Married On Paper To The Billionaire
Chapter 24: The Ugly Truth

"Did you do it?"

"No! Why would you even think that?"

"The photos were taken from your room, Chloe. Who else had access to your room?"

"Ever heard of maids?" She asked sarcastically.

"The maids are not allowed to use their phones while on duty."

"I don't know what you want me to say, Emilia. I didn't do it. I would never betray you and Kane like that. Never!"

Emilia sighed. "This is really disturbing. Maybe coming back to the U.S. with the children was a mistake."

"I don't think so. I kinda have a sneaky feeling that someone is trying to set me up in this house and I honestly don't know why." "My vote is on Serena."

"Who's that?"

"Lillian's PA. She even claimed that she saw Samuel coming out of your room on the day of the party."

Chloe's face went white.

"What? What is it, Chloe?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying."

She looked away.

"Wait, Chloe. Please, tell me what I'm thinking is not true."

"I'm not a mind reader. How can I know what you're thinking?"

"Was Samuel in your room? Is something going on between you two?"

"What if it is?"

Emilia gasped. "Chloe! Have you lost your mind?"

"No, I haven't. I'm 19 and that means I'm old enough to be with whomever I want." "Not my sister-in-law's husband!"

"Please, keep your voice down. Someone might hear you."

"You see? What you're doing is so bad that we can't even speak about it freely."

"Stop being dramatic, Emilia. It's not even that serious."

"When did it start?"

"In Malta. Nothing happened though. We just talked."

"About what?"

"He told me how his marriage with Lillian is so messed up. Elsie practically forced him to marry Lillian. When he tried to refuse, she offered him money to start his own clinic and then got him registered with a renowned hospital where he performs surgeries on his patients."

"So basically, he was paid to marry her and he accepted. Why is he crying about it now?"

"Because he found out recently that she's been cheating on him the whole time."

"And what has that got to do with you? Samuel has his own skeletons too and I'm sure he didn't tell you about them."

"Is he cheating on her too?"

"With you, yes!"

"It's not cheating if we're not having sex."

"Have you two kissed?"

Chloe hesitated. "Only on the day of the party."

"And that will be the last time too. End it, Chloe. You can be with anyone you want but definitely not Samuel."

"You're not my mother."

"I am your sister and this is my matrimonial home. I have the right to stop you from coming here."

"Fine. I'll leave!" Chloe said and got up. They were sitting in the art room.

"You must stop seeing him, Chloe. I mean it."

"Or else?"

"I'll tell Kane."

"And he'll make up a shady story as an excuse to throw me in jail as he did to Kendra?"

"What?"

"I'm leaving. You won't see me here again. I promise."

She stormed out and nearly collided with Kane who was coming into the room. He looked annoyed.

"What's wrong with her?" He asked.

"Uh, we had a little argument. Is that my phone? I was wondering where I dropped it."

"You left it on the bed. You have a message on it."

"And you brought it here by yourself? You could've just sent someone instead."

"I could have, but that means I would miss out on seeing your expression when you read the message."

Emilia became concerned. "What is it?"

"See for yourself."

She took the phone from him and looked at the pop-up message displayed on the screen. Her heart stopped when she read it. "So?"

"It's a harmless message, Kane. He's just saying hi and congratulating me on the twins' birthday."

"Is this why you wanted us to come back? So that you can reconnect with your ex-lover?"

"Matt was never my lover and you know it."

"Do I?"

"Stop it, Kane. Please."

"Done," he said and walked away. He bumped into Serena outside and almost tripped over her. "What are you doing here?" "I'm sorry, sir. I was looking for Mrs Adams."

"I thought both of you had a designated office where you work. Besides, why don't you just call her on the phone if you can't find her?" "I'll do that right away sir," she said, grinning at him.

Something about her overly friendly manner rubbed him the wrong way. And why was she always sneaking around the mansion like a spy? "Anything else?" He asked her when she didn't make any move to walk away.

"No, sir," she said and hurried away. She ran downstairs and slid into one of the coat closets to make a discreet phone call. "Hello?"

"Yeah, it's me. Listen, if we're going to make our move, we need to do it now."

"Why?"

"There's trouble in paradise. The best time to launch an attack is when your opponents are distracted."

"Hmm... I think you're right. What do you have in mind?"

****

"Did you conduct any background checks on her before hiring her?" Kane asked his sister.

"Yes. She's as clean as a whistle. Why? Has she done something wrong?"

"Not exactly. I just don't feel comfortable with the way she sneaks around the house. Why do you let her roam around like that?"

"You make Serena sound like an untrained puppy. She's in awe of this house like most people who grew up on the other side of the tracks. It's just curiosity."

"I don't like it. She's been here long enough to have toured the entire mansion by now. Keep her in your office and bedroom if you must but I don't want to run into her anywhere else in the house." "Yes, boss," she said coldly.

"Don't get like that. You know why I'm being extra careful. My children are

As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s.com is your destination for the complete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! "Fine," Lillian cut in. "Don't worry, I'll order my PA to never cross over to your wing in the mansion again. Serena may be creepy at times but she's harmless." "Ok."

"What else?"

"Nothing... I was going to ask Emilia about the outcome of her meeting with Chloe but I got distracted."

"By what?"

"Her phone. I saw a text on it that left me feeling suspicious."

"Kane! Why are you snooping on your wife's phone?"

"I wasn't. It was a pop-up text that displayed everything on the screen."

"Who was it from?"

"Some guy she had a fling with in Wyoming."

"Oh..."

"She told me nothing serious happened between them."

"But?"

"That text said otherwise. He said he missed her."

"So?"

"What if that was why she came back? What if they've been in contact this whole time and they've probably been plotting ways to get back together?"

"That doesn't sound like Emilia. That woman is head over heels in love with you, Kane. If you can't see that then it means you're blind."

He sighed. "I don't know..."

"Don't you trust her?"

"I thought I did."

"So, it's going to take only a text to shake your faith in her?"

He sighed again. "I think you're right. I think I'm overreacting."

"Yes, you are. I hope you didn't blow your lid and accuse her of anything stupid."

"I might have."

"Go back to her and apologize right now."

"Yes, Mother."

Lillian laughed. "I don't sound like her."

"You're more alike with Mother than you think."

"I disagree."

"Fine. Excuse me, I have an apology to tender to my wife."

****

"I appreciate the good wishes but not you saying you miss me. That was totally inappropriate."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."

"I'm not offended, Matt. It's just that my husband saw your text and misunderstood everything."

"That was not my intention. Sorry."

"Listen, Matt. Thank you for reaching out to me but I'd appreciate it if you stop sending me any kind of message. I am happily married and I'd like to keep it that way." Kane walked into the room just then to hear what she was saying. He smiled at her but she looked away.

"Goodbye, Matt," she said and hung up. "Happy now?"

"I'm sorry, Emilia. I shouldn't have gone off on you like that."

"Whatever..."

"Your anger is justified."

"I'm not angry, just disappointed."

"Please, don't say that, Emilia."

"What is it going to take for me to earn your trust, Kane? What?"

"I promise you, I'll never doubt you again."

She snorted. "If Matt sent me another text right now saying that he's in love with me, you'd immediately start accusing me of cheating on you."

"No, I wouldn't do that. I'd send a team of commandos to Wyoming to whoop that farmer's meddling ass."

Emilia laughed. She couldn't stay angry with Kane for long. He'd always find a way to win her over and make her forget why she was even mad at him in the first place.

"I'm sorry," he apologized again. "I'll do better, I promise."

"I deserve more than just an apology."

"I agree. What do you have in mind?"

"How about a romantic dinner at Ceasar's?"

"Excellent. Nothing screams romance like an exquisite five-course dinner at the best restaurant in the city."

"I want the most expensive things on the menu."

"Done."

"Great! I'll go check on the twins and then get dressed."

"I'll join you."

An hour later, they were both dressed to the nines and looking like the celebrity couple that they were. Emilia chose a figure-hugging white dress with a matching stole. Her ears, neck, wrists and fingers dazzled with diamonds. Kane looked like a suit model with his hair slicked down with gel. His grey designer suit looked sprayed onto his fit body.

"You two look delicious," Elsie commented when she saw them. "The paparazzi will have a field day today."

"I actually don't mind," said Emilia. "I want to be thoroughly photographed tonight with the love of my life."

Kane grinned proudly. "Let's go out there and have a fabulous time, my love."

They walked to their waiting car hand-in-hand. They chose the silver Rolls Royce that matched their outfit. As their car drove off, Serena watched with blazing eyes from her spot at the dining room window.

"What are you still doing here?" Elsie asked, startling her.

"I'll just be on my way now," she said and turned to leave.

"I'll speak to my daughter about adjusting your closing time. You shouldn't be working this late every day. Or perhaps she should let you stay in one of the guest rooms."

"Oh, no ma'am. That won't be necessary. I'll be on my way now. Goodnight."

Elsie acknowledge Serena's greeting with a polite nod and watched as the young woman scurried away like a frightened mouse. Elsie knew it was an act because Serena didn't look like someone who could be easily intimidated by anyone. When Emilia and Kane got to the restaurant, they instantly stole the spotlight. Everyone stared at them and a few acquaintances there said hello too.

They were given the best table in the restaurant and the staff buzzed around to serve them. Emilia wasn't usually into this kind of star treatment but tonight, she basked in it.

Their wine arrived and Kane made a toast. "To love and happy ever afters."

Emilia smiled. "I never thought you were the type to believe in fairy tales."

"You've made my life a fairy tale, Emilia, and I promise to never forget why I fell in love with you."

"Why?"

"Because you have a beautiful and sincere heart. I promise to never take that for granted again."

"I feel as if we're having a vow renewal right now."

"We should probably do that."

"Nah, we're good. This is enough."

They clinked glasses and kissed.

"I can't wait to take you back home and finished what we've just started now."

She grinned. "Maybe we should skip dinner and just go home."

"Good idea. Let's get out of here!"