genuine curve of his lips as she nodded her heas. "It is, right? That’s great! I mean, I know this whole thing must’ve been unexpected for you—an unplanned pregnancy and all—but listen, I can support you. Whatever you decide, I’m here. And, well, we’d probably need to get married before the baby’s born, but that’s okay. We’d figure it all out—"

"Rafe."

Her voice, sharp and cutting, brought his rambling to an abrupt halt. Arabelle stared at him, her expression still unreadable. Then, shaking her head slightly, she interrupted him. "It’s good news because I’m not pregnant. The test was negative."

For a moment, silence engulfed the room.

"You’re... not pregnant?" Rafe finally repeated, his brows furrowing as if trying to make sense of the words. "You’re sure? Could it be that the test is faulty?"

Arabelle let out a small, incredulous laugh, but it wasn’t amused. She crossed her arms, fixing him with a stare as he moved toward the washroom, his intent all too clear.

"Wait, where are you going?" she demanded, stepping in front of him.

"I just want to check," he said, his voice earnest, as though inspecting the test himself might somehow change the outcome.

She planted herself firmly in his way, her eyes narrowing. "What is wrong with you?" she snapped. "Are you seriously upset that I’m not pregnant? You’re disappointed? Really? You’d be stuck with me—a stranger—for a lifetime. And you were already planning a wedding? Are you out of your mind?"

Rafe stopped in his tracks, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"Well..." he began tentatively, scratching the back of his neck, "...I wouldn’t exactly call it being stuck. And we’re not really strangers anymore, are we?"

Her eyes widened, disbelief and exasperation flickering across her face. "Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath.

He winced again, realizing that maybe he hadn’t chosen his words particularly well.

"I just meant..." he started, but her raised hand silenced him. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"Don’t," she said, shaking her head. "Just... don’t. Trust me, you do not want to be entangled with me. Now, since we are done with this entire anxiety inducing thing, I think it is time for you to leave."

Rafe gulped, his throat tightening at her blunt dismissal. Oops. He’d almost forgotten that the potential pregnancy had been his only real excuse to stick close to her, at least for now.

"Well, since the anxiety thing is over," he began, forcing a casual grin, "how about we start over? A clean slate. What do you think?"

Arabelle arched a brow, her skepticism clear as day. "I think you need to get your head checked."

Rafe’s grin widened. "Perfect. Let’s go, then."

Her frown deepened, her arms crossing defensively. "Go where? If you think I’m going out on a date with you, you’re—"

"I meant let’s go and get my head tested," he interrupted smoothly.

She stared at him for a moment, her expression caught between disbelief and reluctant amusement. Finally, a grin broke across her face, softening her features. No wonder this guy was friends with Cai. Ugh. He was just as insufferable—and, unfortunately, just as endearing. Unable to stop herself, she shook her head and collapsed onto the couch, her exasperation giving way to a small chuckle.

"Trust me, Your Highness," she said, gesturing vaguely in his direction, "when you get to know me better, you’ll be relieved we never went out on any real dates."

Rafe tilted his head, feigning offense. "Hey, who said we haven’t gone out on a date?"

"Oh, really?" Arabelle shot back, rolling her eyes. "What are you saying now? Did you take me on imaginary dates without my consent?"

He smirked, leaning back against the armrest like he had all the time in the world. "Actually, we did have a date. That almost-dinner we had the other night? Totally counts. I’m declaring it our official blind date, thank you very much."

She snorted, shaking her head. "Your definition of a date is... wow. Truly inspiring. Getting almost murdered qualifies as a good date? Man, I think Cai needs to crack open your head and double-check if there’s a functioning brain in there."

Rafe burst out laughing.

Without a second thought, he stood and walked over, plopping himself down on the couch right next to her.

"Hey!" Arabelle exclaimed, her eyes narrowing as she scooted an inch away. "There are literally a dozen other empty spots in this room. Why are you sticking to me?"

"I like this spot," Rafe replied shamelessly, grinning as he settled in comfortably, throwing his arm over the back of the couch.

Arabelle started to shift further away, intent on creating some distance, but Rafe was faster. He reached out, catching her hand gently, and before she could protest, he brought it to his lips.

Her breath hitched, her mind momentarily blank as she stared at him. "What... what are you doing?"

"What does it look like I am doing, Arabelle?"

Arabelle blinked," Well, it looks suspiciously like you are trying to seduce me."

"Well, you are a smart girl. Now..."

"There is a problem though...." Arabelle interrupted him and he frowned as he looked at her. Something was wrong with her. And he had the answer in the next minute, when she sent a glassy look his way and announced," I think I’m going to faint..." And after that announcement, she did exactle that."