Billionaire’s Unlikely Bride - Chapter 62: Chapter 62

Julie’s legs nearly gave way beneath her. She didn’t know what to do. Both her father and her brother were now fighting for their lives, and she was powerless to help either of them. She didn't know how to face this on her own. Everything was happening so fast and she had never had to deal with anything like this before. Her father and Mason always took care of everything, and when they weren’t around, Damon...
Damon!
Her hands trembled as she pulled out her phone, dialing Damon’s number with shaking fingers. She needed someone to tell her what to do!
The phone rang twice before Damon picked up.
"Hey Julie, how are you?" His voice was calm.
Julie’s voice cracked as she tried to speak, sobbing a moment before she managed to get her voice under control.
“Damon?” Julie whispered, not sure what to say.
“What’s wrong, kid?” Damon asked, falling directly into big-brother-protector mode. “Where’s Mason?”
“Damon, please... I don't know what to do. Dad had a heart attack. I saw him collapse in his study... I don't know what happened. And now Mason... I just found out he was involved in an accident on his way to the airport… it was on the news! His car was crushed by a truck! I don’t know what to do!”
"Julie, calm down. Listen to me, I'm booking the next flight back to New York. Raven and I will be there as soon as we can. But you need to stay strong, Mason and your dad need you"
Her breath hitched, and she wiped away the tears that blurred her vision. She was crying so much that she didn't pay attention to the fact that he said, "Raven and I."
"I don't know what to do, Damon. They’re fighting for their lives, and they're in different hospitals, and I'm here... helpless." Julie gripped the phone tighter. "Please, hurry, Damon. I can’t do this alone."
“This is what I want you to do,” Damon began, his voice clear and steady. “Call Emily. Have her stay with Charles. If she has any problem with the whole BS about not being a family member, have them call you and put on your best I’m Not A Bitch You Mess With voice and have them allow her to stay with him.”
“I have an I’m Not A Bitch You Mess With voice?” Julie asked, sounding and feeling small.
Damon chuckled.
“Hell yes, you do! After that, contact the director of the hospital Charles is in and request that he be moved as soon as he is safe to do so.”
“Okay… I can do that…” Julie didn’t sound sure, but she didn’t feel sure either, so it seemed fitting.
“I’m going to go book the flight. We’ll be on a plane within the hour-”
“Promise?”
“Yeah, kid. Even if I have to buy the whole damn airline.”
As the call ended, Julie crouched down, hugging her knees. She glanced at the hallway of the hospital where her brother was in critical condition, unsure whether he was even alive right at that moment.
She called Emily.
**Australia**
Raven stood at the front of her team as she gave final instructions for the upcoming modeling show that Sia’s dad was hosting. Her fingers gently traced the edge of a dress on the mannequin; her voice was calm as she spoke despite the stress that had been weighing on her since she started creating the designs.
"For the evening gowns, make sure the fabric flows naturally," she instructed, glancing at one of the workers. "It needs to catch the light when the models walk, but nothing too heavy. The details should be subtle, not overpowering. Just like I did here."
Everyone nodded, jotting down her notes diligently. Raven moved to the next dress, examining it with a critical eye. "And for this one, make sure the seams are invisible. I want the design to feel effortless. Accessories should be kept to a minimum."
As she continued giving directions, her mind briefly drifted to Mason. She suddenly felt uneasy, like something was wrong. But she pushed the thought aside.
Just as she was about to move on to the next piece, she saw Damon rushing toward her, his expression unusually serious.
"Raven, we need to talk."
"Sure, I'll be done in a few minutes."
But Damon didn’t wait. He grabbed her upper arm as carefully as he could and pulled her aside, his grip firm but not harsh.
"Raven, it's urgent. It's about Mason and Charles."
Raven’s heart dropped to her stomach, her blood freezing like ice in her veins.
"What is it? What happened? What’s wrong with Mason?" she asked, panic creeping into her voice.
Damon took a breath before delivering the news.
"Mason's been in an accident and it looks like Charles had a heart attack."
“Wait, accident? What kind of accident? I don’t understand-”
“He was in a car accident on the way to the airport, it’s pretty bad. I don’t know anything other than he’s in critical condition and Julie is hyperventilating by herself.”
Raven’s world came crashing down in an instant as the gravity of Damon’s words sank in. Her breath caught in her throat.
"What? No... no! That's not true."
"I know it's a lot, but Julie called, and she needs us there right now," Damon said, his voice steady but urgent. "We need to go back. Now."
Raven’s body trembled as she tried to process the information. She took a few shaky steps backward, her hand reaching out to steady herself against the nearby table.
"You’re wrong… you’re lying… I just talked to Mason… I told him about the baby… he was so happy… this can’t be right! Is he going to be okay? And Charles... Oh my God, Damon, please take me back. I need to know they’re both okay. And Julie... dear God. She must be all alone."
Damon placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll leave right away. But you need to stay calm and breathe... for the baby’s sake."
At the mention of the baby, Raven froze, her hand instinctively going to her stomach. She couldn’t let anything happen to her child, but the thought of losing Mason was unbearable.
Brian walked into the room before she could say another word. His eyes immediately locked onto Raven’s tear-streaked face.
"What's going on?" He asked, his voice laced with concern as he quickly crossed the room to her side.
Raven sobbed as she spoke.
"I need to go back to New York. Mason... he's been in an accident. I don't know how I could live if something happened to him. And Charles... he had a heart attack."
Brian’s expression shifted from confusion to worry, and he glanced at Damon, who gave him a brief nod of confirmation.
"I'm so sorry, Raven," Brian said softly, his voice filled with sympathy. He watched her closely, seeing the fear and pain in her eyes, and though a part of him ached at the thought of her rushing to Mason’s side, he pushed his feelings aside. "I'll drive you to the airport."
At the airport, Brian and Sia stood with Raven and Damon as they prepared to board the plane. Raven stood by the gate, her arms wrapped around herself, as if trying to hold herself together. The tears had stopped for a moment, but the anguish in her eyes was unmistakable.
Brian stepped forward, his heart heavy as he looked at her. He gently cupped her face with his hands, his thumb brushing away a stray tear.
"Take care of yourself, okay?" He whispered, his voice breaking slightly. "I hope this isn’t goodbye."
Raven gave him a small, tearful smile.
"No, it’s not. We're still partners, remember?" She said softly, her voice barely audible over the noise of the terminal.
Brian leaned in, pressing a soft kiss on her lips. "Just be safe. That’s all I ask."
Sia stepped forward, her arms spread out to hug Raven. "I'll miss you so much. Take care of yourself and the baby okay?"
"I will. I'm sorry about leaving like this. I couldn’t stay to make sure everything's set for the show."
"You've done an amazing job, Raven. Leave the rest to Brian and I."
"Bye for now," Raven said as they turned to board the plane.
Brian watched them go, his heart sinking with each step she took away from him. Deep down, he feared that when she returned, things between them would never be the same again.