Alle Kapitel von His Open Marriage, My Forbidden Secret : Kapitel 51 – Kapitel 60

The video went viral at three AM.Lia woke to her phone buzzing nonstop, notifications flooding in faster than she could read them. She grabbed it groggily, squinting at the screen.*@NewsChicago: BREAKING - Audio recording reveals Margaret Ashford threatening witness**@TMZ: Chicago socialite caught on tape threatening pregnant woman**@ChicagoSun: "I will destroy you both" - Margaret Ashford's shocking threats exposed*Lia sat up, her heart racing. Beside her, Caspian stirred."What's wrong?""The recording. Someone leaked it." She opened Twitter, and watched the view count climb in real time. "It's everywhere."Caspian grabbed his own phone. His expression darkened as he scrolled. "Patricia. She must have released it to counter Margaret's victim narrative."Lia clicked on the audio file. Margaret's voice filled the quiet bedroom, cold and venomous:*"You will reconcile with Julian, or I will take that baby... I will destroy you both... If you tell anyone about this conversation, I'

Judge Andrea Morrison's courtroom was nothing like Judge Harmon's.Where Harmon's had been all dark wood and intimidation, Morrison's was bright, efficient, modern. Where Harmon had looked at Lia like she was something he'd scraped off his shoe, Morrison met her eyes with professional neutrality."Ms. Ashford," she said, reviewing the file. "Or should I say Ms. Chen? I see you've filed to reclaim your maiden name.""Yes, Your Honor." Lia's voice was steady. Caspian sat behind her in the gallery, a silent presence giving her strength."Good. Let's begin." Morrison pulled up documents on her screen. "I've reviewed the case history. The previous judge's recusal, the evidence of bias, Mrs. Margaret Ashford's witness tampering." She looked up. "This is one of the messier divorces I've seen. But the law is actually quite clear."Patricia leaned forward. "Your Honor, we're requesting—""I know what you're requesting, Ms. Morrison. And I'm granting it." Judge Morrison typed something. "The ma

Security dragged Julian backward, but his eyes never left Lia's face."I'm sorry," he called out. "I just needed to know—""Let's go, Mr. Ashford." The guards pulled him around the corner. His voice faded down the hallway.Lia's monitors beeped frantically. The nurse pressed buttons, checked readings."Your blood pressure just spiked. You need to breathe. Deep breaths.""He violated the restraining order—""And security's handling it. You need to focus on staying calm for the baby." The nurse adjusted Lia's IV. "I'm giving you something to help you relax.""I don't want—""Doctor's orders. You're at risk for preterm labor. We're not taking chances."The medication hit fast. Lia's limbs felt heavy, her thoughts sluggish. She tried to fight it but her eyes drifted closed.When she woke, morning light filtered through the blinds. Caspian was in the chair beside her bed, watching her with dark circles under his eyes."You came back," she murmured."Dorian called. Said Julian showed up." H

The first letter arrived on Monday.Handwritten envelope, no return address, delivered with the regular mail. Lia recognized Julian's handwriting immediately.She should have thrown it away. Should have called Patricia, documented the violation, added it to the growing pile of evidence.Instead, she opened it.*Lia,**I know you don't want to hear from me. I know every word I write is probably just making things worse. But my therapist says I need to be honest about my feelings, even if no one ever reads this.**I'm in therapy. Real therapy. Three times a week. Dr. Patel says I have codependency issues stemming from childhood trauma. That my mother's control shaped every relationship I've ever had. That I don't know how to love someone without trying to own them.**I'm trying to be better. Not for you, I know it's too late for us. But for myself. So maybe someday I can have a healthy relationship with someone who isn't you.**I'm sorry for everything. I'll probably say that a thousand

The car ride home was silent.Caspian drove with his jaw clenched, knuckles white on the steering wheel. Dorian had taken a separate car, giving them space. But the space felt suffocating.Lia stared out the window, her hand on her belly. The baby was moving, oblivious to the tension."Are you not going to talk to me?" she asked finally."What do you want me to say?""Anything. You've been silent since we left the park."Caspian pulled into the Lake Forest driveway, parked, and got out without a word. Lia followed him inside, frustration building."Caspian—"He spun around so fast she stumbled back. "He said he'll always love you.""I know.""And you're okay with that?" His voice was too dangerous."No. I'm not okay with it. But I can't control what he feels—""Can't you?" Caspian moved closer. "You could have not gone. Could have ignored his letter. Could have told him to fuck off and leave you alone. But you didn't.""I needed closure—""Bullshit. You wanted to see him. I wanted to