Dear Husband Let's Have An Open Marriage

~Lora~

If I hadn't turned on the bedroom light tonight, I wouldn't have discovered my husband's betrayal... or lost everything.

Why did it have to be tonight?

On our matrimonial bed.

I reached for him, unsure of what I truly wanted to do, but my body moved before my mind could catch up.

"Get off me, you slow wench!" Michael exclaimed as he yanked my arms away from him.

My ears rang.

That word...'wench'...felt unreal.

I tried to regain my composure and pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. "What do you mean by 'slow'? And what's with the 'wench'? Where is all this coming from, Michael?" I asked as I pursued him once more, gripping his collar tightly.

"Didn't you hear him? Back off! Ugh, you're going to make me puke..." Ivy, his secretary, intervened.

Thank God I turned on the light; I was able to catch him red-handed. If not, he might claim I had seen things.

"Where did I go wrong, huh?" I asked, tears streaming down my face.

I glanced at Ivy again, her skin didn't glow like mine, and her eyes weren't the grey and hazel colors of mine.

I was undeniably prettier.

But there was something else...

"Why can't you just be up to my standard and class, Lora?" Michael asked for the hundredth time.

He had always wanted a more classy and sexily dressed wife, which I am not.

"So, is that what this is all about?" I asked, my voice cracking as I stared at the man I gave up everything for.

He scoffed, rolling his eyes like I was some kind of burden. "Don't make this dramatic, Lora. It's not like I've been hiding it, Maybe a month ago... a year or two? I don't even remember. You were always too busy doing you."

My stomach twisted. "You don't even remember when you started sleeping with her?"

Ivy laughed, flipping her hair as she perched on the edge of our bed...my bed. "He remembers how good I made him feel, though. Isn't that right, babe?"

"Don't call him that," I snapped.

"Oh, please," she sneered. "You should be thanking me. At least now he's honest."

I turned back to Michael, searching his face for even a hint of regret. "And what about us? About everything we've built? The vows we took?"

"Don't act surprised, Lora....You were boring to me."

"Boring?" I blinked, stunned.

Ivy laughed behind him. "He needed someone exciting. Someone who knows how to satisfy a man."

"Shut up!" I glared at her.

"No, let her talk," he said, smiling towards her. "She's saying what I've been too nice to say."

I blinked, trying to stop the tears. "So what now? You're leaving?"

He smirked. "No. I'm proposing an open marriage. You do you, I do me."

I froze. "You're not serious."

"Dead serious. Maybe you'll stop being clinging for once."

Now it's "clinging" to him.

Great.

I sniffed, my hands trembling as the envelope from the doctor slipped from my fingers and hit the floor.

I didn't move, neither did he.

My eyes just followed, watching it slide under the couch.

He didn't notice.

Good.

He doesn't need to know I'm pregnant anymore.

I clenched my jaw. "You disgust me."

"Right back at you, sweetheart," he muttered, already turning to Ivy.

He shrugged, planting soft kisses on her palm. "Maybe we need something new.... we should try it... Ivy doesn't mind sharing, and you might actually loosen up for once if you had someone else."

My mouth dropped open. "You can't be serious? You cheat, and now you want permission?"

"I'm giving you a chance to be happy too," he said, hands in his pocket.

I blinked again, trying to focus, but my head was spinning. Pregnant... I was pregnant. And now this?

Michael crossed his arms. "You never really fit into my world, Lora. Maybe now you can find someone else who does."

My vision blurred with tears, my jaw clenched tight.

No, no, no, not here.

Not in front of them.

I turned away, pushing the tears back just for a moment.

Just to breathe.

And as I did, something in me broke...

I didn't know how it happened, but i...just couldn't hold it anymore.

"Why betray me like this? What does she have that I don't?!" I screamed, grabbing his shirt again and shoving her out of his arms.

Michael stepped back, jaw tight. "Class, Lora. For fuck's sake. You're one of the most famous fashion designers and my wife, yet you walk around dressed like this?" He waved a disgusted hand at me. "It's embarrassing. Haven't I tried? Look at yourself."

I trembled. "Bu..t I've always dressed like this. You met me, fell in love and married me like this.. so why?"

He said, loud and clear. "Don't drag love into this."

My heart stuttered, that hurt more than the cheating ever could.

"Then what was it? She's not even to compar...." I started, but he cut me off.

"Please, don't embarrass yourself further. Accept it. And no, we're not getting a divorce. I won't give you my signature or consent. So let's end this pathetic show..." He sneered, looking straight into my eyes.

"Show?!" I snapped, and before I could stop myself, I slapped him hard across the face.

A loud crack echoed, with his cheek turning red instantly.

I didn't mean to, it just happened

"You..." he growled and shoved me, hard.

I stumbled backward, my heels catching the edge of the rug.

My body twisted mid-air, and then...

CRASH.

I landed on the glass table and it shattered beneath me.

Everything happened so fast, I felt pain explode through my head.

I gasped, but no air came.

My chest hammered, my ears rang, and everything blurred.

Michael's voice faded into the background.

But then I heard it, a soft scoff....a whisper, close to my ear.

"Good riddance, now you'll know your place."

The last thing I felt was the cold bite of betrayal.

And then...

Nothing.

~Lora~

"Mrs. Brown, can you hear me?"

A faint voice stirred me from the darkness.

I blinked rapidly as everything became clear.

"Thank God you're awake", the nurse said, smiling warmly, relief washed over her.

"What happened?" I asked hoarsely, my body feeling strangely light...numb.

"You collapsed on stage, ma'am."

On stage?

My mind flared.. Michael... Ivy... blood...

The betrayal was vivid in my mind, too vivid to be a dream.

"Are you... are you sure?" My voice trembled. None of it aligned with what my mind remembered.

She nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Thankfully, you finished your speech before you fainted."

"Wait... when exactly did I collapse?"

"During your speech at the award winning show, today." She gently checked my pulse, her touch grounding me.

Today?

No, that wasn't right.

I remembered having an argument with Michael, my palm across his cheek, and being pushed...

"I didn't... bleed?" I asked, confused.

She gave a soft laugh. "No, ma'am. Just fatigue. You're perfectly fine now."

She handed me my phone. "Your husband's been trying to reach you."

My husband?

The man who..

I pinched my arm sharply, the sting was real.

I wasn't daydreaming.

Shaking slightly, I powered on my phone.

The date glared at me: 22nd of June, 2023.

No. Something's not right..

I was sure it should be the 22nd of September, 2024.

"What day is it?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"June 22nd, ma'am," she confirmed.

Not September.

Not a year later.

"Are you feeling disoriented? Maybe I should check your vitals again," she said, stepping closer.

"No, I'm fine, I lied, forcing a smile. Can I get discharged today?"

"Yes, but please try to get some rest." She frowned slightly.

I nodded, and after much examination, she left to prepare the discharge papers.

Immediately the door closed shut, cold air ran through my spine.

Was everything I remembered... just a dream?

I looked at my phone screen again.

My wedding picture with Michael, which shouldn't be, is still set as my screensaver.

My phone rang, jolting me back to reality. "Hello?" I said, pressing it to my ear.

"Oh my, thank goodness! Lora. You gave me a scare." The voice sighed with relief.

"James, is it really you?" I asked to confirm it was my assistant.

"Come on, are you still not back to yourself? You know what I'll be down there in an hour; Let me just wrap things up here."

"Things? Where are you?" I inquired, confused.

"At the club concert. We need to arrange for some of our people to come in."

"Yeah, I remember. There's an after-party for all the celebrities and winners."

"Don't worry, I exempted your name," he said, fast.

"No, wait. I'll attend. Get me a dress, and I'll meet you at your place."

"What? Are you sure?" he asked, his voice high pitched than normal.

"Yes, I'll see you."

"Oh great, 7pm it is." He said, surprised but excited, the call ended.

I would be surprised too, if someone had told me I'd say yes to hanging out with actual people.

In a fucking loud place.

But whatever this was....a dream, nightmare, second chance...I wasn't staying in this bed.

I'll take back my life before I wake up from any of it.

Three hours later, I stood in front of a glass skyscraper.

Although it was dark, the disco lights, chandeliers, and flickering cameras illuminated everything brightly.

"Are you sure about this, Lora?" James asked as I handed him my phone.

"Yes," I replied, smirking. "And please put it on Do Not Disturb."

He looked stunned, but just acted.

I adjusted my red designer slit dress, which revealed my perfect cleavage and curves. The sudden murmurs around me confirmed I had turned heads.

James extended his arm to hold mine, and together we entered the party. All eyes were on us....well, mostly on me.

I tried to exude confidence, but could feel the sweat forming on my palms.

"Wow, glad you could make it, Mrs. Brown. Please turn for the camera. Strike a pose!"

The swarm of paparazzi was overwhelming, yet for the first time, I loved the attention, all the cameras focused on me.

A few minutes later, my legs throbbed from standing in heels, but the adrenaline kept me upright.

I managed to sit at one of the tables in a bar, glancing around, trying to get the feel of everything.

"Someone's looking all sexy tonight." I heard a familiar voice and knew exactly who it was.

"George, good to see you again!" I exclaimed as I extended my arms to hug him, surprising him in the process.

George Maculay, a business tycoon and one of my admirers. He had been upset when I chose Michael over him and often nagged about it.

And now his eyes sparkled, and I couldn't help but return it with a broad smile.

"I thought you said you couldn't make it, even had to spam your secretary with emails, which I'm sure you ignored," he started.

Should I call him shameless?

He never stopped wooing me, flowers, gift cards, parcels, which I always turn down.

But maybe now, I might as well accept them all.

"I'm sorry. You know I've been busy with designs, dresses... what's not," I replied.

"I get it...always too busy for me. Where's your husband by the way?" he asked, and my smile flattered instantly, replaced by anger and...maybe disgust.

"Oh, he's busy," I said, sipping my blueberry cocktail.

"You know you don't go anywhere or do anything without him," he cleared his throat. "I'm surprised you came today, wearing this..." He roamed his gaze all over me.

Did I feel guilty for loving the way he looked at me right now?

Not even a little.

"C'mon, George, enough of the Michael talk. Let's enjoy the party," I said as I ordered whiskey for our table.

"Okay, that's fine, gorgeous, if you insist," he grinned.

James had wandered off into the crowd.

The party was lively, and the DJ was playing great music.

But I stood still like a damn statue. Yeah, don't judge, not much of a dancer anymore.

I turned my gaze back to him and couldn't help but notice how dark and well-trimmed his hair was and how his eyes sparkled in the light.

Not to mention his smile; it was cute and seductive in a way.

I cleared my throat, staring at his lips. It begged for attention.

Was I moving too fast?

Who cares..

My gaze linger on him, and he noticed, for a brief moment, I couldn't hear the noise around us.

Sly, charming George, he got the signal.

He leaned forward, his warm palm against my cheek.

I tilted my head, meeting him and did the unthinkable.

My lips brushed against his...gentle and soft, he deepened it, a mixture of mint and whiskey.

I swallowed, as his tongue fondled with mine.

I wanted more.

But then, the moment was ruined by the stupid bartender.

"Here's your drink, ma'am," he said as he served us whiskey.

A sense of guilt washed over me, but I shoved it down my throat. "Uhm, so.."

He leaned in "You're different tonight"

"Am I?...or maybe difficult for you to handle?" I tilted my head.

"No, no. You know I've been dying for this," he grinned.

I smiled, enjoying the moment.

But then the air shifted, as though someone was watching us.

~Lora~

I made my way to the VVIP lounge, trying to clear my thoughts of everything, especially the feeling that someone was watching me.

I took another shot of the whiskey, its warmth against my throat distracted me.

Now I regret handing my phone to James, because he was nowhere on sight. And I wanted to get out of here.

"You should slow down. Don't you think so? That's your fifth shot," Nicholas said as he took the drink from me.

"How'd you know it's not my first? I see someone's keeping a close eye on me. You know what? I think you're my biggest fan," I staggered, smirking.

"You wish, princess. I'd rather not sew a single dress for a day than stare at you," he said, smiling mischievously.

"Oh please, like I didn't catch you drooling just now," I chuckled.

Nicholas Wayne.

We were rivals in the fashion world, but things were different outside of it.

He always brought out my competitive side and teased me for being too serious.

"What are you doing here? Thought you said you couldn't make it since your husband wouldn't come?"

"For fuck's sake, why is everyone so obsessed with Michael? It's as if my whole life revolves around him," I muttered under my breath.

He chuckled softly, ignoring my frustration.

"Well, I changed my mind, sweetheart. I'm here now...or does it bother you that I'm stealing the spotlight?" I teased. "Second place."

"Ouch, burn! You're glad I let you off easily. You couldn't even hold yourself together; you passed out right on stage. That's enough for stealing the spotlight, huh?" He shot back, laughter spilling out of him.

Even when I struggled, Nicholas had a way of breaking through to me.

I called him my Friendly Nemesis.

"At least it's better than being in second place," I replied, poking him on the forehead.

I always did that and escaped, but this time he caught my wrist.

His expression changed, it was different from a few minutes ago. More intense.

For a second, everything else just... muted. Not gone, just background noise.

His eyes locked on mine, and it hit harder than it should've.

It had the same look he had given me during our picnic date with other fashion designers last year.

Which I had brushed off as overthinking.

And damn, he looked good.

But right now, I hated how aware I suddenly became of him... his messy curls, the way his shirt clung to him just enough.

One look and my thoughts went places they had no business going.

God, what the hell is wrong with me?

I shook my head, trying to break our gaze.

He cleared his throat. "So, what are you doing here, Lora?"

"I should be asking you the same," I replied.

This area was filled with people tangled up in each other's embrace, smooches everywhere, and distant moans.

Chaotic and perfect VVIP display.

"Well, I'm hoping to catch a thing or two... you know, as a bachelor," he smirked. "But you? A married woman?.. Shouldn't be here, princess.

"Why? Think I can't handle myself? Or are you worried I might be pushing buttons?" I asked, tilting my head with a grin.

"Not in the least," he shot back.

"Are you sure?" I asked, moving closer.

"Absolutely. Though you should be the one scared. Who knows, I might just steal you away tonight."

I pouted, inched closer, legs slightly apart, daring him. "You better call it quits before I charm my way through you," I said, smirking.

"What if I don't want to." He teased, his fingers traced along my thigh, the slit in my dress giving him easy access.

"Are you sure you won't beg me to stop?" he added, seeing I didn't bulge.

"You're scared?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

He smirked softly, and then his hand caressed my thigh while the other teased my lips.

My gaze dropped to his, wet and dangerously tempting.

"Why are you different tonight?"

I rolled my eyes, this same question again.

"I've always been like this.. you just didn't notice," I teased.

He stared at me like he couldn't believe it..

I doubted myself as well, but reached for his collar anyways, his face inches from mine.

I caught hold of his scent...Chocolate Musk.

It wrapped around me, warm and familiar, making my body react faster than my mind could catch up.

Did I have too much to drink?

I lingered in his gaze, closer than I should've been.

His breath brushed my cheek, grazed his fingers down the edges of my lips, tilted his head, waiting as though he needed to be sure I wanted it.

My breath hitched, because we weren't joking anymore.

Part of me screamed I shouldn't, but another part... laughed. "I'll do whatever I want tonight."

It's over between us Michael, and you'll regret killing me.

I landed my lips on Nicholas, just a short peck. He took that as his cue and deepened the kiss, slamming his tongue into my mouth.

Mine trying to figure out how he tasted.

He got comfortable, planting kisses around my cheeks, my jawline and every close area to my neck, working his other arm on my thigh.

I felt his fingers sliding upward, but I caught his wrist halfway.

He stopped as he understood the signal.

Even though I wanted to get rid of my pain, I wasn't completely wasted.

He continued kissing my side, roaming his tongue behind my ear.

I struggled to contain my moans amid his embrace.

"Do you want to call it quits, princess? He growled low, behind my ears.

"No". I whispered.

But then, I felt something else.

A strong pull.

I tried to steady myself, turning my gaze to look at who the hell it was, but his voice cut through.

I froze mid-air.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Pookie?" he asked.

Pookie.

Only one person calls me that.

Him.

Bu..but why's he here?

"Hey man, what's your problem?" Nicholas snapped.

"I wasn't talking to you," he fired back.

"Let's go," he said, grabbing my wrist.

I tried to break free.

"Let go of me! How dare you try to touch me.."

But he wouldn't listen.

Instead, he did the unthinkable.