Married On Paper To The Billionaire
Chapter 46: All Bets Are Off

A week before the twins' third birthday, Emilia and Kane had their first mediation meeting with their lawyers. As she'd expected, he was adamant about going through with the divorce despite her insistence. The meeting was happening in one of the conference rooms in Kane's office building. Her appearance in the office had turned heads and caused whispers among the staff.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked in exasperation. "You clearly don't want me anymore. Not when that hardened criminal is still living under your roof." "That's not true, Emilia, and you know it. Serena is only there because Mother thinks it's good for her recovery. Once she feels better, she'll leave."

"You don't believe that, do you? That's just an excuse to keep her there so you can keep screwing her whenever you like!"

"Ehem!" her lawyer cleared his throat dramatically. "Let's get down to other aspects of this meeting, shall we?"

"I agree," said Kane's lawyer. "Let's talk about the children."

"They will remain with me," Emilia said firmly.

"Next week is their birthday, they should celebrate it in the mansion," said Kane.

"Not. Going. To Happen!" She snapped.

"Emilia - "

"I mean it, Kane. My children will not step foot in that mansion if Serena doesn't leave first."

"Didn't you hear what I just said about that?"

"I don't care. Get rid of her."

"Perhaps you should consider making that small compromise, Mr Beaumont," said her lawyer.

"Ok, fine. I will make arrangements for her to leave as soon as possible," Kane agreed.

"Not just that, I want you to issue a press statement admitting that you ruined our marriage before I got involved with Matt."

"Don't push your luck, Emilia. I've already said I'll get rid of Serena. Stop making more demands."

"It's either that or all bets are off," she said stubbornly.

"You don't get to call the shots here," Kane grumbled. "that's not how mediation works."

"Then we don't have a deal."

"Maybe we should - "

"No, Norman. That's my final decision," she said, cutting off her lawyer.

Kane glared at her. He was struggling to hide his frustration and failing at it.

"I suggest we adjourn this meeting to a later date since we haven't succeeded in reaching any agreeable conclusion," said Kane's lawyer.

"I agree," he said curtly. "Let's have this meeting another time when my temper isn't about to bubble over and explode."

Emilia was the first to stand up. She wasn't going to be intimidated into agreeing to Kane's demands.

Without bothering to say goodbye to him or his lawyer, she stormed out of the conference room followed by her lawyer who hurried to catch up with her. "Emilia, wait!"

"What?" She snapped at Kane who was now following them.

"Can we talk alone?"

"No!"

"Listen, just hear me out first."

"I don't want to hear anything, Kane. If it does not involve the date of Serena's exit from the mansion, then I don't want to hear it."

She walked away briskly with her head held high. When she arrived at her apartment, Nanny opened the door with a huge smile on her face.

"What's the good news, Isabella? Why the big smile?"

"Come and see for yourself," said the happy nanny. She opened the door wider and Emilia was stunned to see a flower arch and floating balloons all over the apartment. "What's this about? What's going on?"

"Surprise! Welcome back home, my love!"

Emilia's smile faltered when she saw Matt. He was grinning from ear to ear and holding a bouquet of red roses.

"Matt. I didn't know you were coming today," she said dully.

"That's why it's a surprise," he said still grinning. He was completely oblivious to Emilia's disinterest. "Do you like it?"

She responded with a patient smile. "This is really nice. Thank you."

"I was thinking we could have a quiet romantic dinner together tonight. Maybe Isabella and the twins can go to your family's place for the evening."

"I don't think so. If you'd informed me ahead, we would have made arrangements for that. I can't just dump my children and their nanny with my family without notifying them first." "It shouldn't be a big deal. They're family."

"No, Matt," she said firmly. "Isabella, please put these flowers in a vase for me."

"Of course, ma'am," said Isabella, collecting the bouquet from her boss and going to the kitchen with it.

"Is something wrong?" Matt asked her, noticing her dullness.

"Not at all. Excuse me, I need to check on my children."

Later that evening, Matt decided he would make dinner for everyone. Emilia didn't like the idea but she didn't have the energy to argue.

He ended up making a basic meal comprising spaghetti, meatball sauce, steamed vegetables and buttered cheese bread. Emilia was unimpressed but she appreciated the effort.

"It's time for the kids to go to bed," he informed Isabella after dinner.

Emilia scowled at him. "Not yet, Matt. We've just finished eating. Let their food go down first."

Isabella smiled nervously and settle back on her chair. She could tell her boss was running out of patience with her guest.

When the children were finally taken to bed, he scooted closer to her on the couch and took her hand in his.

"Emilia, there's something I need to tell you."

She was instantly filled with dread. Now what?

"What is it?" She asked calmly.

"From the first time I set eyes on you, I knew no other woman in this world would ever match up to you in my life. I fell in love with you right from that moment and I have lived my life since then, looking forward to a time like this." "What do you mean?" She asked carefully.

He slid off the couch and got on one knee. Emilia gasped and withdrew her hand but that didn't stop Matt. He put his hand in his pocket and brought out a small blue velvet box.

"Matt..."

"Hold on, Emilia. Please, don't say anything just yet. I love you, Emilia Taylor. I love you with all of my heart and soul and I want you to be my wife. Please..."

She was horrified. Of all the wild things to happen to her, this one was the craziest. She took in a deep breath and stared into his hopeful eyes.

"Listen, Matt, I am truly flattered by this. I am thankful to you for being there for me when I was going through a tough time in my life. I appreciate your emotional support more than you can ever imagine."

"Then say yes to me. Marry me and make me the happiest man alive."

"You already know I can't do that. I'm still legally married to Kane."

"It doesn't matter. You're only married on paper to him. He stopped being your husband a long time ago. Don't let that egotistical bastard stop you from finding true happiness with me."

She swallowed a sigh. This was becoming tiring. How was she going to explain to this guy that even if she divorced Kane this very second, she still wouldn't consider this proposal?

Whatever exciting adventure she had with Matt ended in Wyoming after they returned from that blasted trip to Norwalk. She'd only wanted to get back at Kane for cheating on her with Serena, but getting proposed to was never part of that stunt.

"Honestly, Matt, even if Kane wasn't in the picture, I don't think I would want to end up with someone like you."

His face creased with disappointment. "What do you mean?"

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"You're a young guy with great potential and a lot of love to give. I'm a woman who is seeking independence and has two toddlers to take care of. We don't belong on the same spectrum at all. Our journeys are different." "I disagree, Emilia. Love conquers all."

"I'm not in love with you!" She blurted out and was instantly sorry. Matt's face crumbled and she feared that he might cry.

"I didn't mean to say it like that, Matt. I'm sorry," she said softly.

"So all the times we've spent together never meant anything to you?"

"They did but I don't want to lie to you. This isn't going to work."

"Do you still love him?"

She stared at her fingers. "I don't know."

"That's a lie!" He said sharply. "You still love him. After everything he's done, you still love him!"

It sounded as if he was accusing her of doing something terrible and that made her angry.

"He is still my husband," she reminded him.

"Well..." he said dejectedly and got to his feet. "I'm sorry for bothering you and embarrassing myself like this. I will return to Wyoming tomorrow."

"Matt... I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'll check myself into a hotel," he said and picked up his overnight bag which had been lying beside the couch all evening.

"You don't have to do that. You can spend the night here."

"I'd rather not. Goodnight, Emilia."

After he left, she sat alone in the den, thinking about what just happened. She should feel relieved that she'd finally gotten rid of him but instead, she felt shitty and she blamed Kane for everything.

****

"She put you up to this, didn't she?"

"Nobody put me up to anything. I want my wife back and the only way she can return home is for you to leave. I have been very lenient with you, Serena, so don't make me throw you out like a bag of garbage. Get your things and leave right now!"

"I can help you get rid of her lover."

"I don't need your help with that. Start packing."

"I did a little investigation and I know the best way for you to get rid of that country bum. If my idea doesn't work, go ahead and have me arrested."

Her confidence intrigued Kane. He knew he shouldn't consider her plan but he was desperately curious. What was this clever wench up to now?