Open Marriage, Broken Promises: When Love Turns to Ashes novel Chapter 11

And yet, James had never taken it off.

Inside the bathroom, he hesitated for a second.

"…Emily liked it."

The first time he saw her, she was cornered in an alley.

A group of guys had her pinned, sneering, demanding payment.

He had only been passing by.

It wasn't his problem.

But then he noticed—

Her hair was messy from struggling, a few strands sticking to her delicate face.

Her collar had been yanked down, exposing smooth, pale skin.

She was outnumbered.

And yet—her eyes burned like steel, sharp enough to cut through the dark.

For a moment, James forgot to breathe.

By the time he came to his senses, he was already standing in front of her.

Shielding her.

The men weren't happy.

Some random guy stepping in?

They grabbed their beer bottles, ready to smash them over his head.

But before they could—

She moved.

Throwing herself in front of him.

CRASH.

Glass shattered.

Blood dripped.

He stared, stunned.

She stood there, head bleeding—

And yet, she grabbed a broken shard and lunged.

The gang scattered.

She didn't thank him.

She just glared.

Told him to mind his own damn business.

The water shut off.

James lowered his gaze.

That night, the bottle didn't just shatter on her skull.

It shattered something inside him, too.

The wind outside was cold.

He never should have left her out there alone.

James pulled on a robe and stepped out.

"Go home, Lily," he said.

"Emily wouldn't like this."

Lily froze.

Hate churned inside her, relentless and suffocating.

She was smarter, prettier—the golden child, the one their parents adored.

So why the hell did Emily get to take anything from her?

Lily swayed her curvy hips, pressing herself against him.

"C'mon, baby. One more round."

Emily was about to refuse—until she took a step and nearly collapsed.

Might as well take the free ride.

She slid into the passenger seat, watching as Alex buckled her seatbelt for her.

"You always this helpful, Mr. Good Samaritan?"

He'd been with her all night.

Did he really expect nothing in return?

Alex smirked.

"Yeah. I save up my good deeds for the year and use 'em all on you."

His dry humor eased the tension.

Emily let out a small laugh.

"I thought…"

She thought he was just like Michael.

Alex read her like an open book.

"Ouch. That's kinda insulting."

Emily hummed.

"Well, we're not close."

"Give it time, maybe I'll stop making those mistakes."

She said it lightly, but it didn't feel bad.

Alex grinned.

"Then I'll be waiting."

Emily didn't respond.

She was done waiting.

Done hesitating.