He Wants An Open Marriage? Done!

Roxanne’s heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs as she stared at the flashing name. She slid the button to answer, pressing the warm glass tight against her ear.

"Hello, Harry. What’s going on?"

"I wanted to let you know that we’ve finally made some real progress." Harry’s crisp voice cut through the phone’s speaker. "The hearing date has been set. One week from today."

Roxanne’s breath hitched, a complex wave of relief and sudden apprehension flooding her chest. "Does Christian know?"

"Yes, he’ll be formally served at his primary address," Harry replied. "In fact, the bailiff is already on his way to the address."

"That means he is on his way here?" Roxanne stepped away from the window, her voice tightening. "Christian doesn’t live here anymore, Harry. He was literally forced out less than ten minutes ago."

A brief, heavy silence hung over the line before Harry spoke again, his tone sharpening. "Where is he now? Any idea?"

"I have absolutely no idea," Roxanne said, a trace of bitter exhaustion creeping into her words. "And honestly, I don’t even want to think about where he’s sleeping tonight."

"We need that information, Roxanne. It’s critical for the timeline that he receives the physical documents," Harry pressed.

Roxanne rubbed her temples, looking over at Theodore, who was quietly watching her from the bedroom doorway. She shifted her gaze toward the open window, letting the cool breeze hit her face.

"The only way to track him down right now is through the police. They escorted him off the premises in a transport van. Beyond that, I know nothing about his whereabouts. I can call them if you want."

Harry let out a sharp, frustrated sigh.

"But is there really no other way?" Roxanne asked, the tension twisting her stomach into knots. "Do we absolutely have to track him down physically? I highly doubt he’s going to cooperate with a bailiff after the way he was just kicked out of here."

"There is an alternative," Harry conceded, the sound of papers rustling audible through the receiver. "I just need his current email addresses and phone contacts. We can petition to serve him digitally through those channels. The court still recognizes that as valid service."

Roxanne let out a long, shuddering breath, her shoulders dropping as the immediate panic subsided. "Thank God. That settles it, then. I’ll send them to you right away. So, what do we do after that?"

"We wait," Harry said softly. "It’s only seven days. Hopefully, by this time next week, this nightmare will be entirely over, and you’ll finally be a free woman."

Roxanne leaned against the wooden bedpost, her chest tight with anticipation. "I can’t wait, Harry."

"That being said," Harry’s voice dropped into a strict register, instantly putting her back on edge. "During this week of waiting, you cannot forget what we discussed. You absolutely cannot meet with Richard. You have to stay away from him, Roxanne. No pictures, no videos, no public appearances together. If Christian’s legal team gets a single shred of footage showing the two of you together, they will flag it as definitive proof of an ongoing affair, and it will destroy our leverage in court."

Roxanne exhaled sharply, nodding instinctively even though Harry couldn’t see her. "I understand perfectly. I’ll be careful."

After a few brief legal instructions, the line clicked dead. She slowly pulled the phone away from her ear, meeting Theodore’s steady gaze.

"Is everything alright?" Theodore asked, stepping closer.

"The divorce hearing is in a week," Roxanne said, a slight tremor in her voice betraying the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.

Theodore reached out, placing a warm hand on her shoulder. "It’s all going to work out exactly the way it’s supposed to," he assured her, his voice solid and comforting. "For now, my work here is finished. But I’m staying in town until this entire mess with Christian is resolved, and you are completely rid of him."

Gratitude welled up in Roxanne’s chest, thick and warm. She stepped into his space, pulling him into a brief hug. "I truly appreciate your help, Theo," she said as she pulled away, looking him in the eye. "I’m really going to need your wisdom to navigate whatever he tries next."

"Whatever you need, I’m right here," Theodore said with a calm, fatherly nod.

Roxanne took a sharp breath, her mind briefly flashing back to the venomous fury on Christian’s face as the police van drove away. She shook her head, a cold reality settling over her.

"What I need right away is to file for a restraining order," she said, her voice hardening. "Because I know him. He isn’t just going to go away and accept defeat. I’m very sure he’s already cooking up his next move."

Theodore nodded grimly. "That is a very wise decision. Men with egos like his don’t just sit quietly when a woman reclaims her life."

"No, they don’t," Roxanne agreed, looking around the bright, airy bedroom. The stale scent of him was almost entirely gone now, replaced by the fresh afternoon air. "But for right now, I just want to enjoy the quiet. I need to get used to being alone in my own space again."

"I completely understand," Theodore said. He reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a crisp business card, and slid it onto the dresser. "That’s the hotel where I’ll be staying. Call me the second you need anything, or just come by."

"Thank you so much, Theo," Roxanne said, her voice calm.

She walked him down the grand staircase, watching as he slipped out the front door and moved toward his waiting car. She gave him a final wave before stepping back inside.

The door clicked shut, the deadbolt sliding into place with a definitive thud.

For the first time in nearly six years, the penthouse was completely silent. No shouting.

No accusations. No footsteps she dreaded hearing after midnight.

For the first time in years, silence no longer felt lonely.

It felt like freedom.

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