My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan)
Open Billionaire 73

CHAPTER 073: Play Nice

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CHAPTER 073: Play Nice

"Elaine!" Ryan hisses.

"What?" she says, looking unfazed. "I'm cutting to the chase. No one wants a dramatic buildup, especially not you."

The doctor clears his throat, adjusting his glasses. "Well, let's start with the biopsy results, shall we?"

Ryan feels his pulse quicken as the doctor pulls up a file on his computer. The room feels hot. His eyes dart to Elaine, who's looking at the doctor like he's about to offer her stock tips instead of potentially life-altering

news.

The doctor's face is neutral as he scans the screen. Ryan wonders if they can hear his heart pound.

"Alright," the doctor says, looking up. "The lump we removed was benign."

Ryan blinks. "What?"

"Benign," the doctor repeats. "Non-cancerous. No further treatment is required, though we'll want to monitor you with regular check-ups to ensure no changes over time."

For a moment, Ryan doesn't breathe. The words hang in the air, refusing to sink in. Then the relief hits him. He slumps back in his chair, his head falling into his hands. "Oh, thank God."

Elaine claps her hands together, the sound sharp and startling. "Well, isn't that wonderful?" she says. "I guess we don't have to start shopping for coffins after all."

Ryan lifts his head to glare at her. "Do you ever stop?"

"Not when I'm having this much fun."

The doctor clears his throat. "I understand this has been a stressful time for you, Mr. O'Brien. If you have any further concerns, we can discuss them now."

Ryan shakes his head, still dazed. "No, I... I just... thank you."

The doctor nods. "Of course. Take care of yourself."

"Actually," Elaine says, "I have a concern."

Ryan's head snaps toward her. He doesn't know why, but he's suddenly nervous.

Elaine leans forward, her elbows resting on the desk. "I'd like to know what it would take to get a positive diagnosis."

The room freezes.

"I beg your pardon?" the doctor says.

"You see, my son here is going through a rough time with his wife. It's gotten to the point of a divorce. The trial is next week. And, well, I really wished he had cancer. You know, something to keep her from leaving him. Nothing too serious, of course. Just enough to pull on those heartstrings."

Ryan's jaw drops, but no sound comes out. He feels like he's been hit by a bus, his brain struggling to catch up

CHAPTER 073: Play Nice

with what just came out of her mouth.

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Elaine doesn't even glance at him. She's too busy giving the doctor her most sympathetic, woe-is-me expression. "If that's the only thing I can do for him before I die, I'd empty my bank account for it." She leans in closer, lowering her voice. "You see, I have just three months left on this earth."

The doctor stares at her, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. He finally replaces his voice, though it's strained at best. "I... I don't think I understand-"

"Oh, come now," Elaine cuts him off. "Surely there's a way to tweak those results. A little creative paperwork, maybe? I won't tell anyone, I promise." She flashes him a wink that makes Ryan want to crawl under the desk and die. "Elaine!" Ryan says.

She turns to him. "What? I'm trying to help."

The doctor clears his throat again, but this time it's less polite, more like he's trying to choke down the urge to yell. "Mrs. O'Brien, I'm afraid I must remind you that falsifying medical records is not only unethical but also illegal. And frankly, this suggestion is-"

"Oh, spare me the lecture. You don't understand. I'm a mother at the end of her rope. My son is falling apart before my very eyes, and if there's even the slightest chance I can save his marriage, I'll do whatever it takes

Ryan slumps in his chair, his face buried in his hands. He can't believe this is happening. "Elaine, stop," he says, though it's more to himself than anyone else.

"Mrs. O'Brien," the doctor says. "I must insist-"

"Oh, don't Mrs. O'Brien me," she snaps. "You don't know what it's like to watch your child lose everything! You sit there in your fancy office, with your fancy degrees, judging me while my heart is breaking!" Ryan lifts his head just in time to see the doctor's face shift from professional patience to thinly veiled annoyance.

"Mrs. O'Brien," he says, his voice measured but firm. "This is a medical facility. I have other patients to attend to. If you're done, I'd appreciate it if you both left."

"You're throwing us out? After I've poured my heart out to you?"

"Yes," the doctor replies. "I am."

Ryan doesn't wait for Elaine's rebuttal. He's already out of his chair, grabbing her by the arm and dragging her toward the door.

"This isn't over!" Elaine hisses as they exit. "Mark my words, Dr. Fancy Suit, you'll regret this!"

Ryan keeps his head down as they pass the receptionist. This, he thinks, might be the worst day of his life.

And yet, as they step into the parking lot, he can't help but marvel at Elaine's sheer audacity. For all her flaws -and there are many-she could've had a stellar career on Broadway.

"What the hell was that about?" he asks, as soon as they're near his car.

"What was what about?"

CHAPTER 073: Play Nice

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"Oh, cut the bullshit," he snaps, spinning to face her. The afternoon sun beats down on them, glinting off the glossy surface of his car. He folds his arms. "I called you here for emotional support, and that's what I thought you'd be giving. But what you just pulled in there? That wasn't support. That was insanity."

"Insanity? I call it commitment."

"By trying to bribe a doctor?"

She waves him off. "Oh, grow up, Ryan: You've lived in your cushy little bubble your entire life, and you don't know how the world works."

"What does that even mean?"

"It means," she says, stepping closer, "when you want something, you fight for it. If the easy way isn't working out-and it rarely does, by the way-you go for the jugular. You think all those couples celebrating fifty years of marriage got there because they always did the right thing? No. Sometimes, you have to go to extremes for the people you love."

Ryan blinks at her, his jaw tightening. "And you think this was about love?"

"Of course it was. I know you love Julie. You're so stupidly in love with her that it physically disgusts me. Do you think I'd waste my time on this circus act if I didn't think you had a shot?"

"There's no saving my marriage, Elaine." The words come out flat, resigned. "Julie doesn't want me."

Elaine shrugs, leaning against the car. "Maybe not. But she could still be your friend."

• "Friend? After everything?"

"Don't underestimate the power of impending death," she says. "It weakens even the strongest of hearts. Sure, you were a piece-of-shit husband. But you've been good to me. And we made a deal before my arraignment, didn't we? Let me settle my end of it." Ryan exhales, his head falling forward until it rests against the car's roof. The metal is hot against his skin, grounding him. "God, I miss her," he mutters, almost to himself.

Elaine places a hand on his shoulder. "I know. We don't need that quack doctor anyway. I'll send her a message, get things rolling. All you have to do is play nice." He lifts his head, eyes narrowing. "Play nice?"

"Drop the charges. Support the divorce. Act like you're okay with her new relationship. Be the picture of maturity and selflessness. Women adore that shit." "You think that'll work?"

"It'll at least get her talking to you," Elaine says. "And from there, who knows? You're charming when you're not being a sulking brat. You'll be fine."

Ryan smiles. "You know, you'd have made a great mother in another life."

She looks at him, her smile bittersweet. "I know," she says. "But not this one."

For a moment, Ryan thinks he sees something raw in her expression, something vulnerable and unguarded. But just as quickly, she masks it with her usual bravado. +25 BONUS

CHAPTER 073: Play Nice

"Well," she says, clapping her hands, "let's get out of this dump, shall we? You're buying lunch." "Whatever," Ryan says. And then he watches her walk to her car.

For all her chaos and manipulation, she has a way of making him believe, if only for a moment, that maybe- just maybe-things might turn out okay.