He Wants An Open Marriage? Done!

Richard’s grip tightened around the leather-wrapped steering wheel as he checked the map pin on his phone screen and glanced up at the glass building in front of him.

"This has to be the place," he muttered, his gaze tracking across the sleek brass lettering mounted over the entrance. The Standard Luxury Hotel.

He let out a sharp sigh, killed the engine, and pulled the key from the ignition. Stepping out into the warm afternoon air, he adjusted the cuffs of his suit jacket and walked through the sliding glass doors into the lobby.

He approached the front desk, keeping his posture calm. "Good afternoon. I am here to see Mr. Christian Westbrook," he said, his deep voice smooth and steady.

The receptionist looked up, her eyes widening in immediate recognition as she scanned his face.

Richard ignored her stunned expression entirely. He already knew she had seen the news, and he did not care what she thought of him.

"Please inform him that James Whitaker is down here to speak with him," Richard added smoothly, using a temporary alias to guarantee an answer.

The receptionist blinked, quickly tapping at her computer terminal. "One moment, please, Sir," she replied, lifting the desk phone.

Richard drummed his fingers against the counter, his pulse thumping heavily in his veins. His mind raced as he visualized the impending confrontation, his right hand curling into a tight fist at his side.

The sheer thought of standing face-to-face with the man who had tormented Roxanne made his temper flare beneath his outward calm.

"Sir?" The receptionist’s voice cut through his thoughts. "Mr. Westbrook says he was not expecting any visitors. However, he is taking the elevator down now."

Richard’s gaze darted immediately toward the set of gold elevator doors down the right corridor. He turned back to the receptionist with a brief nod. "Thank you."

"You may wait over there," she offered, gesturing toward a cluster of armchairs in the lounge area.

Richard walked over and took a seat, taking a deep breath to steady his racing pulse. Within moments, a soft chime echoed through the lobby. He sat up straighter, his jaw muscles clenching tight.

The elevator doors slid open, and Christian stepped out onto the floor, his eyes darting left and right as he adjusted his watch.

Richard spotted him instantly, his knuckles whitening as he watched Christian stroll over to the reception desk. The receptionist gave a brief answer and pointed across the room.

Christian turned around. The moment his eyes landed on Richard, his eyebrows shot up in surprise. A sharp smirk spread across his face as he took in Richard’s imposing frame.

"Well, this should be interesting," Christian murmured under his breath, giving the receptionist a casual nod. "Thank you."

He turned and began walking toward the seating area with an arrogant stride. Richard stood up smoothly, taking another slow breath to keep his fiery temper in check.

"If we are going to discuss whatever this is, I suggest we do it over a proper drink," Christian said, offering a faint smile. "Shall we move to the hotel bar?"

Richard gave a single nod. "Good idea," he replied, forcing his voice to remain flat and controlled.

—

Minutes later, they were seated across from each other at a dimly lit corner booth inside the hotel bar. Low jazz music played in the background, contrasting sharply with the tension thick between them.

Christian leaned back in his leather seat, his eyes narrowing as he evaluated Richard.

Richard leaned forward, resting his forearms against the wooden table and interlocking his fingers. "I came here to cover one specific matter," he began, his voice low and firm. "I need you to step back and stay entirely out of—"

"Why did you do that to her?" Christian interrupted smoothly, tilting his head.

Richard’s expression hardened, but he kept his voice steady. "Listen to me, Christian. I came here so we could speak like reasonable men. I did not come to trade insults or indulge in petty games. I am simply telling you to leave—"

"You have not answered my question, Richard," Christian pressed, leaning in slightly with a taunting edge. "Why did you do that to Roxanne? If you knew you were already committed to someone else, why did you drag her into such a public mess?"

Richard exhaled sharply through his nose, his jaw set like iron. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"Why did you get your fiancée pregnant and then humiliate Roxanne by broadcasting that she is carrying your child?" Christian asked, his lip curling into a smirk.

Richard leaned across the table, his dark eyes burning into Christian’s. "Listen carefully, Christian. I intended for this to be an orderly visit, and I would greatly prefer to keep it that way."

Christian smiled mockingly. He reached forward, lowering his tone to a sharp whisper. "I know for a fact that Roxanne is barren and that those public claims are complete fabrications," he whispered spitefully. "Still, you should have spared her the embarrassment. I am sure she feels utterly—"

Before the final word could leave Christian’s mouth, Richard reached across the small table and clamped his broad hand firmly around Christian’s throat. His eyes blazed with fury as he squeezed just enough to pin him back against the booth.

"That is enough," Richard growled through clenched teeth, his hot breath brushing Christian’s pale cheek. "I will not sit here and allow you to speak about my woman with such disrespect. This is not a negotiation. You will leave Roxanne alone. You will not call her, you will not approach her, and you will never attempt to distress her again. Or you will answer to me directly."

A sudden flash of shock crossed Christian’s face, his posture stiffening under the threat. He reached up, roughly shoving Richard’s forearm away from his neck.

"Where do you think you are?" Christian shot back, his voice tight as he smoothed his collar. "This is not your office where you can talk down to me while sleeping with my wife. If you lay a hand on me again, you will regret it."

Richard pulled his arm back, his hands curling into tight fists at his sides as he maintained total control. "You never deserved a woman like her, which is precisely why she is with me now," he stated, his tone dropping into a deadly quiet. "Consider yourself warned."

Richard stood up to leave.

Christian’s face flushed with anger at the rejection, but he forced a bitter laugh, shaking his head as he leaned back. "Well, I suppose I can let you keep her," he spat out, his voice dripping with venom. "She is damaged goods anyway. She could not even give me a child. Utterly worthless."

Richard stopped dead in his tracks.

Christian’s words struck somewhere deeper than anger. Richard went completely still. For one terrifying second, there was no emotion on his face at all. Then he turned.

In one lightning-fast motion, he turned and drove his closed fist straight into Christian’s jaw. The force of the blow snapped Christian’s head back, sending him staggering sideways across the booth.

"I warned you," Richard snapped, his breathing heavy as he casually wiped his knuckles against the lapel of Christian’s designer jacket. He looked down at the dazed man with cold disdain. "By the way, we are expecting a baby."

Christian’s eyes went wide with shock as he scrambled back up, clutching his bruised jaw. "What? How? That is impossible!" he shouted, his voice cracking with disbelief.

Richard did not bother to answer. He turned his back and walked toward the exit, his firm footsteps echoing across the floorboards.

"Stay away from my woman," he called back over his shoulder, his voice echoing in the quiet lounge. "That is your final warning."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!