All Chapters of My Husband Wants An Open Marriage: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

I reach into the nightstand for the taser I’d brought up earlier. I click it on, letting the blue light crackle in my hand for a second before switching it off and holding it at my side. It’s not like I’ll need it—probably. But I love knowing I have it.As I descend the staircase, I hear their laughter, faint but grating, echoing through the front door. I take my time, each step deliberate, almost regal, like I’m finally walking into a role I was always meant to play. The queen of this godforsaken castle, here to set things straight.I swing open the door, and for a moment, there’s a stunned silence. Ryan and Emily are standing there, both frozen as they take me in. Ryan’s gaze travels slowly over me, lingering far too long, while Emily just gawks, blinking, her jaw slack.“Well, well,” Ryan says, recovering. “You’re back.”I smile, a slow, icy grin. “Of course, I’m back. Kindly take my presence in front of you as an eviction notice. The both of you are no longer allowed in this house

I’m finding it difficult to process what Grant just said.I stare at him, unsure if I heard him right. “She… she took the hard drives?”He nods, scratching his chin. “Took them out, said she needed them for ‘safe-keeping,’ and then told me to shut off the cameras in the house whenever anyone’s at home. Until further notice, she said. So I did. You weren’t around. So I figured she was the lady of the house.”I scoff, more to myself than to Grant. “She thinks she’s queen of everything she lays eyes on, yes. But she’s not the lady of the house, Grant. Not anymore.” My mind races, the implications of this news unfolding.“Well,” Grant says, “either way, she took them. All the hard drives.”“Did she say where she was taking them?”“Nope.” I let out a humorless laugh, unable to believe her audacity. Of course she took them—she’s always a few steps ahead, making sure there’s no proof of whatever stunt she’s planning to pull next. That woman is like a specter, lurking, quietly positioning he

Her eyes narrow, and I can see her mind working, trying to calculate, to reason her way out. The thought almost amuses me. “You think I’m just going to hand you over some video or photo of me and Ryan? Just like that?”“Oh, I don’t think it. I know it. Unless, of course, you’re alright with the alternative. I could always release this little masterpiece to the press. ‘CEO’s Mistress Caught Red-Handed.’ Imagine the headlines.”Emily’s face twists with fury. “You’re insane.”“Maybe,” I say. “But I’m not the one who’s spent weeks playing house in the CEO’s bedroom. A married man’s bedroom.”She clenches her jaw, glancing sideways at James, who looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. His gaze shifts between us, and I don’t miss the flare of anger in his eyes. This wasn’t part of his plan either, clearly.Emily forces a smile, her eyes pleading as she speaks in a syrupy tone that would be convincing if I didn’t know her so well. “Julie, come on. This is all getting out of hand. Isn’t ther

Emily looks like she’s about to explode. Ryan can see her clenching and unclenching her fists. Then she says, “Probably because I’m Ryan’s secretary?”“A secretary who was on her lunch break.”Emily lets out a humorless laugh. “Being on my lunch break doesn’t make me any less his secretary.”Ryan rubs his temples as if the mere presence of both women in the same room is giving him a headache. “Can you both stop? I’m going through enough as it is. I don’t need two women clawing each other’s eyes out in my office.”“Great,” Emily says. “I was just about to go.”“Oh, no, you’re not,” Adeline interjects. “I don’t trust whatever this is. I don’t trust you. If there’s something going on, now would be an excellent time to start talking.”Emily opens her mouth to retort, but Ryan has had enough. He stands abruptly, grabbing his jacket and briefcase with a sharp, determined motion.“Let’s go.” He strides toward Emily, nodding to the door. “I’ve had enough of my mother for one day.”“It’s still

~~Julie~~After minutes of struggling, Luke finally gets the old record player going, and the first notes of a tune spill into the room. I sit up on the bed, propping my chin in my hand as I watch him. There’s something so endearing in the way he messes with the dials, muttering little curses under his breath until the music flows right.“I can’t believe this thing works,” he says.I laugh, letting the warmth of his presence seep into me. “Just like old wine. Gets better with age.”He turns to me, his eyes glinting with that mischievous look he’s so good at. “Then I must be in trouble. Because you’re like wine. If you get better each year, I might actually die of drunkenness.”“Is that so?” I tilt my head, trying to hide my smile.“Absolutely,” he says, offering his hand. “Come on. Dance with me.”Without a second thought, I spring off the bed and into his arms, feeling his arm wrap around me as we start to sway to the music. It’s not graceful; I’m sure I’m stepping all over his feet,