Husband With Benefits-Chapter 830: Unbelievable

What kind of smear campaign is this?" Cai muttered, his eyes narrowing as he scrolled through the reports and links that had been forwarded countless times on social media. He’d always had a distaste for these platforms, even though his dad knew how to navigate them. People seemed to forward anything without a second thought, never caring if it was true. And now, an old photo of him leaving a club with three different women had resurfaced, shared alongside a supposed "list" of all the women he’d been involved with. This was absurd! It wasn’t like he was married or had ever claimed he was living some saintly life.

What really hit a nerve, though, was how his own words about Jasmine—words he’d spoken from the heart—had been twisted into some tasteless meme. The quotes made him sound like a hypocrite, pretending to be honorable while living like a player. All he’d ever said was that "Jasmine will always hold a part of my heart" and that "her death impacted me deeply." He’d spoken honestly about how losing her had left scars on him and had even shared that it was "one of the reasons I chose this career path." One of the reasons dam* it! He had also mentioned Erasmi Frost. But they were not talking about that, were they and had conveniently forgotten him.

"While your expression of anger is fascinating, I have to admit—I’m curious about something," Rafe remarked, his gaze steady as he observed Cai. The hint of amusement playing on his face was unmistakable, and Cai couldn’t help but bristle at it.

"What?" Cai shot back, his irritation clear. "Are you asking who’s targeting me? Who I supposedly offended this time?"

Rafe chuckled, shaking his head. "Nope. I’m sure we’ll figure that out soon enough. If you’d known exactly who was after you, you wouldn’t be here brooding—you’d already be on your way to settle things. What I’m actually curious about is this ’list’." Rafe leaned in, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Have you really slept with that many women, Cai?"

Cai snorted, rolling his eyes. Typical. No wonder Rafe and Dora got along so well—they both had a talent for fixating on all the wrong details. Maybe being next in line for a crown did something to a person’s head. "Not even close," he replied dryly. "A few names on that list, sure, but most of those women are just acquaintances or friends. Nothing like what they’re suggesting."

Rafe sighed in mock disappointment, shaking his head slowly. "How utterly underwhelming. If only it were true; then at least all this scandal might be worth the hype."

Cai couldn’t help but chuckle at that, but his expression turned serious. "If they wanted something truly sensational, they should have questioned the women themselves."

Rafe raised a skeptical eyebrow, sensing there was more behind that comment. "Oh? And what’s that supposed to mean?"

Cai gave him a pointed look before a smirk tugged at his lips. "Let’s just say I like things messy in the bedroom, Rafe. I have... certain kinks."

Rafe visibly winced, holding up a hand. "Too much information, Cai. Really. Take your frustration out on anyone but me."

Cai shrugged nonchalantly. "Hey, you asked. And you’re the one bringing me this lovely bit of news."

Rafe rolled his eyes but then turned serious. "Well, here’s the real issue—they’re not after the truth. They’re trying to create a narrative for you. Specifically, that you’re untrustworthy and abuse your power. Given that you’re still in your twenties, some factions might be more than willing to buy into that image."

Cai nodded, his gaze narrowing. "So, they’re trying to undermine my position—and by extension, yours—by using me as a pawn in their smear campaign."

Rafe’s expression grew graver as he nodded. "Exactly. It’s why I wanted to speak to you in person. Beyond these enlightening headlines, there are also rumors circulating about the nurses involved in your recent charity work. Those stories have been picked up as well, and I expect they’ll go viral any day now. We’ll need to act fast."

Rafe studied Cai’s expression as the man sat quietly, thinking and noted the tightness around his eyes and the flicker of genuine worry there. Cai wasn’t usually one to care so deeply about public opinion, which only made Rafe more curious. He leaned back suddenly, his gaze sharpening.

"I’mm be dam*ned! You’re seeing someone seriously, aren’t you?" Rafe asked suddenly, cutting straight to the point. Cai’s eyes shifted, caught off guard, and Rafe raised an eyebrow knowingly. "That’s why you’re this worried. You wouldn’t be sweating over rumors so much otherwise."

Cai’s lips parted, as though he was about to respond, but Rafe held up a hand, piecing things together. "Hold on. Isis practically insisted on this vacation, and she was oddly enthusiastic about you going—and you were with a woman the last time we spoke..." He snapped his fingers as it clicked. "Isis set you up! She knows, doesn’t she? That’s why she pushed for you to go there in the first place."

Cai sighed, running a hand through his hair as he finally confessed, "Yeah, alright. I am seeing someone, Rafe. And I really like her—a lot. More than I have anyone in a long time." He paused, his expression softening as he spoke, his gaze drifting as though he could see her right there. "It’s taken a long time to break through her walls, to really get close to her. And now, with these rumors and all the venom people are spewing online, it’s only a matter of time before it hits her too. I know it’ll hurt her, and I don’t want that. She deserves better."

Rafe’s expression softened, but he kept his tone pragmatic. "If this girl holds your interest, then she must be sharp. And from what I know of you, she’s probably tough enough to withstand a few rumors, especially with you at her side. Relationships like this don’t stay easy, Cai. If she’s worth it, she’ll be able to handle the scrutiny. And as long as you’re with her, she’s not going through it alone."

Cai’s eyes darkened, a shadow passing over his face as he shook his head. "If only it were that simple," he murmured, his voice thick with the weight of something unspoken.

Rafe’s brow furrowed. "What do you mean? What’s so complicated about it? You’re one of the few people who’s allowed to live a little—this kind of drama will pass."

Cai met Rafe’s gaze, the reluctance and anxiety clear in his eyes. Finally, after a deep breath, he admitted, "The girl I’m seeing... she’s Jasmine’s younger sister."

Rafe’s mouth dropped open slightly, the realization hitting him like a cold splash of water. "Jasmine’s sister?" he repeated, the shock evident in his tone. "As in the Jasmine—the one you publicly mourned, the one whose loss changed everything for you? And now... her younger sister?"

Here’s an improved and expanded version of Cai’s reflection, followed by a continuation of the scene:

"Yes," Cai replied, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. "It’s been difficult for her too. Jasmine’s death affected her deeply, just like it did for me. She’s been grieving in her own way, carrying her own scars. And..." His voice trailed off as he grappled with the best way to articulate the complexity of the situation.

Finally, he sighed, gathering his thoughts. "Here’s the thing. Lily has been compared to Jasmine her entire life, especially by her parents. They’ve held her up against Jasmine’s memory like a constant reminder of what they lost, and it’s been suffocating for her. She’s suffered in ways that I can’t even begin to imagine. When I initially asked her out, she ran away. She thought that I was doing it simply because she looked like Jasmine—like I wanted to use her as some sort of replacement for Jasmine, rather than recognizing her as her own person. And now, with these articles circulating... I’m terrified that they’ll only add to that narrative."

Rafe’s expression shifted to one of understanding, his brow furrowing as he absorbed Cai’s words. "That’s brutal," he acknowledged quietly. "No one should ever have to live in someone else’s shadow, especially not a sibling. It sounds like she’s been through enough already." Even as he said it, he was reminded of what his own brother had faced because of him and winced, feeling like a hypocrite himself.

But he understood. "She’s her own person, with her own story... and stepping out with you would only remind people of Jasmine and open her to comparisons."

"Exactly," Cai said, the weight in his tone unmistakable. "It would be like reopening old wounds for her. And I can handle people saying whatever they want about me. But to put her through that? Especially after all she’s already been through? I just... I can’t let that happen." freewebnoveℓ.com

Rafe looked at Cai carefully then. Things had just taken an even worse turn than even he had imagined. This was a scenario that had never occurred to him. He hesitated but then made the suggestion," Listen, Cai. If this is real, and if you both care about each other, then there is way you can protect her..."

Cai looked up at him," Really? How?"

"By distancing yourself from her- physically and emotionally. At least until all this tides over and restores to normal..."