Billionaire’s Unlikely Bride - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Raven, dressed in a simple white apron over her purple sundress, moved gracefully around the kitchen. The scent of sizzling bacon filled the air, accompanied by the rich aroma of coffee brewing as she whisked eggs in a bowl. She was making breakfast for everyone, scrambled eggs with fresh herbs, crispy bacon, golden hash browns, and fluffy pancakes topped with sliced strawberries and whipped cream.
Mason stood by the entrance, watching as she worked her magic, flipping pancakes and stirring the eggs. She wanted to help in any way she could. After all, Charles had just returned home from the hospital, and her bestie needed all the love and support she could get now.
As she bent over to check the oven where the croissants were baking, she felt strong arms wrap around her waist from behind, startling her momentarily. Mason’s familiar scent filled her senses, and she relaxed into his embrace. He rested his chin on her shoulder, pulling her closer.
"You don't need to do this, Raven," he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear. "We have maids for this kind of thing."
Raven smiled but shook her head, a light laugh escaping her lips. "I know, but it’s my way of helping. Besides, it gives me something to focus on."
"What about your designs, how's that coming along?"
"Pretty good, actually; I will be meeting with some real estate agents next week to show me some offices for my fashion studio."
"That's great news; I'll make time to go with you. If there's anything you need, just let me know." Mason said, genuinely proud of his wife.
"No, I've been saving for this for a long time. So I've got this." Raven replied. "I'll make lunch for you later and have someone send it over. I want to spend the day with your dad and Julie."
Mason chuckled, his arms tightening around her. "I don't know what we did to deserve you. You're too good for all of us."
Mason began trailing kisses down her neck, his fingers slowly slipping up her thighs as he lifted her dress.
She turned her head slightly to look at him. "You're distracting me, Mason. If you keep this up, the pancakes will burn, and that’ll be a disaster." She playfully shoved him away, a smirk playing on her lips.
Mason backed off, holding his hands up in surrender. "Fine, fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when you’re too tired to enjoy breakfast."
Mason backed off, holding his hands up in surrender. “Fine, fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when you’re too tired to enjoy breakfast.”
"I won't, Mason." Raven rolled her eyes with a smile and returned to her cooking.
"Don't you think it's time for you to stop calling me, Mason?"
"That's your name, isn't it?" Raven asked. "Besides, you still call me Raven."
"Fine, at least now I get to call you bunny. Now what are you gonna call me?"
"I haven't thought about that, but I'll come up with something before tonight." Raven winked. "Now go get everyone down for breakfast."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Mason bowed dramatically.
As the last of the pancakes were stacked onto a plate, she sighed.
By the time breakfast was ready, the dining table was set with plates of food and the family began gathering. Charles, looking a bit pale but happy, sat at the head of the table, his eyes sparkling as he saw the feast Raven had prepared. Julie sat beside him, smiling at the effort Raven had put in.
"Oh my God, I love when Raven cooks. It rarely happens but when it does, the food tastes divine." Julie praised her bestie.
"Then I guess I'm right on time." Damon, Mason’s best friend who had just returned from a business trip, entered the room with a tired but warm grin.
"Damon, my boy." Charles greeted him with a warm smile, a fatherly affection in his voice.
"Dad," Damon went to embrace Charles. "I've been worried about you, I'm sorry it took me so long to visit."
Damon has always seen Charles as a father ever since he was younger. He was an orphan, but ever since he met Mason and got introduced to his family, he became a part of their family. And Charles made sure Damon always addressed him as Dad or father, just like Mason and Julie did.
Charles waved him off. "Don't be silly, my boy. I know how busy things get with running a company."
"Hello Raven, how've you been?" Damon asked.
"Oh really, you skipped your best friend and asked my wife first. Not cool man." Mason grumbled, causing everyone to laugh.
"Brother you're supposed to know your wife’s pretty, and she affects everyone," Julie said as she ate her pancakes. "So get used to it."
Raven smiled and turned to Damon. "Please, help yourself. There’s plenty."
"You don't have to tell me twice." Damon nodded and began filling his plate. As they all dug into their breakfast, they talked about different things, especially business.
"So Damon, how was the trip? I'm certain there was a lot of progress." Charles asked Damon
"Well," Damon started between bites of bacon, "things are steady right now, but the tech industry is unpredictable these days. My investors are happy, though, so that’s what matters."
Damon was a self-made billionaire, having built a technology empire from the ground up. His company specialized in software development and cybersecurity; it's safe to say that he's business has by far surpassed the Barrett family's real estate empire, but their bond was as strong as ever.
Charles listened intently, occasionally nodding in approval.
After breakfast, Mason and Damon decided to leave together for work, though their companies were in different parts of the city.
But as they approached the gates of the Barrett mansion, they were met by a swarm of paparazzi. Flashes of cameras and the sound of shouting voices immediately filled the car.
"Mason, what do you have to say about your wife’s affair?" One reporter yelled, thrusting a microphone toward him.
"Mason froze, his brow furrowing. What's the meaning of this?" He demanded, but the questions only intensified.
"Is it true your wife has been seeing your cousin behind your back?"
"Are the rumors about Raven Barrett’s affair real?"
Mason's confusion turned into anger as one of the reporters shoved a tablet in front of Mason’s face. The screen displayed a series of photos, photos of Justin kissing Raven. The images weren’t clear enough to show the entire context, but they were more than enough to send a wave of rage surging through Mason. His heart pounded in his chest, he felt betrayed and hurt.
His mind raced back to the past, he remembered Candice and her affair with his cousin as well, the way she had broken his heart. And now, Raven?
Before he could react, Damon stepped in. "Security!" He called out, and within moments, the guards appeared, pushing the paparazzi away and making room for the car to leave.
Mason clenched his jaw, he didn’t want to believe it, but those pictures...