He Wants An Open Marriage? Done!

Roxanne’s smile broke wide and genuine as she watched Theodore step out of the car. The heavy tension that had been wrapping tightly around her chest finally began to thaw.

Christian stared at the newcomer, his features twisting into a knot of pure irritation. "Why the hell are you smiling?" he snapped, his gaze darting between Roxanne and the older man approaching them.

"Because the original deed is here, Christian," Roxanne said softly. She didn’t look at him. She didn’t have to. The quiet power in her voice was enough.

Christian’s head snapped back to her, the final traces of his bravado vanishing as his skin turned an ash-gray. "What the hell are you talking about? Have you brought another fake?"

"Patience, Christian," she murmured, her eyes locked on Theodore’s familiar face. "You’re about to find out."

Theodore walked with a slow, deliberate stride, a leather briefcase gripped firmly in his hand.

The gravel crunched beneath his polished shoes, the sound rhythmic and sharp in the sudden silence of the yard. He offered a reassuring smile as he closed the distance.

"I’m here because on David’s behalf."

Christian let out a loud, forced laugh, though the sound caught in his throat. "David? That’s impossible," he scoffed, turning to Roxanne. "Your father has been dead for years. How exactly is he telling anyone to do anything?"

Theodore didn’t give him the satisfaction of an answer. Instead, the moment he reached the porch, he stepped right past Christian, opened his arms, and pulled Roxanne into a warm hug.

Roxanne melted into the embrace, burying her face against Theodore’s shoulder as a massive wave of relief washed over her. "Theo," she whispered, her voice cracking slightly. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

Theodore squeezed her shoulder gently before pulling back. "Your father would have done the exact same for me."

"Who the hell is this guy, and why are you touching him?" Christian barked, his upper lip curling in deep disgust as he tried to shove his way between them. "I hope you’re not about to try and tell us he’s your long-lost father, Roxanne, because we both know David is in a grave."

Theodore finally turned his head, his sharp gray eyes locking onto Christian. His grip on the handle of his briefcase tightened. "Is this him?" he asked Roxanne, his tone entirely even.

Roxanne merely pressed her lips into a thin line and nodded.

Theodore shook his head slowly, a look of profound disappointment settling over his rugged features. "I see exactly why David was worried about him."

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Christian shot back, his voice rising an octave as his control slipped further. "Yes, I am her husband! Her one and only husband, and the co-owner of this penthouse! Who the hell are you, old man? Why don’t you turn around, get back in your car, and drive away?"

Theodore ignored the outburst entirely. He leaned down slightly, his voice dropping to a quiet murmur near Roxanne’s ear. "Whenever you are ready to end this, Roxanne."

Roxanne looked at Christian, seeing right through the anger masking his panic. "You should really get down from your high horse, Christian," she said, her voice dropping into an icy calm. "Because you are leaving my house today. One way or another."

"And who is going to make me?" Christian gloated, puffing his chest out as he stood squarely in the doorway. "I’ve had enough of this circus! You saw your little fake paper stunt fail, and now you’ve brought another fraud to my doorstep. Well, guess what, Roxy? Your little plan failed."

Roxanne didn’t say a word. She stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Theodore, their collective silence heavy and suffocating.

"I’m done with this nonsense," Christian muttered, turning back toward the house.

Theodore finally turned to the two police officers, who had been watching the entire exchange with intense focus.

"It’s a very good thing you gentlemen are already here," Theodore said, his voice carrying across the yard. "Because you’re about to help us remove an illegal trespasser from this lady’s private property."

Christian stopped in his tracks, his shoulders going rigid. He turned back slowly, his eyes fixed on Theodore’s briefcase as the older man unclasped the heavy brass locks. A sharp click echoed in the quiet air.

Roxanne watched Christian closely. Beneath his glaring eyes, she caught the slight tremor in his hands. He’s shaking, she realized, a thrill of pure satisfaction pooling in her chest.

Christian shoved both hands into his pockets., but it was too late. Roxanne had already seen the tremor.

Christian tried to laugh it off, but the sound was hollow. "You think you can throw me out with another printout? Think again."

Theodore didn’t bother replying. His brow furrowed in concentration as he reached into the velvet-lined interior of the case and pulled out a heavy, dark wooden frame.

"I was informed that you would try to claim fraud," Theodore said calmly. He turned and extended the frame toward Roxanne. "So I brought the original document. Unaltered. Just as your father left it."

Roxanne took the frame, the weight of it solid and grounding in her hands. She ran her fingertips over the cool glass surface. Beneath it lay the crisp, original deed, the gold state seal deeply embossed into the thick parchment, the raised edges visible even from a distance.

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but her heart was full.

The smug smile died instantly on Christian’s face. He stared at the raised seal, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

Theodore stepped closer to him, his presence suddenly looming. "David saw this day coming," he said, his voice vibrating with finality. "That’s exactly why he entrusted the original deed to me for safekeeping, far out of your reach."

Theodore turned back to Roxanne, a small nod passing between them.

Roxanne looked at it. Then she shifted her gaze to Christian first before she looked at Officer Timmons.

"Officer," she said, a small pause following. "Please remove the trespasser from my property."

Christian’s Adam’s apple bobbed hard as he swallowed, his entire body going entirely still as the trap snapped shut.

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