Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love-Chapter 143: Trying To Understand

Arthur smiled faintly, his own gratitude mingling with hope. "He sees what we’re trying to do," he agreed. "And that’s a good start. We’ll keep showing them, in every way we can, that we’re here to stay."

Lydia leaned into his embrace, drawing strength from his confidence. As daunting as the road ahead seemed, she knew they were taking the right steps. If they could gain Jared’s trust, perhaps they could begin to build the bridge to their daughter’s heart as well.

"She loves him," Arthur said after a pause. "And that love is fierce. But I have to believe that there’s room in her heart for us, too."

Lydia sighed, leaning into her husband’s touch. "I want to believe that too," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "But she doesn’t know us. We’ve already missed almost 30 years of her life, Arthur. She’s her own person now, with her own beliefs, her own family. We’re strangers to her."

Arthur squeezed her hand, his voice steady and calm. "Then we’ll start as strangers. And we’ll work to become a family. It won’t be easy, but it’s worth it. She’s worth it."

Lydia nodded, a small flicker of hope glimmering in her eyes. She looked toward the kitchen once more, where the sounds of soft laughter and conversation drifted through the air. Her heart ached with both love and longing.

Arthur’s voice broke the silence, firm but gentle. "We’ve lost so much time, but we still have a chance. And we’re not going to waste it."

Lydia smiled faintly, her fingers tightening around Arthur’s in a gesture of quiet determination. "No, we’re not," she whispered, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling beneath the surface. Her gaze drifted once more toward the doorway, where their daughter and her husband shared their private world. Silently, she willed Jerica to give them a chance, to let them be part of the life they had only just begun to glimpse.

Her expression hardened slightly as her thoughts shifted. "We have to handle Philip and Brandon," she said, her tone firm with resolve. "I’m going to meet my father. This time, for real."

The weight of those words settled between them. Lydia had kept her distance from her family for years, ever since the day she broke away from them, from their expectations and manipulations. The rift between her and her father had been stark and unyielding, even as the families maintained an air of civility for appearances. They never truly reconciled. Lydia hadn’t shared a single meal with her father since that day, though she occasionally spoke to him out of necessity.

Lately, her father had been ill. The man who had once wielded authority like a weapon now seemed fragile, diminished by time and illness. He had been asking to see her, pleading for a meal together as though it were his final wish. Lydia had resisted, holding fast to the anger and hurt that had defined their relationship for so long.

But now, things were different.

For the sake of Jerica, she couldn’t ignore the request any longer. This wasn’t about forgiveness or closure for herself; it was about building a foundation for her daughter. If meeting her father could create even a sliver of stability or resolve lingering tensions, it was worth it. Lydia had no intention of rekindling the closeness that had long been lost, but she was willing to take this step—for Jerica’s sake.

Parents truly lose when it comes to their children, don’t they? Lydia thought, a wry smile tugging at her lips. They can’t even hold onto grudges when it comes to the safety and happiness of their children.

It would be the same for her father too, she knew. He would give in to her wishes without even a second thought. He loved her too much in his own twisted way.

Arthur studied her quietly, understanding the enormity of the decision she had made. "Are you sure?" he asked softly, his hand never leaving hers.

"I am," Lydia said, her voice unwavering. She took a deep breath, feeling both the weight and the release of her choice.

-----

Jerica took a quick shower, the warm water doing little to soothe the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind. She dried off quickly and slipped into something more presentable, opting for comfort over style. If Jared thought she should give her biological parents a chance, then she would try—at least for his sake. For hers. For the baby growing inside her.

Lunch was a careful affair. The aroma of Jared’s cooking filled the air, but her appetite was practically non-existent. As they sat around the table, Jerica couldn’t help but notice how Lydia and Arthur acted. Every glance, every tentative smile, and every word seemed laden with desperation and love. It wasn’t pushy, not exactly. It was quiet and earnest, and her walls—the ones she had spent years fortifying—started to crack.

Her heart melted, though she hated to admit it. No, it didn’t just melt; it pooled at her feet, warm and disarming. And yet, the idea of calling them "Mom" and "Dad" felt foreign, like trying to wear a pair of shoes that didn’t fit. She wasn’t ready for that.

Despite her lack of appetite, she found herself smiling faintly as Lydia and Arthur showered Jared with genuine praise for his cooking. Jerica always loved hearing others acknowledge how amazing he was. He truly was the best, and their compliments only reinforced her pride in him.

After the meal, they moved to the living room, where the earlier awkwardness seemed to dissolve just a little. There was something about sitting together in a less formal setting that made them feel less like strangers and more like people simply trying to connect. For a brief moment, Jerica allowed herself to wonder if this could work.

"How long do we have to stay here?" Jerica asked, breaking the silence. "I need to visit a doctor and..." She turned to Jared, her lips curving into a soft smile. "We need to move to a bigger apartment."

Jared didn’t hesitate. "A house with a yard."

Jerica raised a brow, surprised by his certainty. A house? They could afford one, of course. With her resources, they could probably buy a mansion without even denting her finances. Still, she hadn’t thought Jared would suggest it so soon.

"Oh, where do you want to buy a house?" Lydia asked, her eyes lighting up with interest.

Jared met Lydia’s gaze and, without a word, understood her intent. She wanted to buy it for them. But Jared shook his head gently, his voice firm. "I have enough saved."

It was true. Jared had worked hard for years, saving for the day he could provide a home for his family. This wasn’t just about finances—it was about pride, about building something on his terms.

Arthur noticed the slight disappointment flicker across Lydia’s face and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "That’s great," he said, his tone warm. He understood Jared’s perspective. There was nothing wrong with wanting to provide for your family.

Jerica glanced at Jared, her heart swelling with affection. He was a man who didn’t even like taking money from her, so of course, he wouldn’t let others pay for something as significant as their first home. It was just another reason why she loved him.

Turning her attention to Lydia and Arthur, she saw them adjusting their expressions—Lydia’s disappointment replaced by a polite smile, and Arthur’s understanding still present.

"What are your plans?" Jerica asked Lydia cautiously. "Are you going to announce publicly that I’m your daughter?"