Open Marriage, Broken Promises: When Love Turns to Ashes novel Chapter 6

James frowned.

"If you're going to be this petty, just go home!"

He grabbed his pack of cigarettes and stood up.

"I'm going out for a smoke."

Watching his hurried exit, Emily's smile faded.

What good was winning the argument?

In this game, she'd lost completely.

The room fell awkwardly silent, the hired hosts exchanging uneasy glances.

Emily picked up an empty bottle and spun it.

"Don't just stand there. Let's play a game."

Drinks, laughter, and indulgence—life's greatest pleasures.

She was going to live in the moment.

When James returned with Lily, Emily had just lost a game and was picking someone to kiss.

Michael winked at James.

"You're late, man. You almost missed the show."

James didn't seem angry.

He walked over and wrapped an arm around Emily's slender waist.

He acted as if nothing had happened between them.

"With me here, who else would you choose?"

Emily glanced at the lipstick stain on his collar.

The bright red mark felt like a slap across her face.

Sharp, stinging, and numbing.

She looked at him, confused.

Did all men have this habit of wanting everything?

She scoffed and pointed to a man at the edge of the room. "Him."

As soon as she said it, she felt James stiffen beside her.

She pried his fingers off her waist one by one. "Babe, even the same flavor gets boring. Let me try something new."

Her voice was sweet, but her steps were firm as she walked toward the other man.

The man in the corner just raised an eyebrow and closed his eyes, unfazed.

Emily cupped his face and realized how striking his features were—sharp jawline, tall frame, narrow waist, broad shoulders.

Through his shirt, she could see the outline of his well-defined muscles.

Among the flashy hosts, he stood out effortlessly.

For a moment, she felt a pang of envy.

So this was what a carefree life looked like.

If she could, she'd want to indulge like this too.

Just as she leaned in, a scream cut through the air.

Lily finally couldn't hold back.

"Emily! Are you insane?"

"You're embarrassing our family!"

Embarrassing?

Wasn't she just playing a game?

She straightened up, ready to retort.

Her voice was gentle, but it somehow made James feel worse.

He grabbed her hand, his frown deepening.

"Let's go home."

Without waiting for anyone's reaction, he pulled her out of the room.

In the car.

Emily stared out the window.

After midnight, the streets were empty, and the chill made her pull her shawl tighter.

Seeing her unresponsive, James pulled the car over to the side of the road.

Emily snapped out of her thoughts.

"Why are we stopping?"

James looked at her, his eyes burning like a jealous husband who'd just caught his wife cheating. "Aren't you going to explain yourself?"

Explain?

The question caught Emily off guard.

Why should she explain?

Isn't this what an open marriage is all about?

She leaned back in her seat, answering matter-of-factly, "I'm just trying out the lifestyle you suggested."

She was experimenting, even finding some joy in it.

James was speechless.

He could still smell the alcohol on her—most of it from Lily, though he didn't seem to remember that.

"Emily, I know you're doing this to get back at me."

Such a confident statement.