Billionaire’s Unlikely Bride - Chapter 51: Chapter 51

Julie’s POV
The soft glow of the television filled the room as I lay stretched out on the couch, my legs draped over Emily's lap. Emily's fingers moved in slow, soothing circles over my calves. We've spent most nights this way, watching movies, talking, and enjoying each other's company.
"You have magic hands, Em." I sighed contentedly.
Emily chuckled softly, her thumb pressing into a tender spot.
"I try." She paused, her gaze drifting away from the TV to focus on me. After a moment she bit her lip and then said, "Jules, when are you going to introduce me to your family?"
I tensed, shifting uncomfortably, sitting up slightly. "I... I'm not sure yet."
Emily's hand stilled, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
"Do you not like being with me? I don't like that we're keeping our relationship a secret."
I looked away, feeling guilty. Emily wasn’t wrong. We've been together for a while now, and I still haven't officially come out to my family. Mason knew, but we've never really talked about it. As for my dad... the thought of telling him made me feel nervous.
"I like being with you, Em. I'm just... scared," I admitted. "I don't know how my dad will react. What if he doesn’t accept me?"
"I'm scared as well, Jules. But I want to tell my brother about us, I'm just waiting for you to finally agree to be open about our relationship." Emily reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. "You know your dad loves you, right? He might be a bit old-fashioned, but he wants you to be happy. Just think about it."
I let out a long sigh. "I wish I was as sure as you."
"Are you worried about what people would think?"
"What? No, that's the last thing I care about." I said quickly.
"What about your brother?" Emily asked. "You could tell him first and then ask him to support you when you tell your dad".
"Mason knows," I said, relaxing a bit. "I told him about my feelings for Raven when they just got married. But we don’t talk about it. He never made a big deal of it though."
Emily arched an eyebrow. "So... how did he react?"
I shrugged, remembering how our conversation had been. "Honestly, he didn’t say much. He was willing to let go of Raven if she felt the same way for me. It was kind of weird. Raven didn't feel the same, she only saw me as a sister. So I'd say, we acknowledged it and then never spoke about it again. Besides, he has his problems."
"But Mason cares about you. He’ll support you no matter what, just like your dad will." Emily said thoughtfully.
I smiled faintly, even though I was anxious. "I don't know if I’m ready to come out yet, to my dad."
Emily shifted closer, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "You don't have to do it alone. When you're ready, I'll be there with you. And I’ll finally tell my brother as well. We'll face it together."
I think I've fallen in love with Emily; how did I not notice her feelings sooner? She was right, it's time to stop hiding.
The next day, I found myself standing in the lobby of my brother's office. It's been a while since I last visited him at work, but I needed to talk to him. I didn't want to go to his house, not when Candice was still living there. Today, I just needed my brother; I wanted his support.
"You look awful, when was the last time you shaved your beard?" I said stepping inside.
He smiled when he saw me. "Julie, nice to see you too. How are you?"
I walked over, hugging him briefly. "I should be asking you that. How are you holding up?"
Mason chuckled lightly but didn’t respond immediately. I could tell he was trying to brush it off, but I know him too well. I can see beyond what anyone else could see. And what I saw... sadness.
"I'm fine, as you can see."
"No, you're not, you look like shit." I wasn’t convinced. "Mason, I heard about the miscarriage. I’m sorry."
"I don't want to talk about it, Julie," he said looking away, using the angry CEO voice that scared subordinates, partners, even members of the board.
He had never been able to use it on me before, and it certainly didn't scare me now.
"Mason, you can tell that to everyone else, but not me." I sighed, recognizing the familiar walls he put up when things got too emotional. "I know you don’t care about Candice, but it's hurting you to lose your first child."
"I'm fine," He looked at me, and I could see the heavy eye bags he had under his eyes. "I'm okay, okay? Can we talk about something else?"
I tilted my head.
"Well, since Candice is no longer pregnant, does that mean you’ll finally go back to Raven? She's still your wife."
Mason's jaw clenched.
"Julie, I signed the divorce papers. So technically, we're not married anymore."
"You did what?" I said, my eyes widened.
"Raven deserves to be happy. If she’s better off without me, I’m not going to ruin that for her. Wasn’t that what you and dad wanted?"
I stared at him in shock, a heavy silence falling between us. I could see anger in his eyes as he looked at me. I heard bitterness laced through his words and something else.
Pain?
Hurt?
Shame?
" Mason, we didn't mean... We love you, we didn't mean to hurt you..."
"Well, you made your thoughts about me clear, and now she's free from the likes of me," he snapped, his eyes turning red, and his voice shook a little. He sighed and ran his hand over his face. "I'm sorry, it's not your fault. I'm just... a mess."
"I'm sorry, Mason," I whispered, pulling him into my arms for a short hug, kissing his cheek. He let me hold him longer than I expected.