My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan)
Open Billionaire 39

CHAPTER 039: For Luke

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CHAPTER 039: For Luke

Her gaze meets mine, and the intensity in them makes my heart race. "I thought..." she says. "I thought we could just enjoy this. But you're right. It is more."

"More?"

"Yeah, more. But I'm scared."

"Scared of what?" I ask, brushing my thumb over her cheekbone. "Of feeling too much? Of getting hurt?"

"Of it all. I've been through so much."

I nod, absorbing her words. I can see the pain lurking just beneath the surface, a shadow that threatens to swallow her whole if she lets it. "Julie, I get that. But you're not alone in this. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. We can take it slow, figure it out together." "You really mean that?"

"Absolutely," I promise, meaning every word. "But I need you to trust me."

Her breath hitches, and I can feel the weight of the moment hanging between us. "Okay," she says. "I'll try."

"Good." I lean in, brushing my lips against her forehead. "That's all I ask."

We settle into a comfortable silence. I feel her heartbeat steadying against my chest, and it calms my own racing heart.

But then, just as I'm drifting into a blissful sleep, Julie bolts upright.

"Oh, no! I almost forgot!" She jumps out of bed, grabs one of her oversized T-shirts from the closet and slips it over her head.

"Forgot what?" I ask.

"I got something for you."

She rummages through her bag in the corner of the room, her movements hurried and a bit frantic. When she replaces what she's looking for, she straightens, clutching a small, sleek box wrapped in a simple black ribbon.

She walks over to me, holding it out with a smile that's somehow both shy and daring, as if she's not sure how I'll react. "Here. This is for you."

I sit up fully, taking the box from her, raising an eyebrow as I study her expression. "What's this?" I ask, suspicious as I shake it slightly. "Just open it, smartass."

pull the ribbon off and flip open the box, and I can't stop the low whistle that escapes me when I see what's inside: an exquisite wristwatch. It's a Patek Philippe, classic yet striking, with a black leather strap and a sleek silver face. The kind of watch that probably costs a lot. "Wow. This is... this is beautiful," I say, genuinely taken aback as I lift it from the box, feeling the weight of it in my hands. "Looks expensive, too."

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CHAPTER 039: For Luke

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Julie shrugs, but there's a glint of mischief in her eyes

"What's the occasion?"

She bites her lip. "I don't know, Ryan unfroze my funds, and as the Uber was taking me away from my meeting with Maya... I just thought, why the hell not. Even had your name inscribed on it."

I flip the watch over, and sure enough, there it is. 'For Luke; From Julie' engraved in simple, elegant script. Something about it stirs a warmth deep inside me, a sentiment I'm not used to feeling, especially when it comes to gifts.

"It's beautiful," I say. "Thank you."

"No." She shakes her head. "Thank you. You've been my only friend."

I don't know how to respond to that. I reach out, pulling her close, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead." You know what? I'm going to wear it to my meeting tomorrow."

""What meeting?"

"The one where I'm going to terminate my contract with the O'Briens."

She stares at me in shock. "You... you're serious?"

"Yup." I clasp the watch around my wrist, adjusting it to fit. "They don't own me, and they don't get to treat you like garbage without consequences. I've been thinking about it for a while, but I was waiting for the right moment. I think that moment's here." Her mouth opens, then closes, like she's struggling to replace the right words. "But Luke, I don't want you to do something you'll regret because of me."

I reach out, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Julie, I don't make decisions lightly. This isn't just because of you. It's for me too. I want out, and you were just the push I needed."

She hesitates. "But... this could affect everything. Your reputation, your business connections. They're powerful people."

"So am I. And they're about to replace out just how much."

For a moment, she just stares at me. "You're really something, you know that?"

I chuckle, pulling her closer until our foreheads touch. Yeah, well, so are you."

It's noon, and my meeting with Ryan is set to begin in a couple of minutes.

Stepping into Paragon Jewels doesn't feel as it used to. Back then, I always had a thrill because I knew Julie's office was just a few miles away. Now, there's nothing to look forward to.

And like before, Ryan has sent the smiling Lucy to accompany me.

She approaches with that signature fake smile. "Mr. Martinez, welcome. I'm Lucy, and I'll-"

"I remember you," I say. "At this point, it's safe to assume you people don't trust my memory. Afraid I'll wander off into some forgotten corner of this palace?"

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CHAPTER 039: For Luke

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"Oh, no, Mr. Martinez," she replies, smiling wider. "You're a dignitary. Dignitaries are escorted."

How she manages to keep such a straight face while selling this brand of nonsense is beyond me. But I let it go, falling in line beside her, ignoring the way she sneaks glances at the man beside me, Jerome Bush, my lawyer. When we reach the elevator, she presses the button and looks up at me with a sweetness that almost turns my stomach. "Mr. O'Brien will be waiting in his office, Mr. Martinez."

"Wonderful. Let's not keep the man waiting.'