Married On Paper To The Billionaire
Chapter 35: Burning Bridges

"For god's sake, Emilia, it's been three weeks! You can't keep complaining about everything Serena does or says. It's becoming unbearable." "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Lillian replied with a straight face. "At some point, you'll have to get used to living under the same roof with her."

"But it's not just her anymore, is it? Her so-called mother who appeared out of nowhere is also a part of this madness. She speaks to me rudely and encourages Serena to continue acting as if she's my equal." "First of all, that's her foster mother. The woman was homeless, so it was not out of place for Serena to invite her here to live and have a familiar face around her." "Whatever..."

"Second, we all know Serena isn't your equal and she can't be, no matter how much she tries. Her being here is temporary, so try and be tolerant for now." "Tolerant?"

"Yes, Emilia, tolerant. If the rest of us can endure her presence, I see no reason why you can't."

Emilia was amazed. She couldn't believe that this was the same Lillian that was ready to throw Serena out before. Now, she along with the rest of her family was treating that home wrecker like a golden egg. "Is there anything else you wanted to discuss with me?" Lillian asked her absently while tapping away at her laptop keyboard.

"No," Emilia said softly and left her sister-in-law's home office.

Somehow, the tables had turned and she was now the villain in the mansion. Nobody was talking about how Serena was responsible for abducting her daughter who was still missing even to this minute. Nobody cared anymore that the child Serena was carrying was the product of her husband's infidelity. How did any of that become normal to them?

Things hadn't gotten any better between her and Kane either. He was now aloof towards her as if she was just another maid in the house. They barely spoke to each other anymore.

"Hi there, sister-wife!" Serena bellowed from the TV room as Emilia passed. "Why are you patrolling the hallways like a ghost?"

"Now that you mention it, she does look like a ghost," said Serena's mother, 'Lupe.

Emilia glared at both of them. "Like mother, like daughter. What a shameless pair."

Serena threw back her head and laughed. "At least, I'm not sneaking around like a thief. I have been welcomed home by the married man I'm sleeping with. Can your whoring sister say the same thing?" "Don't you dare insult my little sister!"

"Facts are not insults, dear," said 'Lupe smugly. "We've seen her with our own eyes hopping from hotel to hotel with your brother-in-law." Emilia was stunned. "What?"

Serena chuckled. "Unlike you, we don't sit indoors all day, brooding. We go out to shop and have a good time. You should try it too." "Yes," said 'Lupe. "There's no telling all the interesting things you will discover when you step out of this beautiful prison of yours."

"I don't blame you two. I blame myself for standing here and listening to your nonsense," she said and walked away.

As she hurried to her room, she could still hear their irritating voices as they mocked her with their laughter. Once inside her room, she grabbed her phone and dialled her sister's number.

"Where are you?" She asked immediately after her sister answered the call.

"I just got home now. What's up?"

"Wait for me there. I'm on my way to you."

"Why? Did something happen?"

"I don't know for sure yet, but I'm about to find out."

She hung up and got dressed, then she went to the nursery to pick up Travis. She was never going to leave her child in the care of her in-laws and the mansion's domestic staff anymore. Not when the enemy was now living with them. Only Chloe was at home when they got to the Taylor household. She was excited to see Travis and was all over the boy.

"I'm glad Mom and Dad aren't here because I wouldn't want them to overhear what we're about to discuss."

"Can you please stop with the suspense already? What's going on?"

"Are you dating Samuel Adams?" Emilia asked without preamble.

Chloe was speechless. She averted her gave quickly and began to play with Travis.

"So, it's true."

"Who told you?"

"Serena."

"Who?"

"My husband's lover."

"Damn, Emilia. Why is Kane always cheating on you?"

"We're not talking about me, Chloe. This is about you."

She sighed. "Ok, fine. Yes, we've been seeing each other."

"My goodness, Chloe! What did I tell you the last time?"

"Look, I'm 20 going on 21 and I'm allowed to date anyone I want."

"Yes, but not a married man who's related to us by marriage!"

"He won't be very soon. He's getting a divorce."

"Come on, Chloe. You're smarter than that. No married man ever divorces his wife for his mistress."

"Is that so? If I remember correctly, Kane once divorced you to get engaged with his mistress."

"Seriously?"

"Sorry, but you get my drift."

"End it."

"No!"

"Why?"

"Because I love him and he loves me too."

"Oh, dear..."

"I know it seems crazy to you, but it's true. He doesn't love Lillian anymore. She's barely ever around because of her endless charity events and shopping trips abroad. He's lonely."

"He's a liar. If he truly loved you, he'd divorce his wife first before pursuing you. Do you even realize that this unwholesome relationship puts me in a difficult situation with the Beaumonts? You're not even discreet about it. What if they find out?"

"Who cares? You're already in a difficult situation with them. How can you let them force you to live with your daughter's kidnapper whom your husband cheated on you with?" "That is so unfair, Chloe."

"I'm sorry if you feel insulted, but you're not exactly in the right position to dish out any advice on morality. Carry your cross and let me carry mine. Stop being selfish!" "Wow, I am selfish now?"

"Yes. You're only concerned about your image and reputation. You've become a true Beaumont with how you portray your marriage and life as perfect when they're not." "Chloe..."

"I said what I said, big sis. I'm not breaking up with Samuel and that's that."

She did her best not to break down in front of her sister but she was deeply hurt. This wasn't what she'd expected when she came here to rub minds with Chloe.

She returned home with Travis shortly after. It was already late in the evening, so she bathed him, fed him and read him a bedtime story until he slept.

The nannies were becoming more and more useless with each passing day and she was seriously considering getting rid of them. She'd talk with Kane about it tomorrow when -

She stopped short in the corridor when she saw her husband coming out of Serena's bedroom, looking disheveled. He looked as if he'd gone in there right from the office because he was still formally dressed but his hair and shirt were messed up.

"What were you doing in there?" She asked him.

"I went to check on Serena. I haven't seen her today."

"Have you seen me today?"

"Don't we sleep in the same room?"

"When was the last time you slept in our room?"

"That's not my fault, is it? You practically kicked me out."

"And I didn't have a good reason to?"

"Please, Emilia. I'm too tired for this."

"For what? Tell me, Kane, what are you too tired for? Talking with me?"

"You call this talking? It feels like an interrogation to me."

"Oh, I see... I see how you and your family have unanimously turned me into the enemy, the intolerant one who can live peacefully with the innocent pregnant lady."

"Come on, Emilia. Nobody likes a nag. "

"Is that so? I'm now a nag? It's ok. I'm going to get out of the way for you and your family so that you can all freely cook up whatever kind of lies you want. I won't stop you or get in the way." He sighed.

"I have tried my best to be understanding and cooperative, but I can't do this anymore. I've had enough and I want out."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I want a separation. I'm leaving and I'm taking my son with me."

"Our son," he corrected. "And you're free to leave. You're not my prisoner."

Emilia flinched as if he'd slapped her. Wasn't he even going to beg her to reconsider and stay? Was he now so emotionally involved with Serena that his marriage no longer mattered to him? "Fine. This will be my last night here. I'll leave first thing in the morning."

"As you wish," he said dismissively and walked away.