Husband With Benefits-Chapter 556: Right Hook

Autumn stared in the mirror at herself as she straightened her clothes . A week. Only a week had passed and yet so much had changed. She’d gone from almost marrying Pierce and being thrown behind the bars for ’illegally detaining Arabelle’ by that man’s schemes to being married to Gabriel Frost, getting rid of the criminal law suit and being promoted to being the night manager of the resort. It almost seemed like a dream that she did not want to wake up from.

Gabriel Frost was an enigma, that was for sure. She’d thought that it would be difficult to live with a man. But Gabriel Frost made it seem... effortless. He’d somehow seamlessly blended himself into the house and the routine. Most days, by the time she returned home from the night shift, he would have prepared breakfast for her and Arabelle and be ready to leave for the day.

And when he returned in the evening, he would make it a point to spend it playing with Arabelle, until it was time for them to leave. She could hardly believe that she was considering leaving Arabelle in his care in her absence instead of bringing her to the resort to hand her over to Mrs Norman. This ease with which he had secured her trust somewhat scared her. So, she reminded herself that she needed to be extra careful.

But she could understand why he had been assigned to bring this resort out of the flunk. That man and his assistant worked like a machine. The changes they had brought about in ten days... she would have deemed them impossible in ten weeks! The renovations were going on in a flurry. Employee dues had been cleared. Old employees had already been summoned back and offered their jobs at better rates and were being prepared to be sent for training. His arrival seemed to have brought the entire B-town back to life.

And her life, back on track. Suddenly she seemed to feel as if this was the end of the dark endless road that she had been treading. It almost seemed magical..

Shaking her head at her own fantastical thoughts, she stepped out of the changing room, her uniform in her hand. Her first night as a manager had been perfect with no problems. Of course, there wouldn’t be any problems because more than half the resort was closed for the general public.. but even so.. it was a success.

But just as she turned the corner to head towards the staff lounge, her smile faded at the sight of a familiar figure standing in the hallway.

Pierce.

Her ex-fiancé was leaning casually against the wall, his sharp features softened by an uncharacteristic look of regret. Autumn’s heart sank, and she instinctively tightened her grip on her uniform, the fabric creasing under her fingers.

"Autumn," Pierce called out, his voice hesitant, lacking its usual confidence. "Can we talk?" frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Autumn stiffened, her body language defensive. "There’s nothing to talk about, Pierce. We’ve already made things clear," she replied curtly.

"Look, I understand that was foolish of me to give you that proposal. I shouldn’t have hurt you like that."

"You shouldn’t have hurt me for a lot of things, Pierce. And your proposition was not just hurtful, it was downright insulting! This is what you think of me?"

"No! That is not true! And you know it. Have I ever treated you unfairly? I’ve always accepted your wishes, even when you were uncomfortable with taking things further, I stopped, no matter how much I ached. Can’t you forgive me this one small thing?"

"Fine. I forgive you. Now, can you leave?" Autumn answered sharply.

"No! I know you don’t mean that! Look, I am sorry for everything! Just give me some time and I will make it upto you? I got scared okay? A small child is a big responsibility. And I was unsure about it. That was why they manipulated me..."

She shook her head. It was typical Pierce. Always blaming others. Never taking responsibility. It reminded her of the time when she had told Uncle Norman. How surprised he had been about Pierce wanting to marry. What a fool she had been to think Pierce’s love for her was stronger than everything. "It’s too late for everything, Pierce. I’ve moved on. I have a new life now, and you have no place in it. So please just stop pestering me."

Pierce’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he rolled them in a condescending manner. "Moved on? To what, Autumn? A pathetic little job as a night manager and a sham of a marriage to some stranger? Do you really think Gabriel Frost cares about you or Arabelle? He’s just using you to get what he wants."

"Gabriel has done more for me and Arabelle in a week than you did in all the time we were together. He’s a better man than you’ll ever be. At least he doesn’t run away from responsibility."

Pierce rolled his eyes again. "He is probably hankering for your property. Did you know that he was looking for a house in this place before he caught you in his web."

"I don’t care, Pierce. Isn’t that what your mother wanted from me as well? What matters to me is that he was there for me when I needed him while you were not. So, you of all people, don’t have the right to give me your opinion."

Pierce scoffed and rolled his eyes again, muttering about how she was naive.

Her anger flaring, Autumn flicked her hair back and commented," Keep rolling your eyes, Pierce. Maybe you’ll find your brain at the back of your head!"

As the insult registered, Pierce’s face froze in a comically exaggerated expression, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open as if he’d been slapped. The absurdity of his stunned look almost made Autumn laugh, but she maintained her composure and turned around to walk away.