All Chapters of I AGREED TO MY HUSBAND'S OPEN MARRIAGE RULES: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

Stacy’s POVThe bedsheets beneath me were damp with sweat, but not the kind that came from passion. My body ached in all the wrong ways as Matt moved above me, his eyes closed, lost in his own world. I bit down on my lip, trying not to wince."Matt, can you... slow down?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.He didn't respond. He never did during these moments. His hands gripped my hips tighter, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. This wasn't love.I turned my head to the side, staring at the wall, waiting for it to be over. The clock on the nightstand showed 10:47 PM. Three minutes had passed since we started. It felt like an eternity.My mind drifted to three years ago, to our wedding day. I remembered how nervous I was, how I'd actually smiled when our parents announced the arrangement. I'd liked Matt since college. He was handsome, successful, and I thought... I thought maybe we could make it work. Maybe he'd learn to love me t

Stacy’s POVThe name of the event hit me like a punch to the stomach. The Sterling Gala. I could still remember the awful taste of cheap champagne, still feel strange hands grabbing my waist. The memories came flooding back, making me feel sick."No," I whispered, the word slipping out before I could stop it. I moved back until my shoulders touched the cold wall. "Matt, please. Not that again. I… I can't."His face changed completely, all that fake kindness disappearing. "You can't?" he repeated, his voice quiet but dangerous. He stepped closer, and suddenly the room felt much smaller. "What did you just say to me?"Fear grabbed my throat. My mind raced, looking for any excuse, any way out. "I'm not feeling well. I think I'm getting sick. A fever. You wouldn't want me to embarrass you by being sick in front of everyone, would you?" The words tumbled out fast, desperate. "I'll be useless to you."A slow, mean smile spread across his face. He shook his head like I was a stupid child. "P

Stacy’s POVThe doorknob turned with a faint squeak. My heart hammered against my chest. This is it. He found me. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for Matt's fury, for his hands to drag me back to that hell.Then, Matt's voice, low and angry from the other side of the door. "My apologies for the interruption. It seems I was… mistaken."I heard a low, frustrated sound from Matt. Then, the sound of retreating footsteps. Heavy. Angry. The main door to the room clicked shut.Silence.It was over. He was gone. For now. The relief was so strong my knees buckled. I slid down the bathroom wall, the cold tile a shock against my hot skin. A broken sob escaped my lips before I could stop it. I clapped a hand over my mouth, terrified the sound would bring him back.The bathroom door swung open slowly.He stood there, framed in the doorway, that glass of amber liquid still in his hand. His sharp eyes scanned the small room, finding me curled on the floor. He didn't look angry. He looked... curious