THE BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE BABY

Chapter 47

~~**ROME**~~

Rome took the last bag and placed it carefully into the trunk of the car. He glanced over at Jess, who stood by the passenger door, her hand resting on her swollen belly. Despite her condition, she had insisted on helping with the packing. Her determination amazed him.

"Careful," he said gently, moving to open the door for her. She smiled back, a mixture of gratitude and fatigue in her eyes, and eased herself into the seat with a sigh of relief.

He sighed too, but for different reasons. As he turned back to grab the final bag, his thoughts drifted to Phoenix. The abrupt and painful end to their relationship still haunted him. He had genuinely liked her, maybe even loved her, but now he was engulfed in confusion and heartbreak, uncertain of what to believe or how to move on.

He walked around the car to the driver's side, his mind still lost in the past. Just as he reached for the door handle, his phone rang, jolting him back to the present. He pulled it from his pocket and saw Camilla's name flashing on the screen. He scoffed, memories of how strained interactions their relationship has become came flooding back, and answered the call with a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

"Camilla," he said curtly.

"Rome," she replied, her voice shaky and breathless.

"What's up, Camilla?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady, though a knot of anxiety began to form in his stomach.

"You need to get here now," Camilla said, her words rushed and disjointed.

"What are you talking about, Camilla?" Rome demanded, irritation creeping into his voice. He had no patience for her usual dramatics.

"It's Mom... I think she's dead," Camilla said, her voice breaking.

"What the fuck?" Rome cursed, his body going rigid with shock. His mind raced, refusing to process the words. His mother? Dead? This had to be a sick joke.

"Yeah, she was shot. Please come to the hospital now. I have to go save Phoenix," Camilla said, her words tumbling out in a frantic rush before abruptly ending the call.

"Save Phoenix?" he echoed, staring at his phone in disbelief. The call had ended, leaving a void filled with panic and confusion.

His heart pounded in his chest, a wild, uncontrollable rhythm. First, he hears his mother might be dead, and now Camilla was talking about saving Phoenix? None of it made sense.

He quickly got into the car, his hands trembling as he started the engine. The urgency in Camilla's voice echoed in his mind, pushing him into action.

"What happened?" Jess asked, her eyes wide with concern as she watched him. But Rome didn't answer. His mind was a whirlwind of fear and unanswered questions. He pressed the accelerator, the car lurching forward as he sped towards the hospital.

The drive felt like a blur. Memories of his mother flashed through his mind-her laughter, her stern lectures, her unwavering support. The thought of her being gone was unbearable. And Phoenix-why did Camilla mention saving her? What had happened?

As he neared the hospital, dread settled in the pit of his stomach. He parked hastily, barely registering Jess's worried gaze. He turned to her briefly, his face pale and strained.

"I don't know exactly what's going on, but it sounds bad. Stay here, I'll be back," he said, his voice tight with emotion.

Before she could respond, he was out of the car, running towards the hospital entrance. The doors slid open with a mechanical hiss, and he was greeted by the sterile smell of antiseptic and the chaotic buzz of a busy emergency room.