The sound of the sewing machines filled the room as Raven and Brian worked side by side, finalizing the new designs for their clothing brand. Music filled the room quietly enough to not be intrusive or make conversation difficult. Rather, it seemed to help their concentration. Brian had been used to working in silence but this was just another way he had changed his life for the better, He had heard people around the office talking about them, saying they had been spending more time together lately, and everyone seemed to think that their chemistry was undeniable. He felt it, too, but he had sensed Raven’s hesitation to go further. Raven was focused on a new fabric sample when Brian leaned closer – he was close enough that he could feel the warmth of her skin, the scent that he would always remember as uniquely Raven; he glanced at the sketchbook that was on her thighs. "You always make work look so much more fun than it is," he teased, brushing a strand of hair away from her face
Later that evening, Candice kept bugging him about taking her somewhere so she could clear her head. Mason didn’t have the energy to refuse. She had been clinging to him since the miscarriage, and he couldn’t bring himself to push her away... not yet. Candice chose one of the most expensive restaurants in the city. As they sat down at the table, the waiter immediately brought out a bottle of champagne that she had pre-ordered. "To us," Candice said with a smile, raising her glass. Mason clinked his glass against hers but remained silent. He couldn’t stop comparing Candice and Raven. Raven. She had an easy smile with a gleam in her eyes. She wore her emotions across her face, and when she had found out about his night with Candice, the look she wore was still beautiful. Achingly beautiful. Hurt. Pain. Disappointment. All of it shattered him the way he imagined he had shattered her heart. He wondered if she had moved on from him, was she happy without him? "Mason, are you even list
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 talke
I didn't think Mason would let go of Raven so easily. And I never expected to see my brother look so broken. To know I helped break him. He was wrong, he hurt Raven but I hurt him in return. I didn't have to agree with what he did, but I didn't have to be so harsh. Clearing my throat, I shifted in my seat, unsure of how to approach the next topic but desperate to move on from the conversation. "I have something to tell you," I began hesitantly. Mason raised an eyebrow, relieved at the attention moving from him. "Go on." I swallowed hard, my heart kept pounding inside my chest. "I'm... I'm in a relationship. With a girl." There was a moment of silence, and then Mason smiled. "I'm happy for you, Julie. So when are you bringing her home? This is great, now I get to bug you about your relationship." I blinked in both surprise and relief. "Wait, you’re not freaked out?" Mason chuckled. "Why would I be? It's not like I didn't know you like women." I frowned. "Yes, but you never
Mason stood inside Damon’s living room, glancing at the suitcases packed near the doorway. He raised an eyebrow, wondering what was going on. He knew that Damon had originally intended to leave for Australia if things didn’t work out with Julie, but leaving like this was not a good idea. He couldn’t leave when he was so upset when things between him and Julie were so… damaged. Julie was already devastated that she thought Damon, who she had known almost all her life, was disgusted by her. He couldn’t leave without talking to her, it wasn’t right, and Mason was determined to protect both his sister and his friend. Damon would regret leaving Julie behind like this. When Damon came downstairs, his expression hardened when he saw Mason. "What are you doing here, Mason?" Mason glanced at the luggage. "Going somewhere?" "I'm leaving for Australia tomorrow." Damon sighed as he sat down. "And you weren't going to tell me?" Mason frowned. Damon shrugged. "It's not like you've been kee
He turned, surprised to see Julie rushing toward him. She was out of breath by the time she reached him, almost double over as she tried to catch her breath. "What are you doing here, Julie?" Damon asked, concerned. "I came to talk to you before you leave, dummy," she said, catching her breath. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I just... I can’t let you leave like this. I can’t let you hate me!" Damon’s face softened as he listened. "What are you talking about, Julie? I don't hate you. You don't have to apologize for loving someone else." "But you're leaving, and I don't want this to ruin our friendship. You mean so much to me, and I can't bear to lose you. Please stay." She pleaded with him. Damon sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder and hugging her. "You're not losing me, Julie. I’ll always be here for you. But I need to go. I promise I'll visit any chance I get. I don’t think you’re disgusting. I'm happy for you, and I only want the best for you." Julie smiled weakly.
Raven gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove down the highway. Her hands were trembling, her vision blurring as waves of nausea crashed over her. The clock on the dashboard showed she was already twenty minutes late for her meeting with Brian and some new clients of theirs. She hadn't been feeling like herself in days; she felt weak. She didn't notice the light ahead turned red as darkness washed over her. Her foot hit the brake too late, her car veered off the road and collided with a nearby light pole, and her head slammed into the steering wheel. The last thing she saw was the crumpled hood of her car before everything went black. A bystander screamed for help, and two men rushed over from a parked truck. One carefully opened the door and checked her pulse. "She's alive!" He shouted over his shoulder. "Call an ambulance!" Raven blinked slowly as her vision began to clear. She tried to focus on her surroundings. White walls and the sterile smell of antiseptic made her r
Raven was sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for her discharge papers. Brian and Damon stood by her side, as the doctor went over the instructions. "Remember, no strenuous activities," the doctor warned before turning to Damon and Brian. "Make sure someone’s always with her, we need to take a few extra precautions. If she starts having headaches that won't go away or has any dizziness or abdominal pain, bring her straight in. It could be nothing, but considering her accident and her pregnancy, we need to keep an eye out for signs of a miscarriage." Damon’s eyes widened, but he said nothing. Brian nodded as the doctor spoke. Raven kept her eyes away from Damon, not ready to see the look on his face. She knew he'd be angry and she couldn't deal with it right now. She only just found out about the baby, too. What could she say? Once Raven was discharged, Brian insisted that she stay at his place for a few days. "You're coming with me. I'm not leaving you alone after what ha