Surprise Marriage to a Billionaire
Chapter 455: Can Handle Anything

Chapter 455: Can Handle Anything

The next morning, Rock and Vernice prepared for their flight to Palan Island. Both Alexander and William were there with his to send him off at the airport. Their faces tight with emotion, both trying to appear composed but the worry in their eyes was clear.

Rock could feel it, and the last thing he wanted was to become a burden to his sons, especially now, when both of them already had so much to deal with.

"You sure you don’t want one of us to go with you?" Alexander asked, voice low.

Rock gave a slight shake of his head. "No. You both have bigger battles to fight here. Let me do mine where I need to."

William frowned. "Dad, it’s not just a simple treatment. It’s brain surgery."

"I know what it is," Rock replied calmly. "Palan has the best specialist for my case. That’s where I have the best chance of making it out alive."

Alexander stepped forward. "You’ve always protected us. Let us return the favor this time."

Rock’s lips curved into a faint smile. "You’ll be protecting me by finishing this mess with Tim. That’s what matters now. Vernice will be with me. She’s more than enough to look after this old man."

Vernice gave a small nod, her hand tightening around his. "We’ll be okay. Focus on keeping the family safe. When everything’s over, we’ll come back."

William looked at his father for a long moment before embracing him tightly. "Just come back to us."

"I will," Rock promised.

Alexander stepped in next, giving his father a firm hug and whispering, "You’re the strongest man I know. You’ll make it."

Rock patted his back and nodded. "That’s the plan."

The ground crew gave the final boarding call. Rock looked at his sons once more, his pride, his legacy, and turned to board the jet with Vernice.

The plane had just leveled in the sky, cruising smoothly above the clouds. Vernice peeked sideways at Rock, who was staring out the window, unusually quiet.

She nudged him with her elbow. "You’re not nervous, are you?"

Rock didn’t look at her. "Why would I be?"

Vernice smirked. "Because you’re doing that thing again, staring into the abyss like the clouds have all the answers."

He turned to her with a pout. "Darling, I’m not nervous. I’ve faced worse. Tumors are nothing compared to raising two stubborn sons like William and Alexander."

Vernice rolled her eyes. "Stop pretending to be tough. You nearly cried when the doctor said no red meat."

Rock scoffed. "That was different. That was a tragedy."

She laughed, reaching over to hold his hand. "Well, tragedy or not, you’re going to be fine. We’ll get through this. You’re not alone, okay?"

He glanced at her, then lifted her hand and kissed it. "You’re the only woman crazy enough to marry an old man with a ticking head, and still sass him like you’re twenty."

"Well," she said with a proud tilt of her chin, "you’re not just any old man. You’re my old man. And just so you know, I plan on bossing you around for the next thirty years."

Rock grinned. "That better be a promise."

Vernice leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Damn right, it is."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the hum of the plane surrounding them. Vernice eventually rested her head on his shoulder, and Rock closed his eyes for a moment, feeling her warmth.

For all the chaos and pain left behind, this moment, this quiet, soft moment, felt like hope.

"I just hope things finally go well," Rock murmured with a heavy sigh, his gaze drifting back to the clouds. "I hate seeing my boys working tirelessly just to put that man behind bars. Honestly... I’m more worried about that than this tumor in my head."

Vernice looked at him, her expression softening. Without a word, she gently took his hand and pulled him toward the small private cabin in the plane.

Rock raised an eyebrow, already grinning. "Hmm? What are you doing?" he asked, amusement lacing his voice. "Trying to wear me out for the rest of the flight while you still can, knowing full well you won’t get the chance once treatment starts?"

Vernice’s eyes widened as her cheeks turned bright red. "Rock!"

He chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction. "I’m not complaining, sweetheart. Just making sure I’m mentally prepared."

"Oh, please." Vernice rolled her eyes and lightly smacked his arm, but couldn’t help the laugh that escaped. "I just wanted you to lie down and rest properly, you stubborn old man. That brain of yours needs all the calm it can get."

Rock pretended to wince. "Ouch. Now who’s the one stressing me out?"

"Keep talking, and I will stress you out," she said, smirking as she pushed him onto the bed inside the cabin.

As he got comfortable, Vernice sat beside him and laid a blanket over them both. "Just rest, okay? We’ve got a long flight, and after that, it’s going to be hospital routines and recovery. Let’s enjoy the quiet while we can."

Rock looked at her, his smile softening. "With you beside me, I can handle anything."

Vernice leaned in and kissed his forehead. "Good. Because I’m not going anywhere."

But before she could say anything else, Rock grinned mischievously and playfully rolled on top of her, pressing a kiss on her lips.

"Dear, it’s still morning," he murmured between kisses. "We just woke up a little while ago... why are you trying to sleep again?" His hand slowly crawled beneath the hem of her dress as he added with a teasing smirk, "How about we do a little more exercise instead?"

Vernice didn’t bother replying. Instead, she welcomed his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Her heart fluttered. Ever since they got married, Rock had been calling her by different sweet endearments, love, honey, sweetheart, dear, darling and even asked her to pick her favorite. But she couldn’t choose. She loved them all. As long as it came from Rock’s voice, it was music to her ears.