He Wants An Open Marriage? Done!

A surge of warmth bloomed in Roxanne’s chest the moment she stepped through the glass doors into the main lobby. As she walked toward the elevators, she caught the quiet, supportive smiles of several staff members.

"Congratulations, Ma’am," a young woman at the desk murmured warmly as she passed.

Roxanne turned, offering a genuine nod and smile. She stepped into the elevator, noticing a couple of employees standing near the back, whispering softly to one another.

"She actually did it."

"I know. She’s so brave. I’m so happy for her."

As the doors slid shut, a deep sense of gratitude settled over her. She pressed the button for floor nine.

Now she knew. Not everyone was against her. In the end, people had been rooting for her freedom, and she had won.

The elevator chime rang out softly as the doors parted on the ninth floor.

Libby was standing just outside, her hands clasped tightly together as if she had been anxiously waiting for her.

"Libby?" Roxanne asked, stepping out into the carpeted hallway with a faint frown. "Is everything okay?"

Libby glanced nervously toward the heavy double doors of Richard’s executive office before looking back at Roxanne. "Mr. Vance is currently in a meeting," she said, her voice small and tight.

Roxanne’s brows pulled together. "Why are you talking to me like I’m a stranger, Libby? What’s going on?"

Libby swallowed hard, her shoulders sagging slightly under the tension. "I’m sorry, Roxanne. I’m just following instructions."

A cold prickle of alarm spiked through Roxanne’s pulse. "Are you telling me Richard gave you instructions to keep me out? He doesn’t want me here?"

First the strained tone on the phone, and now this? Her heart began to hammer erratically against her ribs. Was Richard trying to pass a message to her?

Libby took a half-step forward, her eyes apologetic. "As I said, I’m only doing what I was told."

"And that’s what I don’t understand," Roxanne said, her voice tight with rising panic. "Did Did Richard tell you to keep me out? Is he avoiding me? Why can’t he say it to my face?"

Libby shook her head, but before she could explain, the office door clicked open.

Margaret stepped into the hallway, crossing her arms over her sharp, tailored suit jacket. "I gave those instructions," she announced coldly.

Roxanne looked at Libby and she gave her a brief, affirming nod before stepping back.

Roxanne swallowed down a huge breath of relief, keeping her composure steady. Richard hadn’t asked that she should be sent away. That was all that mattered.

The sharp click-clack of Margaret’s designer heels echoed through the corridor, snapping Roxanne from her thoughts, as she stepped closer, sweeping a harsh, critical gaze over Roxanne from head to toe.

"Do not mistake today’s victory for an express ticket into my son’s life or my acceptance. You are not family. You will never be welcome here," Margaret said, her voice dripping with sharp authority.

"I have not forgotten the chaos you and Christian brought down on this company. This is a work place, and you have no business being on this floor. Leave," she commanded, pointing towards the elevator.

Roxanne felt her pulse racing, but she held Margaret’s cold gaze head-on. "I hear everything you’re saying, Margaret. But I came here to speak with Richard, and I’m not leaving until I do," she said, her tone smooth, polite, and unyielding.

Margaret’s jaw set hard, her dark eyes narrowing.

"And you’re right. This is a workplace," Roxanne added softly, stepping an inch closer. "Which means you don’t get to make executive decisions on his behalf. He is the President. And as a top director here, I will be seeing him."

Margaret’s mouth opened to snap a reply, but the heavy door to the executive conference room swung open and Richard stood in the doorway.

The moment his eyes landed on Roxanne, the hard lines of his face dissolved. He stepped out into the hall, a warm smile breaking across his features as he reached out, drawing her into a swift, grounding hug.

"You’re here," he breathed into her hair.

Roxanne leaned into his touch, her hand resting against the soft shadow of stubble along his jawline. "I’m free, Richard," she whispered, her eyes shining with quiet joy as she looked at him. "It’s over."

Richard brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, noticing the faint redness around her eyes. "You’ve been crying."

Roxanne swallowed, shaking her head.

Richard’s smile deepened, a spark of warmth in his dark eyes. "It’s alright. We’re going to celebrate properly the second we’re done here." Then, catching the thick tension in the air, his brow creased. "What’s going on out here?"

Margaret looked between them, her mouth twisted in absolute disapproval at the way Richard’s hand lingered around Roxanne’s waist, and how naturally Roxanne leaned into his frame.

"We need to finalize our plans, Richard," Margaret said sharply, taking a step toward the conference room. "She can’t be here right now. So send her on her way so we can go back inside."

Richard’s brows furrowed as he looked down at Roxanne. "We can’t finalize anything without her, Mother, and you know that. Come in, Roxanne."

"What meeting?" Roxanne asked, a cold knot of dread suddenly tightening in her stomach.

Margaret pivoted on her heel, stepping directly into their path, her breath coming in heavy, irritated hitches. "Absolutely not, Richard. This is an exclusive meeting for the Vance family and the heads of the board. She is neither. This meeting is entirely above her pay grade."

"She is with me," Richard said, his deep voice carrying a quiet authority that made Margaret flinch. "And that makes her more than qualified to sit at that table. Start getting used to it, Mother. In case you have not heard, she is a free woman now."

He held out his hand to Roxanne. "Let’s go."

Roxanne spared Margaret a single glance before placing her hand in Richard’s, her pulse fluttering nervously as she walked beside him. What emergency session required only the Vances and the board?

They stepped through the frosted glass doors into the boardroom. Seated around the massive mahogany table were Henry, Pamela, the chairman of the board, and his deputy, all of them looking grim, their expressions heavy.

"You’re finally here," Pamela murmured, offering a faint smile.

Roxanne stopped, looking up at Richard, her blood suddenly running cold. "Richard, what is happening?"

Richard let out a heavy exhale, turning to face her. His hand tightened around hers, his eyes dark with reluctance. "Christian is on his way here," he said quietly.

Roxanne’s heart stopped dead in her chest.

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