Semua Bab I AGREED TO MY HUSBAND'S OPEN MARRIAGE RULES: Bab 41 - Bab 50

Stacy's POVThe silence in Michael's mansion had become a physical weight. I paced the bedroom, my fingers tracing the rich fabric of the curtains. I need to see them. The thought wouldn't leave me. My parents. They were the architects of this prison, pushing me into Matt's arms for his money, his name. I had to face them. I had to make them see.Michael was gone for the day. A business meeting, the staff said. The bodyguards at the gates were a silent, unmovable fact. I watched from an upstairs window as a maid carried a tray from the kitchen wing toward the main house. An idea, desperate and clear, clicked into place.When the young woman entered my room with a lunch tray, her eyes politely looking away, I didn't hesitate. "I'm so sorry," I whispered, right before I brought the heavy ceramic water pitcher down. It connected with her temple with a dull thud. Not hard enough to cause real harm, I prayed, but enough. She crumpled, a soft sigh escaping her lips.Guilt was a sharp, sour

Michael's POVThe garage air was cold, but the heat between us in the car felt like a living thing. Her lips were still parted from my kiss. Her breath coming in short, sharp puffs. She tastes like fear and defiance. A potent mix. I kept my hand on her hip. Anchoring her to the seat. To me."You had people watching my parents' house," she said. Not a question. Her voice was a shaky accusation."Of course I did." I didn't move my hand. "You left my protection. You walked right into the lion's den. Did you think I'd just let you?""I don't need your protection, Michael. I can handle my own life."A dry laugh escaped me. I leaned back. Studying her in the dim light. The maid's dress was cheap. Threadbare. It made her look vulnerable. Which only sharpened the protective urge clawing at my chest. "Running through the streets in a stolen uniform? Facing down your husband and his pregnant mistress with no backup? That's not handling your life, Stacy. That's playing with fire while holding ou

Stacy's POVI tried to move past Clara and her friends, my shopping bags rustling as I shifted them in my hands. But they blocked my path, forming a wall of designer clothes and smug faces."Where do you think you're going?" Clara said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "We're not done talking to you."One of her friends—a blonde with too much makeup—laughed. "Did you see her face when we walked up? She looked like a scared little mouse.""That's because she is," the other friend, a brunette with sharp eyes, added. "Abandoned by her husband. Pregnant with some wild man's baby. It's pathetic, really."My chest tightened. The old fear threatened to rise up and swallow me whole. But I forced it down. I'm not that woman anymore.David stepped forward, his voice professional but firm. "Ladies, I suggest you move aside. Mrs. Harrington has shopping to complete."Clara's eyes flicked to him dismissively. "Oh, the assistant is speaking. How cute." She turned back to me, her smile vicio

Stacy's POVMatt's hand tightened around my throat, his fingers digging into my skin like iron claws. The edges of my vision started to blur, black spots dancing before my eyes. He's really trying to kill me. The realization hit like ice water. He doesn't care if I die. He doesn't care at all.My hands clawed at his wrist, desperate, but he was too strong. My lungs screamed for air. The baby. I have to protect the baby.Survival instinct took over. I brought my knee up hard and fast, aiming for his groin with every ounce of strength I had left.The impact was solid and satisfying."Ahh!" Matt's grip instantly loosened as he doubled over, his face contorting with pain. He stumbled back, clutching himself, a string of curses pouring from his lips.I gasped, sucking in precious air, my throat burning. My hand flew protectively to my stomach as I pressed myself against the wall, putting distance between us.Clara's eyes went wide, her mouth falling open in shock. She clearly hadn't expect

Matt's POVI stood in the middle of Clara's hospital room, my chest heaving with rage. The door had barely closed behind Stacy and that silver-haired bastard before I felt like I was going to explode.She walked away from me. She actually walked away. With him.My hands clenched into fists so tight my knuckles turned white. The humiliation burned through me like acid. She defied me. Threatened me. Recorded me. And now she was going to sue me?The absolute nerve. The audacity."Matt?" Clara's voice was small, tentative. "Are you okay?"I couldn't even look at her. "Rest," I snapped. "I need to think."I stormed out of the room, my vision tinged with red. Every person I passed in the hallway seemed to be in my way. A nurse with a cart—I shoved it aside, medical supplies clattering to the floor. An orderly walking too slowly—I pushed past him so hard he stumbled into the wall."Sir! Sir, you need to calm down!" A security guard approached me, his hand on his radio."Stay the fuck away fr