Married On Paper To The Billionaire
Chapter 10: Too Little, Too Late

"Granny, I'm home!" Emilia called out as she strolled into the house through the kitchen.

"I'm in the den!" Granny responded.

Emilia dropped her handbag on the kitchen table and went in search of her grandmother. When she entered the den and saw who was sitting with her grandma, the smile on her face melted. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi, Emilia," said Kane, rising to his feet.

"I'll excuse you two," Granny said, rising too.

"Stay right there, Granny!"

Her grandmother promptly obeyed and lowered her bum on the soft couch. She already knew that there'd be hell to pay for allowing Kane into the house.

"What the hell are you doing here, Kane Beaumont?"

"I came to apologize to you."

"Save it! Now, get out of here before I call the police to report a disturbance."

"Your anger is justified, Emilia. I'm sorry I let you down."

"You let yourself down. I think you should go back to your beloved fiancée right now."

"I called off the engagement."

"Good for you. Now, leave!"

"Emilia, please..." her grandmother appealed softly.

"Stay out of this, Granny. Get out of my grandmother's house, Kane!"

"Please, hear me out. I always prided myself in being an intelligent guy but Kendra had me completely fooled."

"Don't say that name in this house!"

"She confessed. She admitted to pushing you down the stairs and setting you up with your ex."

"I knew it was her. I just couldn't prove it."

"She's gone now, Emilia, and she can never hurt you again. I promise."

"You promise? That's too little too late, Kane. I don't need your promises. You failed me and my family."

"And for that, I am immensely sorry. I promise to undo the damage I've done. I'm already in talks with your father to resume our cooperation."

"I don't bloody care! That's between you and my father. In fact, that nonsense cooperation was what landed me in this mess in the first place. I don't want to be a part of it anymore." "Please, Emilia. Give me a chance to fix this."

"No. I want you to leave right now. Go back to your pregnant lover."

"She's not pregnant. She lied. She connived with a corrupt doctor to forge the pregnancy test result."

"And you never thought to get a second opinion? Her coochie must fire for you to always believe her without a doubt. Unfortunately, you couldn't extend that grace to me too."

"I am sorry. I should have trusted you more. Please, give me a chance to correct my mistakes."

"No," she said stubbornly. "I want you to leave right now and never show your face here again. I don't ever want to talk to you again!"

He sighed in defeat. "All right, then. If that's what you want."

"It is."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Bertha. Goodbye."

"You're welcome, dear," Granny replied sadly. "Have a safe trip home."

Emilia stepped out of the way to let him pass. Even in her anger, her body reacted so strongly to his presence that she had to dig her heels into the carpeted floor to stop herself from diving into his arms. She waited until she heard the sound of his car pulling out of the driveway before she broke down. All the tension she'd been holding inside poured out of her and she wept bitterly.

Granny led her to the couch and tried to console her while she cried her eyes out.

"He broke my heart," she sobbed.

"I know, darling. I know."

"How dare he come back here to ask for a second chance? How dare he?"

"People make mistakes, Emilia. Nobody is perfect, not even you."

"He treated me like trash, Granny. All I ever did was love him and try my best to be a good wife to him."

"I know."

"He threw all of that in my face and believed the lies he was told. What kind of a person is that?"

"A flawed person, just like the rest of us."

"Whose side are you on, Granny? You should be supporting me."

"I am. Can't you see he has realized his mistakes? Do you know how much courage it must have taken him to come here and seek your forgiveness?"

"So what? I'm supposed to just forget everything he did and hop into his car like a fool? Just because he said sorry?"

"What do you want then?"

Emilia paused to think about Granny's question. What did she want? What would it take for her to believe that Kane was truly remorseful for his actions?

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 want to go upstairs, wash my face and change my clothes."

Granny was confused. "What has that got to do with my question."

"Nothing. I'm meeting with Matt in a few minutes for a picnic at Lake Vida and then we'll go to Francine's house for an open-air movie night."

"Oh, I see... I'm surprised that Mason girl allowed you to tag along with Matt. She's had a crush in him since kindergarten."

Emilia chuckled. "They're just good childhood friends. Matt speaks fondly of her."

"I'm sure he does. Matt is a good boy but he's as blind as a bat when it comes to matters of the heart. I'm surprised that he's going all out for you as he does." "Granny! Matt and I are just friends."

"Well, I better mind my business then. I just hope he doesn't get his heart broken in the end."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing. I better go get dressed too. I'm meeting Shirley at the town hall for a game of checkers. She beat me the last time. Today's my turn."

Granny left her in the den and went upstairs. Emilia couldn't help but ponder about her grandmother's comment regarding Matt.

Should she stop encouraging his attention and keep him at arm's length? Will their friendship ever truly blossom into an intimate relationship? What about Kane?

"Crap!" She muttered in frustration. She had everything figured out until Kane showed up.

"See you later, darling!" Granny bade her farewell as she left the house.

"Bye!"

Now, she wasn't so sure if she still wanted to hang out with Matt anymore today. Maybe she should call him and cancel. He'd be so disappointed.

She went to the bathroom to wash her face and then she went to her bedroom to change her clothes. As much as she was angry with Kane, she felt relieved that he finally knew the truth. Her phone rang. It was Matt calling.

"Oh, dear!" She gasped.

She'd wasted so much time dilly-dallying that she hadn't realized how much time had passed.

"I'm so sorry, Matt. I got carried away with... er... chores."

"It's ok. I can meet you at your place and we can go to the lake together from there."

She didn't want that but she didn't have the heart to tell him no.

"Sure. That would be nice."

As soon as she showed up and saw her, he knew something was wrong.

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! "What is it, Emilia? Have you been crying?"

She was impressed by his observation. Would Kane have noticed if she'd been crying all day?

"No. I'm ok," she said with a fake smile.

"Are you sure?"

That question shattered her fragile defense. Tears poured out of her eyes before she could stop them. Her body shook as she cried and Matt gathered her in his arms.

"Oh, Emilia, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's not you. It's Kane. He was here today."

Matt stiffened. "Why?"

"He came to apologize. He found out the truth about Kendra and what she did to me."

"And?"

"He wants me back."

"Oh..."

"I said no, of course," she said quickly.

"Why?"

"Why not? Was I supposed to just say 'ok, thanks for the apology' and then jump into his arms? He hurt me, Matt. He and that horrible woman!"

"So, what are you going to do now?"

"What do you mean? I don't have to do anything. I'm staying here and moving on with my life."

"What about your father's business?"

"What about it? Weren't you the one who said that I shouldn't allow myself to be used like a pawn on a chessboard?"

"Yes, but from your reaction just now, I can tell that you and Kane have unfinished business."

"What are you saying, Matt?" She asked, looking into his eyes.

"I'm saying you shouldn't miss your next shot at happiness because of me. You still have feelings for Kane, and that's why I'll never be anything but a friend to you."

She was touched by his wisdom. He was such a sweet, sweet guy.

"I want you to be happy, Emilia. Even if it means losing you to Kane."

"Do you mean that?"

"Yes. I mean it with all of my heart. Go and be happy, Emilia."