Married On Paper To The Billionaire
Chapter 57: Karma

"That audio recording has done its magic," Virgil informed Kane over the phone a few days after the TV interview. "The publishing company has canceled their deal with Serena."

"As they should. She was going to write hundreds of pages filled with lies about me and my family. She should have taken the money I offered her."

"She might reach out to you for it."

"That offer is off the table. She missed her chance."

"Well, that's that then. My work here is done but don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you need my services again."

"Of course, thank you."

After the phone conversation, he went in search of Emilia and found her in the sunroom with Lillian and Elsie.

"Hello, ladies. May I join you?"

"Of course, darling," said Elsie. "we were going over the details of your upcoming wedding anniversary party."

"Ah, wrong timing. I'll come back another time," he said and turned around to leave.

"Not so fast, mister. Get back here!" Emilia laughed and ran after him.

Kane groaned playfully and allowed her to lead him to a vacant chair beside hers. Emilia summoned a maid to bring him a drink.

"I'm outnumbered, so whatever you all decide is fine by me," he said.

"Don't be like that. There is actually some nice stuff here that you'll like," said Lillian and she showed him the laptop on which all the planning had been going on. "That's great," he said indifferently. "anyway, I came here to inform you guys about my conversation with Virgil."

"What did he say?" Elsie asked eagerly.

"First of all, that punk, Reggie has been rearrested because he violated his parole agreement by travelling across the country to come here and blackmail me." "Excellent!" Lillian giggled. "Now, he's back to where he truly belongs behind bars."

"Second, the publishing company has pulled out of its deal with Serena. The world has already heard the content of the book from that audio recording, so what's there to pay for?" "Karma is working overtime these days, isn't it?" Emilia laughed.

"Serves the right," said Elsie with satisfaction. "I hope that's the last we'll hear from either of them."

"I hope so too," said Kane. "Lillian, have you heard anything from Samuel?"

"Yes, I received a response from his attorney yesterday. He's not contesting anything in the divorce petition. Let's hope it continues that way until everything is finalized."

"It will," Kane said confidently. "In the meantime, I'll go and check on my children while you ladies continue with the party planning."

"Thanks for your help," Emilia said with a laugh.

After he left, Elsie turned towards Emilia and said, "I am so glad to see you two happy again. I can't believe that I once thought that you weren't the right fit for him. I'm happy you've proved me wrong."

****

Emilia and Kane's wedding anniversary party was the talk of the town. It was hosted in the banquet hall of the most luxurious hotel in the city.

Everyone who mattered in society was present and the event reminded Emilia of that evening after their first wedding when she was introduced to everyone during the charity ball in the mansion.

This time, she was dressed in a shimmery ivory dress that sparkled whenever she moved. Diamond earrings hung on her earlobes and her neck was adorned with a tiny string of pearls and diamonds. Her shoulder-length chestnut hair was styled in a pretty updo.

"You look like an angel tonight," Kane complimented her. "you have become even more beautiful than I remembered."

"Don't flatter me to death, my love," she laughed. "you don't look bad yourself."

He was dressed in a grey formal suit that complimented Emilia's dazzling dress. His hair was slicked down on his scalp, making his angular facial features even more prominent.

"We deserve a long vacation to somewhere exotic and sexy, where we can rekindle our passion."

"That sounds enticing but what about the twins?"

"We need a break from the twins, Emilia. Trust me, I love them with all of my heart and soul but I think we both need a few days away from them. Let's just have a few days to ourselves." "Oh, I don't know..."

"Don't worry, we'll double the security around the house and even inside the mansion. We'll have guards inside their bedroom who will watch them while they sleep." "That's a bit extreme."

"If that's what it will take for you to have peace of mind, then so be it."

"You really do want to go on this trip with me, don't you?"

"Very much. So, what do you say?"

"Where are we going?"

"Wherever you want. Just name the place and we'll be there in a flash. My jets are ready and waiting to be used."

"Ok, lover boy, let's go to St. Barths."

"Done. We can leave tonight if you want."

"Uh-huh, not so fast. I've to say a proper goodbye to my babies and you also need to station the new batch of bodyguards around the mansion before we leave." "Ah, yes. Let's tie all the loose ends and then we can ride into the sunset."

"Sounds like a plan."

****

"This place looks like paradise..." Emilia sighed three days later while lounging beside Kane on the upper deck of their rental maisonette on the island of St. Barths. "Feels like it too," he replied with a satisfied smile.

Their beautiful place was surrounded by greenery and flowers and overlooked a private beach. They could see a few of their neighbors strolling along the shore while others surfed in the water.

"We should hit the beach too. The water looks very inviting," she said.

"I'm not a huge fan of beaches but it would be a sin not to visit the beach in a place like this. Come on, let's go."

They went into their suite to change into swimsuits and then they strolled barefoot to the beach, holding hands like newly engaged lovebirds. Emilia had a wide-brimmed rattan hat on her head while Kane wore big dark sunglasses. It would be difficult for anyone to recognize them like that.

"The waster does look inviting," he said. "I'll go for a dive. Care to join me?"

"Nope. I don't want to get my hair wet but I'll cheer you on from here."

"Chicken."

"Whatever!"

He went into the water to swim while Emilia remained on the shore, watching him. The bright sunlight made the blue water glisten like polished turquoise. "Emilia?"

She turned to look at who had recognized her and was pleasantly surprised.

"Chad! What are you doing here?"

He grinned. He was shirtless and his tanned muscular torso glistened in the summer sun. His hair was long and held in a man bun and he'd grown a beard that made him look ruggedly sexy.

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! "I knew it was you. I would recognize that hair anywhere."

"Don't be ridiculous," she laughed. "There are thousands of women with my hair color."

"Not quite like yours... it's different in a way that I can't explain."

She blushed slightly. "So, what are you doing here?"

"I came for a solo vacation. It's been a very busy year for me and I just wanted to take a few days off to chill."

"That's nice. I've seen some of your works on National Geographic and the Planet Earth project. Well done, Chad. Your wildlife documentaries are gradually making a celebrity out of you."

He chuckled. "Thanks. That's a big compliment coming from you. That means a lot to me."

She smiled and looked away. Kane was still in the sea, rolling with big waves and enjoying himself thoroughly.

"I see you're here with your husband. I heard you guys got back together again."

"Yes, we did. We celebrated our wedding anniversary a few days ago."

"Which anniversary? For the first wedding or the second?"

Emilia stared at him blankly till he coughed in embarrassment.

"Sorry, I didn't mean - "

"Are you in a relationship?" She asked, cutting off his apology.

"Right now? No."

"Why?"

"I just got out of another long-distance relationship... we weren't getting along anymore as we used to."

"I'm not surprised."

"What does that mean?"

"Nobody can get along with a guy that disappears into the wind for several months and returns suddenly, expecting to pick up the relationship where he left off. Nobody wants to be in a one-sided relationship." "Are we still talking about me and my ex, or is this about me and you?"

She scoffed. "Get over yourself, Chad. I'm not pinning for you. I'm happily married."

"Are you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Emilia, I have followed your marriage closely in the last couple of years and that man frolicking in the sea right now has shown you time and again that he's a jerk but for some reason, you keep going back to him." "The reason is called love, Chad, but you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

"I loved you, Emilia. I'm sorry I dropped the ball but I loved you so much. That was why I jumped at the opportunity to meet with you at the restaurant that day. I wish I could turn back the hands of time and undo so many things..." He stepped closer to her and took her hand. "Emilia - "

"What's going on here?" Kane asked, coming to join them. He was dripping sea water and frowning like an angry god.

Chad immediately dropped Emilia's hand and took two steps back away from her.

"You're back," Emilia said nervously. "This is Chad, my... my old friend."

Kane squinted at Chad, trying to recognize the familiar face. "Have we met before?"

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"I don't think so," Chad said quickly and began to retreat. "It was nice talking to you again, Emilia. Enjoy the rest of your vacation."

"Thanks," she said and watched him leave while she tried to think of a good way to explain away why Chad was standing so close to her and holding her hand.

"What was that about?" Kane finally asked.

"As I said, he's an old friend. He recognized me and stopped by to say hello."

"Wait, isn't that the same guy you were photographed with at Vanity Café when we first got married?"

Emilia swallowed hard. She had hoped he wouldn't recognize Chad. "Yes, that's him."

"How did he find us?"

"He didn't. This was merely a coincidence. He came here for a vacation just like us."

"Of all the places he could have gone to, he chose here? Randomly?"

"What are you insinuating? That I invited him?"

"Did you?"

"Of course, not! How could you even think that? I haven't seen Chad or heard from him in years! I wouldn't even know how to contact him if I wanted to."

"Huh..."

"Seriously, Kane. You don't actually believe that I invited my estranged ex-boyfriend to our anniversary honeymoon, do you?"

"That does sound pretty wild," he admitted.

"It does!"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that."

She smiled. "You look cute when you're jealous."

"I wasn't."

"Kane..."

"Ok, a little bit. I mean, what was I supposed to think when I see my wife in her hot bathing suit standing close to some strange guy who is holding her hand? What was he even saying to you?" "Should've, could've, would've. Same things men say when they lose a good woman."

"I should have knocked out his teeth when I had the chance."

"I'm glad you didn't. Let's go back. We're starting to look like lobsters."

"Lobsters in love."

"How do lobsters make love?"

"I'll show you when we get back to the house."

She laughed and hopped onto his back. He carried her to their maisonette, laughing and telling dry jokes that she laughed at.

When they got to the front porch, he put her down and kissed her deeply.

"I wish the rest of our marriage will always be like this, filled with laughter and love," he said softly.

"That makes two of us," she replied. "now, let's go inside and do what lobsters in love do."