My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan)
Open Billionaire 13

CHAPTER 013: The Supply Closet

"I'm sorry," I say. "I just... I couldn't stand it anymore."

"Stand what?" Julie snaps. Her arms are crossed so tightly, I'm surprised her blouse doesn't tear at the seams. She's glaring at me like she wants to strangle me.

I take a deep breath, my eyes locking on hers. "Seeing you like that. You were barely holding it together back there, Julie. I couldn't take it anymore."

Her face falls, just for a second. I know I've hit a nerve. "And what do you think you're going to do about it?" she shoots back. "Drag me into a supply closet and fix my life?" "Wouldn't be the worst idea." I lean against the door. "I mean, this is a multi-purpose room, right? Might as well use it to solve a couple of personal crises."

"Wow, Luke," she scoffs, rolling her eyes so hard I'm pretty sure they're going to pop out of her head and roll away. "Very original. If this is your grand plan, you've lost it." "You're right. I've lost it," I reply, stepping closer, lowering my voice. "I've lost the patience to watch you suffer like this. You deserve better than Ryan, better than all of this mess."

"Oh really? And you think you're the answer to my problems? You? The guy who jokes about everything?"

I shrug. "Humor always works. It worked for you last night, didn't it? When you called about a bad dream."

She glares at me, but I catch the twitch of her lips like she's fighting a smile. "You're ridiculous."

"And yet you're still here, trapped in a supply closet with me," I say, taking another step closer. "What does that say about you?"

"That I've officially hit rock bottom," she mutters, crossing her arms tighter. "I don't need you to fix anything, Luke. I just want this to be over."

"And what is 'this,' exactly? Your marriage? Your life? Because the way I see it, you're still fighting for something." I reach out, my fingers brushing against her arm. She doesn't flinch this time. Doesn't pull away either.

"Stop," she whispers, her eyes closing for a moment. But there's no conviction in it. Just exhaustion.

"I can't stop," I say, stepping in even closer, my voice dropping. "I can't stop because you deserve better than this, Julie. And I'll keep telling you that until you believe it."

Her eyes snap open, blazing with a mix of anger and something else. "Better than what? Better than Ryan? He's my husband, Luke."

"And that's supposed to mean something? He's not even there for you. You know what he's doing while you're breaking yourself to hold everything together? Kissing Emily's ass at the office and probably her Hips too. You deserve someone who treats you like you're the center of his world."

Julie's face hardens, but there's a flicker of pain behind her eyes. She turns, pressing her back against the shelves like she's trying to disappear into the wall. "It's not that simple. You wouldn't understand."

"Try me," I challenge, stepping right into her space now, until there's barely an inch between us. "Divorce him, Julie. Leave his sorry ass behind. He's not worth the stress."

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CHAPTER 013. The Supply Clos

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"And what would I have left? Nothing?" she shoots back, her voice shaking. "I've already given up everything for him. My pride, my sanity, my-" she cuts herself off, biting her lip as if speaking any more would break her.

I swallow the anger boiling in my chest. "Fine. Then let's keep fighting," I say. "Since that's what you want, let's do it. We'll revive the plan. Play the game. Make him think you've moved on and can't stand to look back. We'll fake this relationship, take it up a notch. Make Ryan think you're the one in control now." Julie scoffs. "You're his business partner, Luke. It's crazy."

"It's perfect," I insist. "You've got leverage, Julie. If he thinks I'm on your side, he'll feel the heat. He can't afford to lose control over me, and he sure as hell won't let you go if he thinks you're the key to keeping me happy. Use that. When you start making demands like him kicking Emily out of his life-he'll have no choice but to do it."

She stares at me like I've sprouted a second head. "You're seriously suggesting I manipulate my husband?

"Your cheating husband. And yes, I am. You want him back? Fine. But do it on your terms. Not his."

Julie laughs. "And what exactly would that make me? You're telling me to build my marriage on what? Fear? Control? That's not love, Luke."

I step even closer, our bodies almost touching, my breath hot against her cheek. "Are we really talking about love when it comes to you and Ryan anymore? Or are you just fighting to win? Because I can't tell the difference."

Her eyes flash with something like desperation. "I want my husband back," she says. "But I want love too.

"You deserve love," I say, leaning in, so close I can smell the faint scent of her perfume. "You deserve to be loved right and by the right person."

For a moment, there's nothing but silence between us. Her breath catches, and I can feel the heat between us. She's searching my eyes, trying to figure out what's happening.

"This is crazy," she mutters. "We shouldn't be doing this."

"Maybe," I say, my voice rougher now. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop."

The door suddenly creaks open, and we both jump.