Semua Bab I AGREED TO MY HUSBAND'S OPEN MARRIAGE RULES: Bab 21 - Bab 30

The sharp click of the front door locking behind me was the sound of my cage door sealing shut. The peaceful afterglow from the restaurant, the lingering warmth of Michael’s protective embrace, evaporated instantly, replaced by the sterile, cold air of Matt’s domain.He was waiting in the living room, a single glass of amber whiskey in his hand, swirling it slowly as he watched me take off my heels.“Long dinner,” he said, his voice deceptively light. A predator playing with its food.“It was productive. The Japanese investors were very impressed with the presentation,” I said, keeping my tone neutral, professional. I placed my shoes neatly in the closet, a practiced, submissive gesture.“I’m sure they were.” He took a slow sip, his eyes never leaving me. “Come. Sit. Tell me about your productive day.”I obeyed, perching on the edge of the stiff silk sofa, my knees pressed tightly together. He remained standing, looking down at me, a king surveying his subject.“So. How is old Michae

Matt's POVThe silence of my office was thick, filled with the scent of polished wood and my own ambition. Spread across the massive desk were the plans for the Blackwood project. This one. This was the deal that had escaped me for years. The prize. The one that would finally put Harrington Holdings on the map in a way my father never managed. My fingers traced the projected revenue figures, a cold smile touching my lips. All mine.But the numbers alone wouldn't win it. The committee favored collaboration, a show of unified corporate strength. A performance. And I had the perfect actress waiting in the wings.Stacy.A warm, possessive thrill ran through me. My wife. My beautiful, bendable tool. It was against her precious dignity, of course. The thought of using her like this would make those expressive eyes of hers go wide with hurt. Good. Let it hurt. Let her remember her place. She'd forgive me. She always did. She loved me with a desperate, pathetic intensity that I could always c

STACY'S POVThe word hung in the air between us, a tiny, defiant bubble about to pop. Matt's face went completely still, a terrifying mask of calm before the storm. Clara's smug smile finally melted into genuine shock."What did you just say to me?" Matt's voice was dangerously quiet, each word like a shard of ice.My heart was a frantic drum against my chest. I can't take it back. I won't.Before I could form another thought, his hand shot out and seized my wrist. His grip was like iron, biting into my skin. "I said, apologize," he snarled, his voice low and poisonous.He started to pull me from my chair, a violent, jerking motion. The heavy chair screeched against the marble floor, drawing every eye in the restaurant. My free hand grabbed the edge of the tablecloth, sending a wine glass teetering."Let go of me!" I cried out, my voice cracking with fear I couldn't control."You will learn some respect," he growled, his face inches from mine. His other hand came up, fingers curling.

STACY'S POVThe officer's pen hovered over the paper, waiting. "So you're confirming you were the driver, Mrs. Harrington?"My mouth was dry. Matt stood just behind the officer, his eyes boring into me. Cold. Calculating. Threatening."I... yes," I whispered. "I was driving."The officer frowned. "Ma'am, we have reason to believe—""She was driving," Matt cut in smoothly, stepping forward. "I'd had too much to drink at dinner. She insisted on taking the wheel. I should have stopped her, but..." He put on a concerned face. "She was so emotional."He's lying. They have to see he's lying.But then I thought of his family. Diana and Aunt Lydia with their cold, judging eyes. They'd never believe me. They'd side with him, just like they always did. They'd paint me as the hysterical, ungrateful wife who was trying to ruin their precious son's reputation."Mrs. Harrington, you could face serious charges," the officer said gently. "Are you sure about this statement?"Matt leaned in, his hand o

Stacy's POVThe sterile smell of antiseptic was the first thing I noticed. My eyes fluttered open, the harsh fluorescent lights making me squint. White ceiling tiles. Beeping monitors. Hospital.I tried to sit up, but my head swam. A gentle hand pressed my shoulder back down."Easy, Mrs. Harrington. You need to rest." A kind-faced doctor stood beside my bed, his clipboard in hand. He had gray hair and warm brown eyes that crinkled at the corners."What... what happened?" My voice came out raspy, my throat dry."You collapsed from exhaustion and dehydration. We've given you IV fluids, and you're stable now." He pulled up a chair and sat down, his expression becoming more serious. "But Mrs. Harrington, there's something else we need to discuss."My stomach clenched. "What is it? Is something wrong?""No, nothing's wrong. Actually..." He paused, seeming to choose his words carefully. "The blood tests we ran showed elevated hormone levels. We did a confirmation test to be sure." He looke