Husband With Benefits-Chapter 604: Bad News

When Gabe fell asleep with Autumn nestled in his arms, he didn’t anticipate waking up to this unusual sight. He blinked, but the view didn’t change. Her feet were near his face where her head had been and he was holding onto her legs... She had pretty legs as well...so soft... and it was fortunate he didn’t have a foot fetish. He wondered how she had ended up in such a position. Carefully lifting his head, he saw her peacefully sleeping face resting on his legs.

Gabe couldn’t help but smile at the absurdity of it. This was a first for him. Then, an idea sparked in his mind. With a mischievous grin, he reached out and gently tickled the sole of her foot. She stirred and shifted her foot. So, he tickled again... Still half-asleep, she tried to kick him away, mumbling incoherently. Gabe caught her ankle with ease and, before she could react, he playfully nipped at her calf.

This time the reaction was instant as her leg jerked, alomost hitting him on the nose and as her eyes snapped open and she sat up abruptly, wide-eyed and bewildered. She blinked carefully, taking in the scene and questioned," What are you doing down there?"

"Me? Look around, baby, it’s you who is down there..."

He watched as her mouth rounded in an ’o’ and quickly tugged at her wrist, "Come here. I think someone needs a wake up kiss," he said, leaning in.

Autumn giggled at this and pushed at his bare in protest, "Gabe, no. I have’t..."

Before she could say anything, his lips were already softly pressing against hers. She melted then, her fingers clenching on his chest instead of pushing him away...

Suddenly, there was a ringing in her ears. She frowned. Why were her ears ringing? Was she sick or was it because of this powerful kiss? But then, Gabe broke the kiss with a groan and cursed as he leaned over her and picked up his phone. It took her a moment.. It wasn’t her ears that were ringing... but the phone.

Just as she was distracted with her thoughts, Gabe’s hand caught her wrist and he threatened," If you keep doing that, I cannot answer the phone..."

She frowned and looked down... before trying to jerk her hand back! Why were her fingers playign with his nip*les. But her hand was still in his and he did not let go. Before she could struggle, Gabe answered the phone," Lucy. You je*k! Can’t you let a person sleep..."

Autumn’s eyes widened. Lucy? As in Lucien, right? He was supposed to have checked the USB for them...

Before she could say more, Gabe let out a litany of curses and then paused. Autumn tried to strain and listen what was being said but felt her heartbeat restlessly as she looked at the grave look on Gabe’s face.

Gabe sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead. "Alright, tell me exactly what happened," he said, his tone serious. He listened for a moment, then spoke again. "So, you’re saying the USB is corrupted? How bad is it?"

Autumn’s heart sank. Corrupted? She bit her lip, anxiety bubbling up inside her.

Gabe continued listening, his expression growing darker. "I see. So, the data is partially accessible, but the most crucial parts are severely damaged. And you’re saying it will take at least a few more days to try and recover anything useful, if at all?"

He closed his eyes briefly, clearly frustrated. "Alright, keep me updated on any progress. Thanks, Lucy." He ended the call and looked at Autumn, who was watching him with wide, concerned eyes.

"What’s going on?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, even though she had heard everything. And yet, she wished he would deny everything. Maybe this was a nightmare because these past few days had been like a dream...

"There’s a message from your mother on the pendrive. Lucy is going to share it with us. But other than that, whatever it is...it is going to take time..."

"Enough time that we will not be able to present it in court?" Autumn asked softly.

Gabe sighed and nodded...

"Then, is Arabelle in danger? Can we run away? I.... Gabe, I never would have been able to escape Gregory with Arabelle.. but you can. Can’t we take Arabelle and go somewhere? Where she would be safe? I don’t want her to be like me, scared to even talk to any man or... It took me a long time to even..."

Gabe pulled her close, cupping her face in his hands. "Autumn, look at me. Running away is not an option. Believe me, I’ve tried that in the past. The bad only becomes stronger. We can’t let Gregory win like that. Taking Arabelle away would only help strengthen his case, and Arabelle deserves better than a life on the run, constantly looking over her shoulder."

"But what if we lose the case?" she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

"We won’t lose," he said firmly. "I know it’s hard to believe right now, especially with this setback, but we’ve come too far to give up. Lucy is the best, and if anyone can recover that data, it’s him. And even without it, we have other ways to prove that he is not suitable."

"I know you’re scared, Autumn," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "But I need you to trust me. We will win this case, and Arabelle will be safe. Gregory won’t hurt you ever again."

Autumn nodded and closed her eyes. She didn’t know what the future held, but the thought of losing her sister was not something she was willing to accept. Just then, she heard the beep of a message on Gabe’s phone and watched as he opened it.

It was the file that Lucy had extracted. And soon her mother appeared on the screen, as she spoke swiftly," Autumn, I sincerely hope that you never have to use this video or even see it. But if you’ve found it, and need to use it, then do it without hesitation. Be strong my girl.. I am sorry that I did not..."

And then the screen went blank...