My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan)

CHAPTER 028: Don't Know Where To Put It?

We pull up to Luke's place a few minutes later, and I almost forget to breathe.

This isn't just a house. It's a mansion-a literal mansion, all sharp angles, stone walls, and towering windows. The driveway winds through a huge garden, the kind of lush, manicured greenery that feels like something out of a dream. Luke glances over, catching me staring, and smirks. He hops out of the car, strolling around to my side.

"Do you live here alone?" I ask, half whispering.

"Why?" He looks amused. "Does it seem lonely?"

"Lonely? No, just... massive."

He laughs softly. "I like space," he says, and though the answer feels simple, I get the sense there's more

to it.

"I can see that," I say.

He extends his arm dramatically. "Welcome to my castle, Julie. Mi casa es tu casa."

The air is cool, and the scent of jasmine drifts over us as we head up the stone steps. I glance around, taking in the enormous front door and stone pillars. This place feels almost enchanted.

Inside, it's even more impressive. We enter a grand hall, and I can't help but stare. A chandelier the size of a small car dangles from a ceiling so high that it's almost painful to look at. Everything here is as elegant as it is intimidating. Just then, a voice echoes through the room.

"Lucas! You're finally home! I've told you, you work too damn much!"

I look over and see an elderly man in a wheelchair by the fireplace, watching us.

Luke sighs, pushing a hand through his hair, then crosses his arms. "And I've told you countless times not to wait up for me, old man. I'm not your wife."

"True enough," the man says, grinning. "She had more hair and a lot less attitude." He shifts in his chair. This house is eerie as hell at night."

"You wouldn't have to deal with it if you stayed at the group home like I suggested," Luke counters.

The old man huffs, waving a hand dismissively. "Ghosts would be better than being surrounded by the near-dead any day."

I can't help it, I chuckle. This causes the old man's eyes fall on me, and I suddenly feel as though I've made some terrible mistake. His eyes narrow, shifting from a look of surprise to something sharper, as he takes a slow tour of me from head to toe.

I shift, glancing to Luke, who steps closer, clearing his throat. "Julie, meet the terror of this household- my grandfather, Javier Martinez, who doesn't let me live in peace." He nods in the old man's direction." Come over and say hi, Julie." As if I have much of a choice. The old man's gaze is as intense as a searchlight, sweeping over every inch

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CHAPTER 028: Don't Know Where To Put It?

of me, leaving no detail unchecked. I walk forward, feeling the weight of that scrutiny like a physical touch, awkwardly clearing my throat as I say, "Hi."

Nothing. He just stares, his expression unreadable, unt I glance toward Luke, feeling uncomfortable.

"Lucas, you got yourself a girlfriend?" Javier finally says.

Luke's face reddens, his jaw clenching slightly as he stammers, "Julie and I-we're friends."

The old man chuckles, unconvinced. "Friends, huh?" He taps his fingers on the arm of the wheelchair and squints at me. "Come closer, Julie. I can't see you clearly from here."

I inch forward, and he waves me on. "Closer. Closer. And... down a little, too."

I can hear Luke muttering something behind me that sounds like, "When did you develop shortsightedness?"

Finally, I'm crouching in front of the old man, face-to-face with his appraising eyes. He takes a long sniff, leaning forward. Then, without warning, he grabs my arm, pulling me closer.

"Nice fragrance," he says.

I blink, shocked and speechless. Before I can process any of it, Luke steps forward, tugging me away from his grandfather. "Honestly, have some self-respect," he says to Javier. "Where are your manners?"

But his grandfather is unbothered, chuckling even. "You millennials are so touchy these days. No fun. I was just getting to know your 'friend' here." He raises an eyebrow, shifting his gaze back to Luke. "So, have you put a baby in her yet?" ""No!" Luke and I both blurt out in unison, startled.

The old man frowns, looking disappointed. "Why? Don't know where to put it?"

Luke crouches down in front of him, his expression a mix of frustration and determination. "Look, Julie's had a rough day. Could you try not to make it worse?"

"What happened to her?" Javier asks. "Did she get robbed?"

Funny enough, that sounds exactly like what happened.

But Luke says, "She's going through a separation from her husband."

The old man's eyebrows shoot up, and he clucks his tongue. "Lucas, you're dating a married woman?" He shakes his head. "Why do you always pick the ones that'll break your heart?"

Luke groans, throwing his hands over his face.

I raise my hand, unable to hide my amusement. "I'm right here," I say, laughing. "For the record, it's a divorce, not a separation."

Luke turns around, startled. "Really?"

I nod. "Really."

His grandfather leans back, regarding me with a sigh. "Listen, Lucas, this is a bad idea. I'm telling you, ninety percent of women who leave their husbands go right back to them. Have you forgotten about your ex-wife, what she did to you?" 2/4

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CHAPTER 028 Don't Know Where To Put if?

Luke's face flushes with embarrassment as he gets to his feet, shooting me an apologetic look. "Julie, I'm so sorry. Can you wait in the hallway for just a minute?" He gestures to a nearby hallway, his eyes pleading.

I nod, biting back an uncomfortable sigh as I walk to the hall, still able to hear their heated exchange echoing faintly behind me. It's crazy because, right up until this moment, I knew nothing about Luke. I'd never even bothered to ask about him, about his past, about his present life. I'd just been so focused on Ryan and his mistress. Now, it seems Luke had a wife who supposedly broke his heart, and he has a tart- mouthed grandfather who lives with him.

"If you can't behave yourself in front of my guest," I hear Luke say, "I'll have you back at that group home so you can be with your fellow 'near dead."

I inch forward a little bit, eavesdropping.

There's a pause. And then I hear the low, dry rasp of his grandfather's laugh. "Oh my God, you're in love with her, aren't you?"

Silence. I can practically feel the tension in that heavy pause.

Finally, Luke says, "Whether I am or not is none of your business. If she tears my heart to shreds, that's also none of your business." His voice is sharp. "It's my heart, after all. And if you want to keep living here, you'll put on a smile and act like a human being for once." There's a long silence, then a defeated sigh from Javier. "Alright. But don't say I didn't warn you."

Footsteps echo toward me down the hall, and I straighten instinctively, heart beating just a little faster, pretending I haven't just eavesdropped on what feels like a very personal conversation. I'm still trying to fix my expression into something neutral when Luke's tall figure appears around the corner.

He stops when he sees me, his face falling just a little. "I'm so sorry about that. Javier...well, he has a lot of PTSD and paranoia. Years in service left him-"

"Oh, don't worry about it." I wave his apology away. "Have you met my family? I've been around worse." I grin. "Besides, he's...well, he's kind of sweet. And pretty funny."

Luke groans, rolling his eyes. "Do you want him? Because you're welcome to have him. Free of charge."

I laugh, feeling the earlier tension melting away.

He gestures down the hall. "Come on, let me show you where you'll be staying."

I fall into step beside him, glancing at the old family photos lining the walls. Some are faded, barely recognizable, others surprisingly well preserved. They're mostly black and white, featuring people with hard-set eyes and stern, proud expressions, staring into the camera. As we pass a particularly large painting of a stoic, mustached man, Luke clears his throat. "So...today, huh?" He glances sideways at me. "That's when you decided to divorce Ryan?"

"Today," I reply. I'm surprised by the lightness in my chest. I didn't realize until this moment just how heavy that decision had been weighing on me. "I guess I'd had enough of his games. Luke's lips curl up in a quiet smile. There's a warmth in his gaze that I feel even before I look at him. "Good. I'm happy for you. This calls for a celebration. How about champagne?" 3/4

CHAPTER 028: Don't Know Where To Put It?

"Yes, please," I say. "I need that, and I also need a very good lawyer. I mean to take Ryan down."

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