Married On Paper To The Billionaire
Chapter 36: The Reboot

"Granny's dead. She passed away this morning," Emilia's mother informed her over the phone the following morning.

"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry, Mom."

"Thanks, darling," her mother replied brokenly and blew her nose.

"I'm coming home with Travis today. We'll be on our way soon."

"That would be nice. We're heading to the countryside later today. Daddy's not going with us, though. He'll join us tomorrow after he's sorted out things in the restaurants." "Ok. We'll see you soon."

After she hung up, Emilia curled up in her bed again and cried. Granny was gone. She'd never feel her grandmother's warm embrace anymore or hear her calm singsong voice. She wished she could cry all day but that wasn't possible. She needed to get Travis ready for the trip to her parent's home.

"Where are you going?" Lillian asked her as she and Travis marched behind the maids who were dragging her packed bags towards the front door.

"We're going to my parents' house. My grandmother died this morning."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. When will you be back?"

"I don't know yet. We'll be going to Wyoming later today. That's where my grandmother lived before she died."

"Oh..."

"Please, extend my regards to Mother."

"Have you told Kane you're leaving?"

"Yes, I told him last night."

"Last night? I thought you said your grandmother died this morning. How did you know about it from last night?"

Emilia wasn't interested in telling Lillian about her separation from Kane. Let him be the one to tell his family.

"I already intended to go to my parents' today. It's simply coincidental that my grandmother died this morning and now I have to leave anyway."

"Oh, I see..."

"Goodbye."

"See you soon."

"I hope not," Emilia muttered when she stepped outside. She wasn't sure she would return to the mansion as long as that lunatic and her mother remained there.

The drive to the Taylor home was a sobering one. When she arrived, her dad had already left for his restaurant. Her mother and sister were already done packing their bags and were drinking tea at the dining table. "Welcome, welcome!" Lara greeted her daughter and grandson. Her eyes were a bit puffy from crying so much.

Chloe ignored Emilia and busied herself with blowing off steam from her teacup. She too looked as if she'd been crying. "Hey, Chloe," Emilia greeted her casually. The only response she got was the sound of her sister slurping her tea. Travis giggled at the sound and Lara rolled her eyes. Emilia got the message loud and clear and she walked away. Their mother didn't seem to notice the awkwardness between them because she was busy playing with her grandson. "When are we leaving?" Emilia asked.

"As soon as our driver arrives. If Daddy was around, he'd drive us."

"We don't need a driver for that. I can drive," said Emilia.

"Don't be silly. Imagine how embarrassing it would be if someone out there recognized you behind the wheel. We don't want any unnecessary backlash to your family, you know."

"Don't be ridiculous, Mom. There's nothing embarrassing about driving a car by myself!"

"You're a Beaumont and Beaumonts don't drive themselves."

"Oh, please!"

"I insist. The driver will be here any minute now."

The middle-aged driver showed up shortly after and they began their trip to the countryside. Travis slept throughout the trip and it gave Emilia the peace she needed to sit with her thoughts while admiring the view. They arrived at Granny's house by late afternoon. The place was filled with her church friends and neighbors who had been very helpful in getting Granny's body to the morgue after it had been discovered in her bed by her bestie, Fran. "She passed away in her sleep," Fran explained. "We were supposed to go for an early morning prayer meeting in church today. She never locks her doors, so I came in and went straight upstairs to wake her. She had the most peaceful look on her face and I just knew."

Lara began to cry and everyone rallied around her to console her. She was her mother's only surviving child as her older brother had died six years ago in a car crash.

Granny's friends began to share their favorite stories of her and her most memorable anecdotes. Before long, everyone was laughing and the mood in the house was lifted.

Later on, Lara and her daughters thanked the kind women and the handful of elderly men who were present. Then they made the trip to the morgue to see Granny's body before going to the town's only funeral home to discuss plans for the funeral.

Chloe continued to give Emilia the silent treatment and eventually, their mother noticed.

"What's going on with you two? You haven't spoken to each other all day?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Chloe said and left the kitchen where three of them were preparing dinner.

Lara faced Emilia. "Well?"

"It's nothing, Mom. She's just in her feelings."

"What does that mean?"

"That she's in a funky mood and it's not my fault. Come on, let's finish this pot roast quickly. I'm starving."

י

Their mother let the matter drop because neither of them was willing to tell her the truth. Kane called Emilia later that night to express his condolences.

"Why didn't you tell me before leaving?" he asked.

"I told you I was leaving last night, didn't I?"

"I meant about your grandmother."

"What difference does it make if I told you by myself or not? You've heard now, haven't you?"

He sighed. "Fine. How's my son?"

"He's well."

"May I speak with him?"

"He's asleep. Call back tomorrow morning."

"Ok. Good night."

She hung up and tossed her phone on a nearby couch as if she found the device annoying.

"Was that Kane?" Her mother asked her.

"Yes."

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! "You sounded cold to him. Is everything alright?"

"No. We're in the process of separation."

"What?"

"I can't stand living in the same house with him and his mistress anymore."

"Well, you have a point there. Kane and his family keep disrespecting you relentlessly. That woman should be in jail, not living like a princess in a mansion."

"It's just so ridiculous. They will do anything to keep their immaculate reputation intact."

"How long is this separation for?"

"I don't know and I don't even want to think about it. Let's just get through Granny's funeral and then we'll take it one day at a time."

Lara sighed. "I hope you're not planning to divorce him. Don't let that crazy woman win."

"I'm tired of competing with other women for Kane's respect. I shouldn't have to compete with anyone for his love and affection. I've never done that to him."

"You're right but - "

"No buts, Mom. Let's leave this topic for now. I'm going to Granny's room. I'll look through her things and replace a suitable dress for her to wear. I want her to go to heaven looking fabulous." Lara nodded slowly and fought back tears. When Emilia got upstairs, she was surprised to see Chloe curled up in Granny's bed. She was asleep and there were streaks of dried tears on her face. Emilia stepped out and closed the door softly. She would come back in the morning to replace the dress. She didn't want to accidentally wake her sister and get her head bitten off.

Their father arrived the next morning and they began to plan the funeral. Granny's doctor had assured them that there was no need for an autopsy as Granny was in good health before she passed on. She'd died of old age. D-Day was set for Friday which was three days away. Everything went as planned except for Emilia running into Matt at the funeral. He was looking more handsome and put together than she remembered.

She'd wanted to avoid him when she spotted him first, but then he saw her and hurried over to say hello before she could flee.

"Hi, Emilia. Or should I say, Mrs Beaumont?"

"Emilia is fine. How are you, Matt?"

"Great. Is that your son with your dad?"

"Yes, that's Travis."

"I'm sorry about the other one. What are the police saying? Are they making any headway with the search?"

She shook her head sadly. "They've stopped searching for her. I've made my peace with the possibility of never seeing her again."

"Please, don't say that. She might still be found."

"Might..."

"Yeah, I know. Where's your husband?"

"On a flight to Japan for business as we speak. He sent his condolences."

"Oh..."

An awkward silence stretched between them as Emilia studied her nails while Matt absently drew circles in the dirt with the toe of his boot.

"So - "

"How - ?"

They'd spoken at the same time and then dissolved into giggles. It was so silly that they were acting like goofy teenagers around each other. Emilia found it cute that he was just as attracted to her as she was to him. "You go first," she said.

"Matt!"

Both of them turned to look at the newcomer who was a tall brunette with glittering blue eyes and a wide smile.

"Oh, hi, Molly. I thought you already left with your folks," he said to the cute lady.

"Nah. I was waiting for you while Mom chatted with Fran and the others. Hello!" "Hi," Emilia responded to the friendly greeting.

"Molly, this is Bertha's granddaughter, Emilia Beaumont."

Molly gasped. "Oh my gosh! You're from the Beaumont family? The rich Beaumonts?"

Emilia nodded, feeling a little weird about the family name description.

"Sorry about your grandmother's passing," Molly continued. "She was such a nice old lady."

"Thank you, Molly."

Emilia gave Matt a meaningful look, prompting him to explain who Molly was because the leggy brunette had her arm around his waist right now.

He got the message and cleared his throat nervously. "Uh, Molly is my fiancée," he said.

Molly's grin grew wider and she flashed her engagement ring in Emilia's face and said, "Pow!"

"Oh, I - I mean, wow. That's lovely. Congratulations."

"We're having a spring wedding," Molly announced. "I can't wait to be Mrs Webster!"

Her excessive excitement was off putting but Emilia smiled and congratulated her again.

"I better go and join my family," she said. "It was nice meeting you guys. Enjoy the rest of your day and thank you for coming to Granny's funeral."

She hurried off while the couple's response bounced off her back as she left. She didn't know why she was so infuriated.

It wasn't like Matt was her boyfriend or anything. Besides, she too was still married to Kane. So, why the heck was she annoyed that Matt was engaged to Molly?

The next day, everyone was ready to hit the road and head back to the city except Emilia. She told them she'd like to spend a few more days in Wyoming with Travis before joining the others.

"You can't hide here forever," her mother told her softly. "but take your time and come back home when you're ready."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Take your time," her mother repeated and left.

It felt good to have the quaint village house all to herself and her little son. This place was the perfect spot for healing.

"It's me and you now, Travy," she said to her toddler son.

He giggled at her while he continued to play with a plastic spatula that he'd copped from the kitchen. He was just happy to have a new plaything to explore.

"Yes, this is going to be a good place to reboot," she said to herself. She couldn't wait to settle into country life properly.