Ch. 36..40: My Husband Wants An Open Marriage Chapter 36-40

CHAPTER 036: Counterclaim

guess I'm the only Julie O'Brien in this house, because Paula and Javier are staring at me, waiting for a

response.

"Did they say who it was?" I ask.

Paula frowns. "They said he's a process server, here to serve a document to someone named Julie O'Brien. Said the address led them here, but security doesn't seem to know of a Julie O'Brien on the premises, so they called for confirmation." Process server? Here? For me?

There's something about the way Paula said the last sentence that has me thinking she's hinting at something mischievous. Telling me I can deny being here. It's tempting. Really tempting. A process server showing up for me could only mean one thing: bad news. My mind races. How did they find me here? What's in that envelope? As much as I want to take Paula's advice and hide, I'm curious.

"The gate, you say?" I ask, already standing up.

Paula nods.

I walk, slipping past the table, feeling Javier's gaze track me the whole way. I open the door, stepping out into the hallway.

The walk to the gate feels endless. It's like I'm moving underwater, every step heavier than the last. And then I see him, the man standing just on the other side of the gate bars. He's in his mid-forties, average build, with that bored look I've seen on people who are used to delivering bad news. In his hand, he holds, a stack of documents.

I stop just short of the bars, forcing myself to keep my face blank.

"Mrs. Julie O'Brien?" he asks.

I nod, more out of habit than choice, and he pushes the papers through the bars, like he's handing over my death warrant.

"You've been served."

I stare at the envelope in my hand, and then I fumble with it, My fingers move slower than they should, my stomach tightening with every fold I peel back.

It's Ryan's response to my divorce summons. But it's not just a response; it's a counterclaim. Ryan is denying everything-every single accusation, every ounce of emotional abuse I endured. According to him, none of it happened. The papers are filled with the most twisted counter-narrative I could imagine, -accusing me of adultery, cruelty, defamation, even desertion.

Each word feels like a punch to the gut.

Ryan has painted himself as the victim, the wounded husband.

That son of a bitch.

CHAPTER 036: Counterclaim

An hour later, I'm sitting across from my divorce attorney, Maya Ramos, watching as she flips through the documents. Maya's face is expressionless. I guess, as a lawyer, she has perfected that look over the years. One thing I know is she's efficient, judging by how quickly those divorce summons went out to

Ryan.

"So," she begins without looking up. "Let's break down Ryan's claims, shall we? Starting with the desertion.""

1

I roll my eyes. "Desertion? Really? That's rich, considering he basically pushed me out the door."

"Yes, well, Ryan's memory seems...convenient. But this is family court, not a truth convention. He claims you abandoned him."

"Abandoned him? I was driven to the edge!" My voice rises, but Maya remains unfazed, her gaze steady.

"Right, and that's what we'll argue," she replies, almost sounding amused. "Let's just say you were coerced' out. Not sure if the judge will buy it, but at least it's believable."

"Right."

She lets the silence settle for a beat, then nudges another document forward, ticking something off with her pen. "Next, he's claiming 'cruelty.' I'll give him this much-he's imaginative. In other words, he's saying you somehow inflicted unbearable hardship on him during the marriage."

I sit back, glowering at the paper in front of me like it personally insulted me.

"Good to see we're on the same page." Maya's lips twitch, this time closer to a smile. "Now," irreconcilable differences'-standard fare. Basically, he's saying the marriage is unsalvageable."

I look off, my heart twisting. "Yeah..."

Maya taps her pen against the table. "We're not here to reminisce, Julie. Focus."

Right. Sure." I straighten up, giving her a small nod.

Maya clears her throat and pulls another paper forward. Her eyes flick up to mine, giving me a look I can only describe as skeptical. "And then we have 'defamation," she says. "Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but did anything... specific make its way to the press? Something along the lines of... emotional abuse? Adultery?"

My stomach tightens. "I mean... yeah. The divorce summons leaked to the press."

She doesn't react. "Mm-hmm. And so far, any evidence to back that up?"

I swallow, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "Plenty. Just... not all of it's on paper."

She sighs. "Julie, this isn't the court of public opinion; it's the court of law. If Ryan pursues this, we'll need something concrete. So here's what we'll do we'll gather evidence. Emails, texts, records... anything to paint a clearer picture. And I'll need a detailed timeline of events. The more details, the better, especially if we can find any witnesses who can back up your story."

I exhale, pressing my palms together like I can squeeze all the frustration out of me. "That sounds... like a

lot."

"This is divorce, Julie. It is a lot. And Ryan's throwing everything he has at you."

CHAPTER 036: Counterclaim

"Fine."/mutter, glancing away.

She clicks her pen and leans in, eyes sharp. "Let's start simple. Is there anything he could use against you? Anything he could twist to make it sound damning?"

I hesitate, feeling my face flush. "Maybe... there were a few times Luke and I were seen coming into the office building together. And, uh, that thing in the supply closet." Her eyebrow lifts, the closest thing to curiosity I've seen all day. "The supply closet thing?"

I squirm, the memory making my stomach knot. "A cleaning guy saw us. Maybe he gossiped. Somehow, the footage ended up on Ryan's mistress's phone."

Her pen scratches along her notepad. "Well, isn't that convenient. We'll address that. Anything else? Something we could use against him?"

I pause, racking my brain. "There's the house security footage, and the office cameras, too. Plus, he froze my funds

Her face remains inscrutable, but I sense something shift in her. "Noted. Anything else? Witnesses?"

I shrug, a note of defeat creeping into my voice. "Nothing more. At least, not right now."

"Is that all you have?"

The question hits like a punch. "Yeah... that's all."

A silence stretches between us before she taps her pen again. "Okay. Now, if they come looking, will they find anything?"

"What do you mean?"

She leans back, crossing her arms. "I mean, did you commit any of the allegations? Are you dating Mr.

Martinez?"

I clench my fists, swallowing the lump in my throat. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"I'm your lawyer, Julie. I need the truth-all of it. This only goes smoothly if we're on the same side. I'm here for you, remember that."

Her words settle like a stone in my chest, uncomfortable and heavy. "I'm not an adulterer."

She nods, her gaze almost softening before moving on "And where are you currently living?"

I feel my shoulders tense, sensing a trap. "At Luke's house."

"So, to confirm," she says, flipping through her notes, "you did, in fact, leave Ryan and went to stay with

Mr. Martinez?"

narrow my eyes. "Where are you going with all this?"

Her pen stops moving, and she meets my gaze with a calm, almost kind look. "I told you before-I'm not. the enemy. But Ryan is. His lawyer is. And the judge... well, let's just say they're not handing out empathy awards. Whatever you're holding back from me, they'll hit you with double the force." I clench my jaw, nodding. "Okay. Got it."

CHAPTER 036: Counterclaim

She sets her pen down. "Then here's my advice: You'll have to leave Mr. Martinez's house. Find somewhere else to stay-the sooner, the better."

CHAPTER 037: The End Of The World

I blink, feeling the weight of Maya's words settle on me. "What? Why would I have to move out?"

She doesn't look up, busy packing her notes, her movements brisk and businesslike, "It's for your own good," she says. "If we're playing by Ryan's rules, we need to look spotless-inside and out. Living with another man in the middle of divorce proceedings? It's not a good look, Julie. Not for the judge, not for the court, not for anyone who's watching."

I sink back in my chair, letting out a sigh that feels like it's been building all day. "An hour ago, I thought we were just going to have a civil conversation about this. And now we're here, strategizing like it's a

battlefield."

Maya glances at me, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. "Civil?" She shakes her head. "Julie, this is divorce. Civility is an endangered species."

A bitter laugh escapes my lips, more acidic than I expected, and I realize it's the first genuine reaction I've allowed myself all day. "I'll... think about it, I guess."

"Think fast." Her eyes meet mine with a glint that's both a warning and encouragement. She straightens, gathering her papers into a neat stack. "And one more thing-get comfortable with discomfort. If Ryan wants a fight, we're going to give him a show. We're going to push back, and we're going to do it with style."

I feel my smile widen, turning into something that feels, for the first time in a long time, like strength.

Leaving Maya's office feels like shedding a layer of skin. I head toward my Uber, heels clacking with each determined step, hoping the next hour can go by in peace.

Javier was right after all. The O'Briens do not plan to go down easy. And now, because of their stupid counterclaim, I have to leave Luke's house?

No way. I'm not going anywhere. What's the worst that could happen? I get found guilty of adultery, and it honestly wouldn't be the end of the world.

I'm done letting anyone or even the law dictate my life.

I'm halfway to the car when my phone vibrates. A message from Ryan.

"We need to talk."

I almost laugh. The urge to reply 'go fuck yourself' rises fast. But then I stop myself. Ryan's suing me for cruelty, for God's sake. Handing him a fresh piece of "evidence" would be the perfect gift right now. So, instead, I pocket my phone and keep walking. Another buzz.

"Please, Julie. You know I don't want this to happen. My mom's the one doing all this."

A scoff escapes my lips before I can stop it. Sure, blame it all on Adeline, your puppet master of a mother. As if she's the one who actually files the papers, who goes to court on your behalf. You're an adult, Ryan. Take a bit of responsibility.

CHAPTER 037: The End Of The World

I make it to my car, climbing into the backseat. Another buzz.

"I miss you. And I'm sorry. The account has been unfrozen. Call me when you get the chance."

My grip tightens on the phone as the driver starts the trip. I miss you? I'm sorry? How dare he. I want to fire back, to tell him he can shove the apology-and that money-right where the sun doesn't shine. But my savings are in that account. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, my money is back in my control.

And then, an idea forms in my mind. Wild, unconventional, utterly thrilling. I'm free to do as I please. For the first time, my money and I are on the same side of this mess. Maybe it's time to use that money to buy something worthwhile. Like happiness.

Happiness. The word feels fresh, new. I stare out the window with renewed focus as we head toward Luke's house. I let the thought grow, twist, and take shape as the city lights blur past me.

Back at Luke's place hours later, I'm seated in my room. The soft glow of scented candles bathes my bedroom in a warm haze, filling the air with an inviting fragrance. I check my phone for the third time, staring at Luke's last message. "Thirty minutes," he'd said. It's been over an hour.

Frustration stirs in me. The night's not going as I planned. Just as I'm about to call him, I hear the rumble of his car pulling into the driveway, loud and unapologetic. My heart skips once. Twice. Am I really doing this?

Footsteps. A pause, then a soft knock at the door.

"Come in," I say.

Luke steps into the room. His gaze sweeps over the candles, the low lighting, eyes pausing on me in my nightgown and robe. He lifts his brows in surprise.

"Umm, what's going on?" he asks.

I smile, motioning to the spot on the bed, beside me. "Come, sit."

He crosses the room, moving with the kind of caution that suggests he's aware this is some kind of trap. The bed dips as he sits, close but careful. I lean forward, gesturing to the candles scattered around. "Cute, right?" I ask, letting my eyes linger on him.

He smirks, tilting his head, and his eyes catch mine in a look so steady it makes my pulse jump. "They're cute, alright. But not the cutest thing in the room."

I laugh, shaking my head. "Luke, the flatterer."

""You think I'm flattering you?"

I pause, letting the silence hang between us, watching as his gaze narrows, assessing me. "Maybe you are," I say, my voice low. "Maybe you're not. But that's not why I called you here."

His expression shifts, and he straightens. "Why, then?"

CHAPTER 037: The End Of The World

I rise, stepping away from the bed, letting my fingers trail over the edges of the candles, my touch skimming each one as if savoring its warmth. I feel Luke's eyes following me, tracing every movement.

"I got served today," I say, almost to myself, but loud enough for him to hear. "Ryan is suing me for defamation, adultery, and a whole list of colorful accusations." ""What?"

I turn to face him, letting my gaze hold his, feeling the weight of the words between us. Then, slowly, I reach up to pull out the band that holds my hair in place. My hair falls around my shoulders, and I see his eyes darken, his focus sharpening. The room feels smaller, the air thicker.

I let my fingers slip through my hair, closing my eyes, drawing the moment out, feeling his gaze like a touch on my skin. "I went to see Maya. She thinks I should leave your house, find somewhere else to stay for now."

His voice comes low, tight. "Why the hell would you need to do that?"

open my eyes, my hands falling back to my sides. "Apparently, it's bad for my case. And I just thought... why me? Why is it that happiness slips right through my fingers every time I think I've finally caught it?"

He opens his mouth, but I lift my hand, silencing him. "I'm done being sad about it, Luke." I let my fingers find the tie of my robe, pulling it loose. The fabric slips from my shoulders and drops to the floor, revealing the silk of my nightgown that clings to my body like a second skin.

His gaze drags over me, slow and deliberate. I can see the tension tightening in his jaw, the flicker of heat in his eyes.

I take a step closer, the silk brushing against my skin, cool and electrifying, igniting something reckless in me. "I think I've finally figured out a way to be happy," I say. "And that's by taking happiness wherever I find it, even if it costs me."

He doesn't move. His gaze is locked on mine, fierce, unblinking.

"Julie... what are you..." His voice is rough, strained, like he's fighting something primal

I slip the straps of my nightgown off my shoulders, letting it slide down, pooling at my feet. Standing there, completely exposed, I watch the last fragments of his self-control break, the hunger flashing in his eyes like a spark catching fire.

He's still, barely breathing, his eyes dark and consuming, as if he's memorizing every inch of me, as if he's already touching me without even moving.

I cross the distance between us, standing directly in front of him. With a finger, I lift his chin, forcing him to look up into my eyes. "I've been a good girl all my life, Luke. And where has it gotten me?" My voice drops to a whisper, intimate and dangerous. "Nowhere but pain. I want to know what it's like to be bad. To feel something darker, something reckless." I pause. "If I'm getting sued for adultery, it's only fair I know how it tastes."

For a while, he just stares, frozen, his eyes searing into mine. It feels like we're sharing the same breath.

Then, in a single moment, he grabs me, and I'm on my back on the bed, his weight pressing down on me, his hands framing my face. His gaze is intense, piercing, leaving me breathless. For a moment, there's nothing in the world but his eyes, dark and unyielding, filled with a storm of emotions I don't dare name.

CHAPTER 037: The End Of The World

Then his mouth is on mine, and everything else fades. The world, the lawsuits, the bitterness of the past- all of it vanishes as we lose ourselves in each other.

The taste of him is intoxicating, raw, a mix of passion and something deeper, something that feels like a promise. His hands slide down, fingers skimming my bare skin, sending shivers racing through me, each touch drawing me further under, further into him. I cling to him, my fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer, needing him, needing this.

He breaks the kiss for a breath, his forehead resting against mine, his voice a hoarse whisper. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this." The words send a thrill through me, my pulse racing, as if hearing them for the first time, though I realize I've sensed it in every look, every touch he's given me.

I smile, pulling him back down, my voice barely a whisper. "T