Chapter 9 - Collision Course
Maya burst through the heavy double wooden doors of the chapel into the blinding afternoon sunlight, her white lace wedding gown dragging awkwardly across the concrete steps. The crisp autumn air hit her face, but she felt only a burning numbness as she scanned the crowded courtyard for her car keys. Her mind was entirely consumed by the memory of her mother’s frail hand holding hers just a week ago, smiling proudly as Maya tried on her veil.
Footsteps echoed sharply behind her on the stone steps. Julian had followed her out, his white tuxedo jacket discarded in the vestry, leaving him in a crisp white shirt with his black bow tie dangling untied around his collar. He caught up to her just as she reached her car parked by the curb, her hands shaking so badly she dropped her keys onto the pavement with a sharp metallic clatter.
“Maya, stop!” Julian commanded, his voice firm yet stripped of its previous coldness.
He bent down, scooped up the keys from the asphalt, and straightened up to face her directly, blocking her path to the driver’s side door.
“Move, Julian!” Maya screamed, a raw, jagged sound of pure anguish that startled a few pedestrians walking by the venue.
“My mother is in the hospital. She had a heart attack because of the foreclosure notice Marcus sent. If I don’t get to St. Jude’s right now, I might lose her forever!”
Julian’s eyes widened slightly, the anger evaporating completely, replaced instantly by deep, instinctual shock and empathy. The meticulous facade of his orderly corporate life shattered under the weight of a real emergency. He looked at Maya’s tear-stained face, seeing the terrified daughter beneath the ruined bridal gown.
“Take the passenger seat, Maya,” Julian said immediately, unlocking his own luxury sedan parked directly behind hers with a sharp beep of his fob.
“You are in no condition to drive. I am driving you to the hospital right now.”
“I don’t need your pity, Julian,” Maya sobbed, trying to push past his broad shoulders.
“Your life is ruined because of me. Go back inside, file your injunctions, protect your assets. Leave me to deal with my own wreckage.”
Julian grabbed her by the shoulders, his grip firm, grounding her against the swirling chaos of the street. He looked directly into her terrified eyes with an intensity that brooked no argument.
“Stop talking about assets and lawsuits for one damn second, Maya,” Julian said fiercely, his voice dropping to a low, steady rumble.
“Your mother is my family too. Whether we sign a marriage license today or not, I am not letting you drive anywhere alone in this state.”
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Before Maya could protest further, Julian opened the passenger door of his car, gently guided her inside, and slammed it shut, hurrying around to the driver's side to start the engine.
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