Marry My Billionaire Second Husband - Chapter 140

Chapter 140: Three Guesses
“You… You’re disowning me?” Emmeline’s mouth fell open, despair overwhelming her features. Her glassy eyes stared at her grandfather, hoping to see a semblance of a smile, a cheeky grin― anything to prove that he was simply joking.

Because he couldn’t be serious. He could not be threatening to disown her over… over this farce of a marriage announcement!

“You’re choosing Amelia over me?” Emmeline continued, her voice reaching unprecedented highs. Every servant in the Hawthorne household would have heard the news.

“Father! You must be joking!” The sheer ridiculousness of Horace Hawthorne’s words resulted in Annalise loosening her tongue. If she did not speak up now to defend Emmeline’s right to inherit, she might as well kiss her status in the family goodbye.

“Aiden isn’t terrible, but he’s definitely not a good enough match for Emmeline. If you must marry Emmeline off, please consider picking someone else!”

“Mother! I don’t want anyone else!” Emmeline wailed, nearly beating her fists on the floor as though she was a five-year-old child throwing a temper tantrum. “I only want Matteo! Not his idiot brother!”

“Silence!” Annalise scolded, her eyebrow twitching at her daughter’s childish behavior. The shocking news must have caused her to take leave of her senses― couldn’t she tell that Annalise was desperately trying to buy time for her to find an alternative? With Horace’s old age and failing health, stalling a possible engagement was a viable tactic to use.

But her daughter couldn’t think that far ahead. When it came to Matteo, she had taken leave of all her senses.

“My mind is made up,” Horace Hawthorne said gravely in response. “If Emmeline wishes to marry anyone else, she is free to do so, as long as she gives up all claim to the Hawthorne fortune. The choice is hers.”

Emmeline’s hands clawed down her face. This was no choice at all!

Then Horace took a look at his watch and sighed. “I’ve wasted enough time on this. Emmeline, your dress fitting is scheduled for next week. If you do not show up, I will assume your decision is made, and act accordingly. I shall be off.”

He raised an arm, and a servant came to help him up from the armchair, mindful of all the glass shards littered all over the floor. He took one last look at his beloved granddaughter who stared at him unblinkingly in disbelief, as though seeing him for the first time.

After all, Emmeline was used to throwing tantrums to get her way.

His heart ached for her, but it had to be done. Some lessons had to be harsh, to ensure they would stick. If Emmeline was not married off, Matteo Montgomery might decide to get his revenge in another, more permanent manner.

He walked away, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.

***

“So do you have time to hear some news that could be shocking to you?” Aiden asked without preamble as he dragged an office chair to Amelia’s cubicle, plopping himself beside her with the ease of a spoiled house cat that knew he had the right to every inch of his territory.

“Excuse me?” Amelia asked. She didn’t receive any memo that Aiden was due to visit, which meant that this was unplanned. Her hand hovered over the landline, wondering if she should call Matteo to come out.

Well, that would depend on what news Aiden was planning on delivering. If it was another invitation to go on a bike ride, she would slam the call button immediately.

“I do not want to know about any digestive issues you might be facing. You know where the toilets are,” Amelia said with a raised eyebrow.

“Foul, Amelia, and very insulting. I must have you know my bowels are in pristine condition,” Aiden said, clearing his throat. “But I will give you three guesses. Come on. If you get it correct, I’ll give you my firstborn, just like in that fairy tale.”

He seemed to vibrate under her attention, enthusiastically waiting for her response.

“I don’t want your children,” Amelia said instead. “And you’re mixing up your stories. Are you going to spin cloth into gold―”

Aiden interrupted her with a world-weary sigh, as though Amelia had disappointed him. “Just guess. Stop being nitpicky.”

Amelia sighed too. She wasn’t going to get any work done for Matteo or the charity with him hovering around her like a persistent fly, so she might as well make her guesses.

“You… sold your motorcycle?” Amelia guessed.

“Good guess, but not even close,” Aiden replied, making a disappointed noise. “Second chance.”

“You have decided to settle down with one woman,” Amelia said, and Aiden had a surprised look.

“Not entirely correct, but closer, I give you that. You must be psychic. Or did my dear brother tell you something?”

“Matteo hasn’t told me anything, so I’m just guessing,” Amelia said, a mischievous thought forming in her head. It was bound to be inaccurate, but it would be hilarious to see Aiden’s reaction.

“Third guess, final guess!”

“You’re marrying a man, and you want my blessing,” Amelia declared, with all seriousness. She reached out her hand to clasp Aiden’s own in a firm handshake.

“I appreciate you coming out to me. As long as you’re not marrying Caleb Walton, just know that I do not think any less of you, and I’m very proud that you have accepted this part of yourself. You deserve to be happy―”

“No! You’re so off! One million miles off!” Aiden lamented, aggrieved, shaking off her hand. Any other time, and he would have delighted in holding Amelia’s hands, but not when he had such a grave misconception to clear up.

The look of petulance was so strong on his face that Amelia immediately burst into laughter. “Wait, you did that on purpose!”

“Well, yes,” Amelia said, not even feeling the least bit guilty. “You made it too easy.”

Aiden groaned. “Truthfully, I liked you more when you were wary of me. Now I feel so attacked.”

“You invited yourself over,” Amelia said, helpfully reminding him that this was a problem of his own making. “You can leave if you want. Like I said, the door’s right there.”

“Ha bloody ha, you’re not getting rid of me that easily,” Aiden said, and he slumped down his chair. “I can’t believe I have to get married to Emmeline Hawthorne in a month. Fuck my life.”

“You’re what?” Amelia’s mouth fell open in shock. She must have misheard. “You’re marrying her― How? Why?!”

“Say it a little louder, I don’t think everyone heard you,” Aiden said dryly. “Then again, everyone will know about it sooner or later. Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe your grandfather saw us interacting and thought we were a good match? Who knows what goes on in that head of his?”

Amelia could relate, but her heart cheered at the thought of Emmeline finally being someone else’s problem.

“My condolences,” Amelia said, trying to sound sorry but not really succeeding. “I wish your marriage well.”

“Oh shut it, I know you’re obviously happy she’s out of your hair,” Aiden complained. “I’m here to ask for help to get out of it! I need to ruin this engagement!”