novelraw Chapter 200: The Bridge
Chapter 200: The Bridge
"I’ll go take a bath, beautiful Lisa," Julie said softly, bowing her head slightly in respect to the elderly couple.
"Oh, of course, my dear," Lisa replied, her face lighting up with a warm, affectionate smile.
"Take care," Denovan added, nodding gently as he watched Julie.
Julie paused for a moment, then turned back slightly. "What would you prefer for dinner? I would like to cook myself."
Her words clearly caught them off guard.
Both Lisa and Denovan looked at her in surprise, their eyes widening almost at the same time.
"You know how to cook?" Denovan asked, his tone filled with curiosity.
Julie nodded calmly, a small, modest smile forming on her lips.
"Well, I’ll be eating my daughter’s cooking today," Denovan said with a pleased grin.
Before he could enjoy his excitement any further.
Lisa’s hand landed sharply against his side.
"Who said she will cook?" Lisa shot him a look. "Do you want to stress our daughter?"
She immediately reached out and wrapped her hand gently around Julie’s palm, her expression softening with concern.
"My dear, you must be tired. Maybe you should leave it for another time," Lisa suggested, her voice filled with care as she studied Julie’s face.
Julie shook her head slightly.
"Don’t worry, beautiful Lisa. I actually want to do something... so the time will pass quickly," she said quietly.
Her tone was soft, but there was something deeper beneath it something that made Denovan lift a brow as he observed her more carefully.
"Yes... indeed," Denovan murmured thoughtfully. "She has to."
Lisa turned to him.
"Now let her cook," Denovan continued gently. "It will help her pass the time. She’s feeling a little lonely."
Lisa hesitated for a moment before letting out a small sigh.
"Alright, my dear," she finally said, giving Julie’s hand a reassuring squeeze. "But take some rest first before you start."
Julie smiled.
"What would you like then?" she asked again.
Denovan didn’t hesitate.
"Shrimps with white rice, egg custard, olive salad, roasted chicken legs, seasoned fried fish... and the rest is your choice," he listed in one breath.
Lisa’s lips parted in disbelief.
She turned slowly to glare at him.
"Alright, my dear. Thank you. Now go and get some rest," Lisa said warmly, gesturing toward the staircase.
"Hmm," Julie responded softly.
She turned and began walking toward the stairs, her steps light but unhurried. As she ascended, her mind still lingered on everything that had happened the gifts, the surprises, Roman’s voice.
Halfway up, she suddenly stopped.
Azazel stood there, leaning casually against the railing as if he had been waiting for her all along.
Julie’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
"You’re back," she said.
"Yeah, sis, I’m back," Azazel replied with an easy grin. "How was your outing with the grandparents?"
Julie let out a soft breath, her eyes lighting up slightly. "It was... amazing. Full of surprises."
Images flashed briefly in her mind the flowers, the gifts, the screen, Roman.
Azazel nodded knowingly. "Yeah, I know."
Then his grin widened.
"And here is mine."
Before Julie could even process what he meant, Azazel reached behind his back and brought out a large black box, holding it out toward her.
Julie froze.
Her eyes fixed on the box, her body going still as she stared at it. The sleek black surface reflected the soft lighting from above, making it look even more mysterious.
Azazel chuckled softly at her reaction. "Here, take it."
Julie blinked, finally snapping out of it as she slowly reached out and took the box from him. It was heavier than she expected.
"So this is what you’ve been hiding behind you?" she asked, glancing up at him.
"Yeah. It was supposed to be a surprise," Azazel replied, clearly pleased with himself. "And judging by your face, I’d say you like it."
Julie let out a small laugh. "I do... but what’s inside such a big box?"
Her curiosity got the better of her. She adjusted her grip and was just about to open it.
"Wait no, no, no. Don’t open it now!" Azazel suddenly said, stepping forward quickly, his eyes widening.
Julie paused, looking up at him with one eyebrow raised.
"Why?"
Azazel rubbed the back of his neck, then smiled again, this time a little more meaningfully.
"Because it’s from your man," he said. "You know you’re supposed to open it alone."
Julie blinked.
"Oh..."
Her grip on the box softened slightly, and she nodded. "Okay."
"Thank you," she added sincerely.
Azazel laughed lightly, shaking his head. "Wait until you open it before thanking me."
Julie smiled quietly, holding the box close as something warm settled in her chest again.
---
"Drive faster to the airport," Roman said, his voice calm but firm as he sat in the passenger seat.
The driver immediately pressed harder on the accelerator, the car responding with a low, powerful hum as it sped through the road.
Roman reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. His movements were precise, controlled.
He tapped quickly, dialed a number, and raised the phone to his ear.
"Darel, get the jet ready. We’re heading back to the city," Roman said, his tone steady, carrying quiet authority.
"Yes, pal," Darel responded almost immediately. There was a brief pause before he added, "But what’s wrong?"
Roman leaned back slightly, his gaze fixed ahead, his expression unreadable.
"Everything will be fine. Don’t worry. It will become clear soon," he said after a short breath.
"Understood. Everything will be ready before you arrive," Darel replied.
The call ended with a soft beep.
Darel lowered his phone slowly, his brows knitting together.
"It seems someone has truly provoked the lion today," he muttered under his breath before quickly getting to work.
Back in the car, Roman remained silent.
His eyes narrowed slightly, his posture relaxed but there was something unsettling about the stillness around him.
It wasn’t calm.
It was the calm before a storm.
"Damiano..." Roman said quietly, his voice dropping as he called his uncle’s name.
His fingers tightened slightly against his armrest.
"You better have an explanation."
"How many minutes until we reach the airport?" Roman asked, his voice calm but carrying an edge that made the air inside the car feel tight.
The driver swallowed hard, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than before.
Even without looking back, he could feel the weight of Roman’s presence behind him.
"F-fifteen minutes, sir," he stammered, his voice betraying his nerves.
"Drive faster."
The command was simple. Flat. But it left no room for hesitation.
"Yes, sir," the driver replied quickly, pressing his foot harder on the accelerator. "Once we pass the bridge ahead, the airport is just beyond it."
The car surged forward, engine humming louder as it sped through the dimly lit road.
Streetlights flashed past in streaks of gold, reflecting briefly against the glossy black surface of the vehicle before disappearing into the night.
Inside, the tension was suffocating.
Roman sat still, his gaze fixed ahead, his expression unreadable but the cold aura around him filled the space like a storm waiting to break.
The driver’s heartbeat pounded in his ears as the bridge came into view.
It stretched long and silent over the dark water, its structure looming under the faint glow of overhead lights. The surface looked steady normal.
At least, for a moment.
As the car drove onto the bridge was a sudden jolt and the vehicle shook violently.
"What–?" the driver’s voice barely left his lips before it happened again.
A deep, unsettling tremor ran through the entire bridge.
Then a sharp cracking sound.
The pillars beneath the bridge began to shudder
The support pillars split, fragments breaking loose and crashing downward.
The road beneath the car fractured instantly, cracks spreading like lightning across the surface.
"Sir!!"
The driver’s shout was cut short.
The section of the bridge beneath them collapsed.
The car dropped.
In a single, terrifying second, the black vehicle plunged downward as the structure gave way completely.
Then the Water exploded upward, splashing violently around the car as it hit the surface with a deafening crash.
Waves surged outward in chaotic ripples, swallowing the noise of destruction.
Inside the car, everything lurched.
The force of the impact drove the vehicle deeper, the weight of it dragging it down as the water rushed over the windows, flooding the exterior in seconds.
Bubbles surged upward.
The headlights flickered faintly beneath the surface and Pulled down by its own weight into the dark depths below.
Author’s Note ✨
Love doesn’t always show itself in grand speeches... sometimes, it hides in quiet actions, in thoughtful surprises, and in the way someone remembers you even from afar.
In this Chapter, Julie experiences a kind of love that is both overwhelming and gentle one that makes her feel seen, cherished, and chosen over and over again.
Roman may not always be physically present, but his presence lingers in everything he does for her.
And sometimes, that kind of love speaks louder than words ever could.
But as soft and beautiful as love can be... there is always another side.
While Julie is surrounded by warmth, affection, and light, somewhere else, storms are beginning to form.
Roman’s world is not simple it carries power, danger, and hidden enemies. And as much as he shields Julie, not everything can stay hidden forever.
So the question remains...
How long can love stay untouched when danger is quietly drawing closer?
Stay with me as the story unfolds ❤️