My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan)
Open Billionaire 54

CHAPTER 054: Like Adults

It takes me about five seconds to regain my senses, and another five to decide what to do next.

One hand reaches for my phone, and I press the record button, feeling a strange calm settle over me They're so wrapped up in each other, so engrossed in their own world, they don't even notice me. It's almost laughable. For all her talk about image, appearances, about

doing things "right," here she is- splayed out on an office desk with someone who is very much not Ryan.

I guess the man's name is James because she cries out the name in a high, breathless gasp. "James! Oh, god. I'm cumming."

Her body begins to convulse. James growls and thrusts inside her one final time, pouring all his energy

into the moment.

They collapse together, spent and completely unaware. I stop recording, switch to voice memo, and slip the phone into my bag. I've got all the proof I need now.

And then I clap. Slow and steady, announcing my presence.

Emily's head jerks up, and the color drains from her face as she spots me. She scrambles off the table, tripping over herself to replace her clothes. The man-James, as I now know him-looks utterly baffled, pulling on his pants and reaching over to cut off the stereo that's been blaring some romantic tune in the background.

Emily stammers, clutching her shirt to her chest, "Julie, this-it's not what you think."

"Oh, really?" I fold my arms and lean against the doorframe, smiling. "Then, by all means, enlighten me."

She fumbles, looking around as if the right words might be scattered on the floor. "Julie... sometimes, people just... sometimes we fall astray, okay? Ryan barely has time for me anymore since you left. He's so obsessed with getting you back, it's like I'm invisible. And I need sex, Julie! I need attention!"

Right. I'm sure you're getting enough of that.

"The baby," I say, "Is it even Ryan's?"

She looks offended. "Of course it is!"

I raise an eyebrow, letting the silence stretch between us. "I don't think so."

"Julie, can't we just.... can't we just put all of this behind us?"

"Behind us?" I laugh, a loud, derisive sound that echoes in the empty office. "Oh, Emily, trust me, I'd love nothing more than to put this entire circus behind me. But you and your boss keep dragging me back into the freak show."

"Like I said, it's not what you think. I just needed some me time, Julie."

"Hey," James pipes up, looking between us with a confused frown. "So I'm just a distraction? That's all this was?

Emily flinches. "No, no, it's not like that, James. You're not just a distraction."

"Then what are you saying to Mrs. O'Brien?" His tone is ice cold now.

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CHAPTER 054 Like Adults

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"Can you just... let me handle this?" she hisses.

But James isn't having it. "No. You told me you were just sleeping with Mr. O'Brien to get a good position. at the company. Now you're trying to pass my child off as his?"

"It's not like that-"

I raise my hand, cutting her off. "As entertaining as this enlightening exchange is, I have a few things I'd like to say myself. First of all, I don't think I've ever said this properly, so here it goes-Emily, you are a bitch. A scheming, conniving, gold-digging little snake. But I have to give credit where it's due-you're a smart one. You wormed your way into the CEO's life. Congrats. You can keep him."

Her face is twisted in a scowl, but I continue, undeterred.

"You know, it makes perfect sense now, how you obtained that security footage. You were screwing him all along, weren't you?"

"Dating." James corrects. "We've been dating for months."

I give him a cold smile. "Thank you for the clarification, James. Really, it's so enlightening to know the depths of your romance."

Emily's eyes narrow, her mouth a tight line. "Congratulations, Julie. You caught us. You want a medal or something?"

"Oh, I'm sure I can come up with something more creative." I tap my bag lightly, where my phone sits with all the delicious evidence. "You know, it's a shame I'm such a perfectionist. Because I have a crystal-clear video of you screaming James's name at the top of your lungs. Not to mention, this entire conversation is on voice record. I'm sure the tabloids will be just as entertained as I am. What do you think they'll call it? CEO's Mistress Caught in the Act'?"

Emily's face goes white, a glint of pure fugy flashing in her eyes. She looks at me like she'd like to strangle me, to claw out every trace of satisfaction on my face. And honestly? I love it.

"Fine," she bites out. "Maybe we should all just... take a seat. Discuss things like adults."

"I don't want to sit. I'm pretty sure you've tainted every surface of this office."

She swallows, desperately trying to hold onto some semblance of control. "But... you must want something. It's why you recorded me, isn't it? So tell me. What do you want??

I hold her gaze, refusing to let the thin layer of confidence she's clinging to take root. Emily has always been good at this-good at wearing down people, twisting them around her finger, but she has never been up against me when I'm like this. "What do I want?" I repeat. "You'd think that'd be obvious by now."

She stands there, still clutching her blouse to her chest as though that pathetic scrap of fabric could somehow shield her from the truth. Her hair is mussed, makeup smeared, and her face is pale. James, meanwhile, has pressed himself against the wall, a deer in headlights as he watches us, like he's contemplating an escape route.

"I want a divorce," I say.

Emily scoffs. "Do I look like a family court to you?"

CHAPTER 054 Like Adults

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"Oh, I don't think you understand what I mean. I want a smooth and fast divorce, Emily. No mess. You can keep Ryan if that's what you really want."

"How am I supposed to help you achieve a smooth and fast divorce, Julie?"

I lean forward, savoring the way her posture straightens, the way she stiffens, clearly uncomfortable with how close I'm getting to her, "Simple. You have two days to get me some evidence of you and Ryan together that I can use in court. Something neat, something I can present without dragging you down with him."

Her jaw drops open, and she looks at me like I've just told her she has two days to fly to the moon. "And why on earth would I do that?"

I give her a mocking smile, tilting my head to the side. Because, as much as I hate repeating myself, I have a recording of you admitting you've been sleeping with Ryan. That alone is enough to ruin you. But I'm giving you a chance to keep your face out of it. A chance to stay anonymous." I let my gaze travel over her deliberately slow, enjoying the way her expression tightens with every word. "You know how people are about mistresses, don't you, Emily? It's a dirty title to carry, and one that sticks. I'm giving you an opportunity to walk out of this with at least a shred of dignity."