Billionaire’s Unlikely Bride - Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Mason sat in his mini bar, staring at the divorce papers in disbelief. It had been two weeks since Raven left, and though he tried to convince himself she just needed some space, seeing her signature on those documents shattered every hope he had left. His heart broke as he flipped through the pages, seeing her signature at the bottom of every document was a cruel reminder that she truly had left him.
He reached for his phone and dialed his father’s number. Charles picked up after a few rings.
"Tell me you didn't know about this, Dad." Mason's voice was filled with desperation. "Raven just served me with divorce papers. She's left me for good, I don't know what to do anymore."
There was a brief pause on the other end before Charles spoke. "All I can say now, Mason, is that you need to let her go. Raven has made her decision. She signed her part, and now it's time for you to sign yours."
"You knew about this. How could you let this happen, Dad? You knew and you didn't try to stop her." Mason gritted his teeth. "I can't. I can't just give up on what we have! I've been trying to find her, but I have no idea where she's gone. So please, Dad, if you know where she is, just tell me."
"What you have with Raven, ended the moment you got Candice pregnant." Charles sighed heavily. "You have Candice now, and she's pregnant with your child. What did you expect, for Raven to stay around and watch you raise another woman's child? You can't expect to have two women in your life fighting over who has rights over you and who doesn't."
Mason instantly became speechless. He hadn’t thought about it that way. Could he blame Raven for leaving? He didn't deserve her, but he also didn't want to let her go.
"I need to find her, to talk to her."
"There's no use, son," Charles replied. "Raven didn’t tell me where she was going, and I don't think she wants to be found. You need to focus on the future and your responsibilities. Candice is carrying your child, and that's what you should focus on."
"But---"
"You know," Charles interrupted. "It's good you didn't get a chance to sign those documents that transfer ownership of Barrett Enterprises. You still retain your position as CEO, but I won't be giving you full control over everything. Not until I see you regain your focus."
"I don't care about the company right now!" Mason snapped before whispering, "I just want Raven back."
There was a brief silence before Charles spoke. "Be careful, Mason. Get yourself together 'cause I sense you're on the verge of losing everything."
The line went dead before Mason could respond. He stared at the phone in his hand, frustrated. How did he end up in such a mess? He's lost the woman he loves and is stuck with the one with a responsibility he couldn’t avoid.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door, interrupting Mason's thoughts. One of the maids went to open and Candice walked in, arms packed with shopping bags.
"Mason, I'm back!" She said, going over to where he sat; she placed the bags in front of him. "I bought a few things for our baby. You should see them, they're adorable."
She had moved into his penthouse a week ago, and she's refused to leave.
Mason's eyes flicked to the bags. There were at least 20 bags, all from high-end stores. Mason frowned. "A few? Candice you didn't need to buy this much stuff."
"Oh silly, that's not all!" She said, laughing lightly. "There are more bags in the car."
"What the hell, Candice!" Mason struggled to keep his cool. "You didn't need this many things. The baby isn't born yet."
Candice shrugged. "Who says they're all for the baby?" She raised two bags. "These are for the baby, the rest are mine. I'm going to need new clothes once the baby is born."
Mason sighed, running a hand through his hair. He wasn’t in the mood for this. He suddenly remembered Raven, even though she knew he was rich, she never asked him for material things. She loved him for who he was, and not his money. Candice was just the exact opposite. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Candice behind.
"Aren't you gonna help me take these upstairs?" She asked. "Or at least tell your guards or maids to help me."
"You're pregnant, not handicapped. I pay my workers to take care of me and the house, not to carry shopping bags." Mason said as he walked away.
She watched him leave, glaring at him. When he was out of sight, her gaze shifted to the papers on the table. She picked them up, her lips curled into a satisfied smile as she read them.
"So, she finally gave up, I can't believe this," Candice muttered under her breath. "This is great. Now, nothing is standing between Mason and me. The next step is getting Mason to marry me."
She placed the papers back down, as she envisioned the life she'll soon have with Mason. It was only a matter of time, and as far as she was concerned, Raven was out of the picture for good. And she'll make sure Mason accepts that as well.
That night, Candice made her move. She had been waiting for the perfect moment to carry out her plans. She needed to remind Mason of the passion they once shared. She was dressed in a sheer black lingerie set, she snuck into his room while he was in the shower.
She lay on his bed, her legs spread wide, fingers running over her body, just the way he liked to watch her. Candice was so confident about her plans.
The water stopped, and she smiled as she heard Mason step out of the bathroom. He walked into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist but stopped in his tracks when he saw her.
"What the hell are you doing here, Candice?" Mason's voice was filled with disgust.
Candice pouted, her fingers moving in and out of her core shamelessly. "Come on, Mason, I'm sure you know why I'm here. You've missed this right? You loved watching me touch myself, just like this, remember?"
Mason's jaw clenched. "Get out."
Candice’s expression faltered. "What?"
"I said get out!" Mason barked.
When she didn't move, he went over, grabbed her arm, and dragged her off the bed, not caring if she was half-naked.
Candice yelped in surprise, struggling to free herself. "Mason, stop! What are you doing?"
He kicked her out of the room. "Next time you pull something like this, I'll forget you're pregnant and throw you out of my house for good." He said and slammed the door in her face.
Candice stood outside the door, too stunned to take a step. A few maids who were down the hall, giggled as they witnessed the scene.
"She's such a slut," one of them said, not caring if Candice heard them.
"Does she think she can replace Raven just like that?" Another one was added.
"If she's so desperate to get laid, why didn't she go to the guards? I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help."
Candice’s face burned with humiliation, but she quickly composed herself. She glared at the maids. "Raven tried to replace me," she hissed. "You get that? Now shut up before I get both of you fired."
"Like you have any power here." One of them muttered, and they started laughing as they walked away.
Meanwhile, in the Barrett mansion, Julie sat in her room, staring blankly out the window. It had been a week since Margaret's funeral service, but Julie still couldn't live with the fact that the woman she called mom all these years was dead. Margaret wasn't her biological mother, but she loved her all the same. And now, with Raven gone too, Julie felt more alone than ever.
The knock on her door startled her. Charles stepped in, worry evident on his face.
"Julie, your friend, Emily is here to see you," he said gently. "I wasn't sure if you'd want to see anyone, but---"
Emily had been there every day to check how Julie was doing, even though Julie always refused to see anyone.
Julie remembered the letter Raven had left her before she disappeared. In the letter, Raven hinted that Emily had feelings for her. Could it be true? And if it was, how didn't she notice?
Julie took a deep breath and nodded. "Let her in, Dad."
Charles smiled softly and left the room. He was relieved to know she was different today.
Julie sat back, thinking about her bestie. Raven may not have been here, but even in her absence, she still found ways to look out for her. And maybe, Emily could be the distraction she needed from the pain she was feeling.
As she waited for Emily to enter, Julie whimpered to herself, "What would I ever do without you, Raven? I just wish I could look out for you as well. Please be okay."