Decision

Lia didn't leave the bedroom for the rest of the day.

She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to process what Julian had just asked for. An open marriage. The words kept echoing in her head, getting louder each time.

He didn't even have the decency to look ashamed about it.

Her phone buzzed repeatedly. Isla checking in. Margaret called, probably to discuss some upcoming event. Lia ignored all of it. She couldn't talk to anyone right now. Couldn't pretend to be okay when her entire world was crumbling.

By evening, she heard Julian leave again. The front door closing, his car starting, the sound fading into the distance. Off to wherever he went when he wasn't home. Off to whoever he was seeing.

The house was too quiet after he left.

Lia got up, splashed cold water on her face in the bathroom. Her reflection looked like a stranger. Red-rimmed eyes, pale skin, hair a mess. When had she become this woman? This sad, hollow version of herself?

She thought about what Isla had said earlier. Leave him. Document everything. Fight back.

But fighting required energy she didn't have. Required money and lawyers and standing up to the Whitmore family machine that would crush her without a second thought.

An open marriage, though. That was different.

If Julian wanted to play that game, maybe she could too. Maybe it was time to stop being the good wife who turned the other cheek and pretended not to notice. Maybe it was time to take back some control.

The idea formed slowly, dangerously.

If he could cheat, so could she. If he wanted an open marriage, she'd give him exactly that. But on her terms. One night. One choice that was completely hers. Something to make her feel alive again instead of invisible.

Something that would hurt him the way he'd been hurting her for years.

She picked up her phone and called Isla.

"Finally," Isla answered on the first ring. "I've been worried sick. Are you okay? Did he do something?"

"He asked for an open marriage."

Silence. Then, "He what?"

"You heard me. He wants to keep seeing other people but stay married for appearances. Said I could see other people too if I wanted."

"That absolute bastard." Isla's voice was pure fury. "Please tell me you're leaving him. Please tell me you're getting out of there right now."

"I have a better idea." Lia's voice was steady now, the decision crystallizing. "I'm going to say yes."

"What? Lia, no. You can't seriously be considering this."

"Why not? He's going to do whatever he wants anyway. At least this way I'm not sitting at home waiting for him like an idiot."

"So what, you're going to start dating? Seeing other men?"

"Not dating. One night. Just one." Lia took a breath. "I want to hire someone. An escort. Someone professional who won't complicate things."

Another pause. "Are you serious right now?"

"Completely serious. Julian gets to have his fun? Fine. I get one night that's mine. One night where I'm not invisible. Where someone actually wants me."

"Lia, sweetie, I understand you're angry. But this isn't you. You don't do things like this."

"Maybe that's the problem. Maybe I've spent so long being good and perfect and doing what everyone expects that I forgot how to want anything for myself." Her voice cracked slightly. "I just want one night where I feel like I matter. Is that so wrong?"

Isla sighed heavily. "No. It's not wrong. You deserve to feel wanted. You deserve so much better than what Julian gives you. But are you sure about this? Once you do it, you can't take it back."

"I know. I've thought about it all day. This is what I want."

"Okay. Okay. If you're really doing this, at least let me help you do it safely. I have a friend who knows about these things. Exclusive services, very professional, very discreet. Let me make some calls."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. I still think you should just leave his ass. But if you're going to do this, we're doing it right."

They talked for another hour. Isla asked questions, made sure Lia was thinking clearly, and wasn't just acting out of hurt and anger. But with every question, Lia became more certain. This was what she needed. One night to reclaim herself.

By the time they hung up, Isla had promised to have information by tomorrow.

Lia spent the night alone again. Julian didn't come home. She didn't bother texting to ask where he was.

The next morning, Sunday, she went back to the café. Isla was waiting with coffee and a serious expression.

"I talked to my friend," Isla said, sliding a piece of paper across the table. "This is the contact information. It's an exclusive service. Expensive, but very professional. You call this number, tell them what you want, and they arrange everything."

Lia stared at the paper. A phone number. That was it. One call and she'd be crossing a line she could never uncross.

"They're discreet?" she asked.

"Completely. Their whole business depends on discretion. Rich clients, married clients, people who can't afford scandals. You'll be safe."

"How much does something like this cost?"

"A few thousand for the night. Can you access that kind of money without Julian noticing?"

Lia thought about the emergency credit card she'd hidden in her desk drawer. The one Julian didn't know about, that her parents had given her years ago just in case. She'd never used it. Never had a reason to.

Until now.

"I can manage it."

Isla reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "You're sure? Really sure? Because there are other ways to hurt him, Lia. Ways that don't involve you doing something you might regret."

"I won't regret it." She met her friend's eyes. "I need this. I need to know I can still make choices. That I'm not just Julian's accessory waiting at home."

"When?"

"Soon. This week. Before I lose my nerve."

They finished their coffee in silence. Lia folded the paper and put it in her purse. One phone call. That was all it would take.

She went home and found Julian in his study, working on his laptop. He barely looked up when she came in.

"I've decided," she said.

"Decided what?"

"The open marriage. My answer is yes."

Now he looked up, surprise flickering across his face. "Really?"

"Really. You were right. We're not happy. Maybe this is what we both need."

He studied her for a long moment, like he was trying to figure out if she was serious. "Okay. Good. I think this is the right choice."

"There are rules though." Lia's voice was steady. "We're discreet. No bringing people to the house. No flaunting it in public. And we still show up together for family events. We keep up appearances."

"Of course. That's the whole point."

"And Julian? This goes both ways. What you do, I can do too."

Something flashed in his eyes. Possessiveness maybe, or surprise that she'd actually exercise that right. "Sure. Whatever you want."

He didn't believe she would. She could see it in his expression. He thought she'd sit at home like always while he did whatever he pleased.

He was wrong.

That afternoon, after Julian left again, Lia locked herself in the bedroom and pulled out the piece of paper. Her hands shook as she dialed the number.

A woman answered on the third ring. Professional, warm voice. "Discreet Companions. How may I help you?"

Lia took a breath. "I'd like to arrange an appointment."

"Of course. Are you a new client?"

"Yes."

"Wonderful. Let me get some basic information from you."

The conversation was surprisingly easy. Clinical almost. The woman asked what Lia was looking for, what her preferences were, what her budget was. Lia answered honestly, feeling detached from her own voice. Was this really her doing this?

"I have someone perfect for you," the woman said finally. "Very professional, very handsome, excellent reviews. Would Friday evening work?"

Friday. Four days away. Four days to change her mind or commit completely.

"Friday works," Lia heard herself say.

"Excellent. I'll text you the hotel information. The Azure Hotel, downtown. We've reserved the penthouse suite. Your companion will arrive at eight PM. Payment is handled discreetly through the card on file. Do you have any questions?"

A thousand questions. But none she could ask.

"No. Thank you."

"Enjoy your evening, Mrs. Whitmore."

The line went dead.

Lia sat on the bed, phone in her hand, heart racing. She'd done it. I actually did it. In four days, she'd go to that hotel and sleep with a stranger. A man she'd never met. A man she was paying to want her for one night.

Julian would never expect her to actually go through with it. He thought she was too good, too proper, too afraid.

He was about to find out how wrong he was.

She texted Isla.

**Lia:** It's done. Friday night.

**Isla:** Are you okay?

**Lia:** I will be.

She hoped that was true. She hoped that Friday night would make her feel alive again instead of like a ghost in her own life.

She hoped Julian would realize what he'd pushed her to do.

But mostly, she hoped she'd have the courage to actually show up.

Four days. Four days until everything changed.