He Wants An Open Marriage? Done!

Emily’s hands shook so badly that the amber liquid sloshed against the rim of the glass as she handed it over. "Your dr-drink, Miss Cara," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

Cara smiled, her red eyes narrowing as she swirled the ice cubes against the crystal. The soft clinking sound echoed in the quiet, dimly lit pantry room. "Now, Emily," she said softly, taking a slow sip. "I need you to tell me exactly what you were just sharing with your friend."

Emily swallowed hard, her hands clutching the edges of her white apron as she shook her head frantically. "I’m not allowed to discuss the family. I can’t—"

A flash of sharp anger cut through Cara’s face. She set the glass down on the side table with a loud thud. "You will tell me right now, or I will walk out to the main hall and inform Mr. Vance that I caught you listening at the terrace door."

"No, Miss Cara, please!" Emily pleaded, dropping onto her knees on the cold floor tiles. Panic flashed in her eyes, and the words spilled out before she could stop them. "The new lady. She is pregnant! Mr. Vance told Lady Vance himself!"

The revelation hit Cara like a physical strike, knocking the air straight from her lungs. Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs, sending a rush of hot blood to her ears.

She stood up slowly, her knuckles turning white where her hands rested on the arm of the chair. "Are you absolutely certain?"

Emily nodded repeatedly, her tear-filled eyes wide with terror. "I heard Mr. Vance say it with his own mouth, ma’am. I swear it."

Cara’s lips curved into a sharp, bitter line. "I see."

From the hallway outside, the rhythmic click of heels against marble broke the silence. Cara’s posture straightened instantly, her jaw locking as her eyes flicked toward the doorway.

She turned back to the trembling girl on the floor. "You may go, Emily," she whispered, her eyes shining with dangerous intent.

Emily scrambled to her feet and turned to run.

"Wait!" Cara called out, her low command freezing the maid in her tracks. Emily turned back, swallowing hard as Cara leaned in close. "You never said a word to me. Do you understand?"

Emily gave a fast nod and fled into the hallway.

At the main doorway to the living room, Emily nearly crashed into Margaret Vance, who was stepping through the door.

"Lady Vance," Emily said, dipping into a hasty curtsy before hurrying past.

Margaret didn’t even glance at the servant. Her posture was rigid, her icy gaze sweeping the room until it locked onto Cara standing by the drink cart.

"I have been looking for you," Margaret said, her voice smooth and measured as she crossed the room.

Cara let a faint smile touch the corners of her mouth. Is this the game we are playing now, Margaret? She took a step forward, adjusting her voice to carry a soft tremor. "You asked me to wait outside, remember?"

Margaret stopped a few feet away, her eyes searching Cara’s face with deep suspicion. "So you have been sitting here the entire time?"

Cara frowned, placing a hand over her heart as her eyes filled with well-practiced tears. "Where else would I go? Out to the driveway like an unwanted dog?" She shook her head, her voice dropping into a dramatic whisper. "I trusted you, Margaret. I never thought you would turn your back on me like this."

Margaret watched her closely, her expression unreadable. "So were you eavesdropping outside the terrace door?"

"Me? Listening at doors?" Cara scoffed, a look of profound offense washing over her face. "How could you insult me like that? Are you trying to blame me for something, Margaret?"

Margaret stared at her for a long, quiet moment. The heavy silence hung between them, thick with unsaid warnings.

Finally, Margaret adjusted the lapels of her tailored jacket and turned toward the hall. "Let us leave. It is getting late."

Cara’s smirk returned the second Margaret’s back was turned. You have no idea what you just let slip. She paused, smoothing her hair behind her ear. "Is there something I should know before we go, Margaret?"

Margaret stopped in the doorway and turned back, an empty smile on her lips. "Is there something you want to know?"

Cara held her gaze for a second, then shook her head smoothly. "No."

"Then come along," Margaret said, turning back toward the grand foyer.

Cara snatched her designer purse from the armchair, her grip tight enough to crease the leather. You made your choice, Margaret. You chose wrong.

When they stepped out into the bright light of the grand foyer, Richard and Roxanne were standing near the base of the winding staircase.

Roxanne was tucked closely against Richard’s side, her head resting over his heart while his broad arm wrapped tightly around her waist, holding her close. The intimacy between them radiated off them in waves.

The sight was like a jagged blade carving straight through Cara’s chest. Her fingernails bit into her palms until her skin burned. Enjoy your comfortable little moment, she thought, her blood running cold with fury. Because everything changes tomorrow.

Margaret cleared her throat, the dry sound echoing off the walls.

Richard and Roxanne turned together, their hands remaining tightly clasped.

Margaret walked up to her son and pulled him into a brief embrace. As her arms went around Richard’s shoulders, Cara caught the subtle shake of Margaret’s head against his collar, and the intense look Richard gave his mother in return.

Cara almost laughed out loud. She really thinks she can keep this from me.

As Margaret stepped back, Richard kept one hand anchored firmly against the small of Roxanne’s back. He looked at his mother. "I hope we can move past this, Mother. And I would appreciate it if you did not bring unwanted guests into my home again."

Cara looked directly at Richard, her lips curving into a knowing smile. They had no idea what she had just learned.

She shifted her eyes to Roxanne, who was watching her with open mistrust. "No need to worry, Richard," Cara said, her tone light and airy. "I will not bother you here ever again."

Roxanne shifted uncomfortably against Richard’s side as Cara’s gaze drifted downward. Cara let her eyes linger on Roxanne’s stomach for three long seconds before slowly bringing her gaze back up to meet her eyes.

"Allow me to congratulate you," Cara said, her voice dropping into a sweet, poisonous hush.

The color drained instantly from Roxanne’s face, leaving her pale as paper. Beside her, Richard went entirely still, his jaw locking so hard a vein throbbed at his temple. Even Margaret turned around, her icy eyes widening in shock.

Cara stood in the center of the foyer, soaking in the silence and the sheer panic on their faces.

"Congratulations, Roxanne," Cara repeated softly, her smile widening into a terrifying grin.

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