Married On Paper To The Billionaire
Chapter 13: Between Life and Death

"Congratulations, darling. It is my pleasure to welcome you back to our home," said Elsie with the brightest smile ever.

"Thank you, Mother. I'm happy to be back," Emilia replied.

She'd finally given in to Kane's request and moved her things back into the Beaumont mansion. Every member of the family showed up to welcome her back, including Jack who still called Emily. Elsie threw a private dinner a few days later to officially announce the engagement to their extended families and close friends. Chloe was beyond ecstatic to be inside the grand mansion again. "We'll be having the wedding next month in Ireland," Kane announced during the five-course dinner.

Lillian gasped. "So soon? Why the hurry?"

"Why wait? Emilia and I are eager to spend every waking moment our lives together as husband and wife."

"Hear, hear!" Jack cheered.

"We have a lot of planning to do," Lara said excitedly.

"Don't worry, Mom. We have everything covered already. All Kane and I need on that day is everyone's presence." "Have you ordered your wedding dress then?" Lillian asked her.

"No. That should be easy."

"Honey, shopping for a wedding dress can be very chaotic but you're in luck because you have me!"

"Thank you, Lillian."

"When's the shopping?" Chloe asked her big sister.

"How about tomorrow? Is that convenient for everyone?" "Tomorrow's fine," said Lillian.

"I hope I'm invited," Lara asked.

"Of course, Mom. You must be there."

"I can't wait!" Chloe rejoiced.

"Will you be joining them, Mother?" Kane asked.

"Oh, no. That's way too exciting for me. Besides, I have to get to work on the wedding invitations."

"Mother, it's meant to be small wedding," Kane reminded her. "And we're not announcing the location either. We don't want those nosey paparazzi there."

"I know. Calm down. I'm only inviting a few important people, that's all."

After dinner ended and everyone retired for the night, Emilia and Kane hopped into his bed together after an explosive round of shower sex.

"I don't want us to have separate bedrooms anymore," she told him.

"I agree. This could be our bedroom and your room could be your walk-in closet."

"I already have a walk-in closet there. Why don't we join the two rooms together and make it one huge suite?"

"Like a mini apartment in the mansion?"

"Exactly."

"I like it. I'll call one of my architects to come and check it out tomorrow."

"Perfect."

Emilia loved how they were both in sync nowadays. They were like two peas in a pod; they enjoyed the same things and agreed on almost every topic.

She was glad that she gave their relationship a second chance. Was this what she would have missed out on if she hadn't? What a tragedy that would have been.

This morning came bright and sunny. It was a perfect reflection of Emilia's mood. She almost couldn't believe that she was about to go and shop for her wedding dress.

She was finally going to get that princess-y ball gown that she'd dreamed of wearing since she was a child.

"Do I get to see the dress before the wedding?" Kane asked her as he dressed for work.

"Absolutely not. You'll see it when I walk down the aisle."

"I can't wait."

"Neither can I."

Chloe was even more excited than she was. They all had breakfast together and then the day officially began.

They piled into the Mercedes truck that was roomy enough to contain four of them. One bodyguard drove with them besides the driver while two others followed them in a Ford van.

"We'll go to Elite Mall and check out all the bridal stores there," Lillian said casually.

"Elite Mall? They only sell designer outfits!" Chloe gushed. "I've always wanted to go there."

"You're not the one getting married, Chloe. Simmer down," her mother laughed.

"She's my maid of honour, so her excitement is very welcome," said Emilia.

They were welcomed into the mall by two of Lillian's personal shoppers. She'd called them ahead to let them know that she was coming.

Emilia liked the VIP treatment they were getting, and she imagined this was how she and her family would always be treated from now on. Her first time as a Beaumont was a total failure but she was ready for the premium lifestyle this time around.

The shoppers ushered them into the first boutique on their list and they were guided to sit on white plush couches. Then they were offered flutes of champagne to sip on while the dresses were brought out on racks for Emilia to choose from.

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"Ugh... this is gorgeous!" Lillian gushed as she admired a pearly white ball dress with handsewn crystals on the bodice.

"You should try it out!" Chloe said with wide eyes. "You'd look like a real-life princess."

"You got me with that one," Emilia laughed. "I'm trying it."

As she turned to follow her guide into the dressing room, she spotted a lady walking into the boutique wearing a wide-brimmed hat and huge sunglasses. She was probably a bridezilla who would drive the boutique attendants crazy with outrageous demands.

"Don't judge a book by its cover..." she muttered to herself and began to undress.

The dress was indeed pretty but heavy. Emilia managed to struggle into it but she couldn't zip up the back.

"Excuse me, can you please come inside and help me with the zipper?" She said and waited.

"Hello!" She called out when the attendant that came with her didn't respond.

Suddenly, the curtain blocking the changing booth swiped open and Kendra stepped in.

"Need help?" She asked with a grin.

Emilia gasped when she recognized her. She was the woman in a hat and sunglasses.

"What are you doing here?"

Kendra rolled her eyes. "You're so fond of asking stupid questions. Anyway, since you asked, here's my answer."

She dug into her handbag and brought out a gun. She pointed it at Emilia and her grin grew wider.

"Did you think I'd just sit back and let you win?" She asked angrily.

Emilia was terrified. She wanted to scream but her throat was clamped shut with fear.

"How dare you just show up from nowhere and try to steal Kane from me? Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Kendra put the gun away. This is dangerous!"

"Keep quiet! I am not going to let you marry Kane again. You don't deserve him. You don't deserve to mingle with the upper class, you shameless social climber."

"Listen, Kendra. Kane and I are in love. It's not my fault that things didn't work out between you two. You should at least be thankful that I didn't press charges against you for pushing me down the stairs and causing my miscarriage." "Shush!"

"Excuse me, Miss. Are you - ?"

The boutique attendant froze when she saw Kendra pointing a gun at Emilia inside the changing booth. Kendra turned to look at the lady and Emilia saw her perfect opportunity to make a move.

She grabbed Kendra's hand and tried to wrestle the gun from her rival. Kendra wouldn't let it go but instead released the hammer. The attendant ran away to call for help.

"Get off me, bitch!" Kendra screamed at Emilia before pushing her away.

Emilia fell and immediately struggled to get back on her feet. She never made it because Kendra pulled the trigger just then and sent her back to the floor.

****

Kane nearly fainted when he received the news of what had happened to Emilia. She'd been shot in the head by his ex-lover, Kendra.

Nobody knew for sure if she was still alive or not. He sprinted out of his office and raced into his car in record time. His heart was pounding madly inside his chest. "Please, don't die, Emilia. Please," he whispered to himself all through the ride to the hospital.

"Drive faster!" he yelled at his driver.

He wished he could just teleport himself to the hospital instead. The suspense of not knowing whether Emilia was alive or not was killing him.

As soon as the vehicle pulled to a stop in front of the hospital, he jumped out of the car and raced towards the entrance. There was already a handful of press people there, taking photos and asking passersby if they knew what truly happened. He was immediately recognized by the hospital staff, and they took him to the waiting room near one of the operating rooms. He met Lara, Chloe, Lillian, and the bodyguards there. The women were crying. "How is she?" He asked desperately.

"We don't know," Lara sobbed. "She's in surgery right now."

"Oh, my God..." he whispered.

"Kendra must rot in jail for this!" Lillian swore.

"Has she been arrested?" Kane asked.

"Yes. We called the police as soon as we heard the gunshot. She tried to escape but the bodyguards caught her."

The doctor came out of the OR just then. He didn't look happy at all.

"How's she?" Kane asked breathlessly.

"She's alive... for now."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry, Mr Beaumont, but your fiancée is in a very critical condition right now. I cannot say for certain if she would survive tonight."

"What are you saying?" Kane demanded. His voice shook with terror.

"I am saying that she's hanging between life and death. You should all prepare for the worst."