He Wants An Open Marriage? Done!

Nicholas’s smug smile widened when their eyes met, as though he knew something Richard didn’t. "Hello, brother," he said.

Richard’s nostrils flared as he stared at his brother. Instead of offering a single word in reply, he peeled his burning gaze away and turned to his father.

"What the hell is he doing here, Father? I thought he was banned from setting foot on this villa?" he asked, his jaw hardening into stone.

Roxanne’s heart hammered violently against her ribs where she stood. Why on earth was Nicholas invited to this gathering? A cold dread settled over her chest, signaling that something was about to go horribly wrong.

"Sit down, Richard," Henry’s calm, steady voice cut through the thick tension. "There is a great deal to discuss tonight."

Richard glared at Nicholas, his warm grip on Roxanne’s hand tightening by a small fraction. Then he turned his attention down to her, his sharp eyes softening with concern. "Let’s sit over there," he murmured.

Roxanne gave a silent nod and followed his lead to a quiet sofa near the corner. The instant they settled into the velvet cushions, Pamela moved from her seat and hurried over, shaking her head as a nervous flicker crossed her face.

"What is happening, Pamela?" Roxanne whispered, keeping her voice low. "Where is Margaret?"

Pamela glanced anxiously toward the door of Henry’s private study, then turned back to Roxanne. "Is it true? Are you really pregnant?" she breathed, her voice trembling.

Roxanne felt an icy chill creep up her spine. Her brows furrowed. "Why are you asking that? What is going on, Pamela?"

Pamela leaned in closer, her voice barely a whisper. "You won’t believe who Mother brought here. And they plan to—"

Before she could finish her sentence, the brass latch of the study clicked open. Every eye in the room snapped toward the doorway.

Margaret stepped out into the living room, her posture erect and commanding. She took a slow step forward into the living room, and then a shadow emerged from directly behind her. Then Cara stepped out into the light.

Roxanne’s eyes widened, her gaze darting immediately to Richard, who looked equally stunned.

She had suspected this possibility earlier, but Richard had been so certain his mother would never allow such a circus inside her home. Yet there Cara stood, right beside Margaret, her chin lifted high with arrogance.

Roxanne shook her head. So Margaret really had chosen Cara’s side.

Richard surged to his feet before Roxanne could even finish processing the betrayal. "What is the meaning of this, Mother?" he demanded, his eyebrows pulling into a deep frown. "What is Cara doing inside this house?"

"Sit down, Richard," Margaret commanded, her tone entirely dismissive. "This is my home, and I reserve the right to decide who stays and who leaves." She turned gracefully toward Cara, pointing to an armchair. "Sit right here, my dear."

Cara offered a subtle nod and took her seat beside Margaret, smoothing down her skirt with a quiet sense of victory.

Richard stood his ground, refusing to sit back down. His fists were clenched so hard that his knuckles turned completely white as he watched Cara settle in. "What is this meeting really about?" he asked, his voice laced with deep suspicion.

"I said sit down, Richard," Margaret repeated, her voice firm.

"Please, Richard, do as your mother asks," Henry added, his calm voice carrying an earnest plea.

Richard’s gaze snapped directly to his father. "Not until someone explains what is going on here," he insisted, his tone thick with defiance.

"It is a family meeting, Richard," Henry clarified gently. "As I told you when you arrived, there are complex matters we need to iron out as a family."

Richard glanced between Cara and Nicholas, letting out a harsh, incredulous scoff. "A family meeting?" he asked, shaking his head in pure disbelief. "If this is truly a family meeting, then why are Nicholas and Cara sitting here? Neither of them belongs to this family."

"If you claim they are not family, then by that logic, Roxanne does not belong here either," Margaret countered smoothly. "Yet, she is seated on my couch."

The cold words should have stung, but the time Roxanne had spent around Margaret had taught her not to expect anything more. She kept her face completely impassive, refusing to let the insult register.

Richard looked down at Roxanne, his eyes narrowing. He turned back to Margaret and gave a firm nod. "You are absolutely right, Mother," he said cleanly. "And that is precisely why Roxanne and I are leaving right now." Before Margaret could utter a reply, Richard extended his hand to Roxanne. "Take my hand. We are out of here."

Roxanne did not hesitate for a second. She placed her palm securely in his. But as she leaned forward to stand, Cara let out a loud, mocking scoff from across the room.

"You honestly think running away will fix this mess, Richard?" Cara said, shaking her head with fake pity. "I am pregnant with your child. And no matter how many times you turn your back on me, the ultimate truth remains unchanged."

Roxanne’s jaw set hard at the dramatic claim. Beside her, Richard’s eyes blazed with restrained fury.

Cara ignored their dark expressions, fixing her eyes squarely on Roxanne for a second before turning back to Richard. "What about my child, Richard? Are you really going to deny your own baby a father because of her?" she asked, her voice cracking as unshed tears gathered in her eyes.

Roxanne narrowed her eyes, carefully analyzing Cara’s shaky voice and theatrical gestures. The performance was seamless, but she remained silent, refusing to take the bait.

Richard shook his head in absolute disgust. "How much longer do you plan on spreading these desperate lies?" he asked, his tone heavy with exhaustion. "You can repeat that lie all day long, but you had better brace yourself for the fallout, because there will be severe consequences."

"There will be no legal consequences," Margaret interrupted sharply, her authority booming through the space. "If Cara is carrying a Vance heir, then the family cannot simply abandon her. But since you refuse to acknowledge the child. Nicholas has agreed to take responsibility for the pregnancy."

Richard and Roxanne exchanged a bewildered glance.

Richard turned back to his mother, his brow furrowed. "What on earth are you talking about?"

Before Margaret could explain, Nicholas leaned forward in his chair, a smug grin twisting his lips. "I will marry her. The scandal disappears, the child gets a father, and the Vance name remains intact."

Every drop of color drained from Richard’s face.

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