My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan)

CHAPTER 035: Chilaquiles

I don't bother correcting him, just smile back at the woman, letting her read whatever she wants into the silence. She beams at me, her whole face lighting up with genuine warmth, before turning back to Javier and fixing him with a raised brow. "Lucas has a girlfriend?" she says. "When did that happen?"

"Recently," Javier replies, his eyes fixed on me with a look that suggests he's more interested in studying my reaction than actually answering her question,

I offer a polite nod to the woman before making my way over to a nearby table, where I place my laptop and settle into a chair, still within earshot of their conversation. As I power the laptop on, I hear the woman's voice call over to me.

"Would you like some chilaquiles for breakfast, Julie?" she asks. "I just finished making them. Javier didn't tell me we had company, but thank God Lucas didn't eat his. He was in a hurry when he came down. You can have his. Paula will make you fat and healthy." I blink, taken aback. "Oh, right." I manage a grin, though I'm not sure whether I should be horrified or amused. "And... who's Paula?"

But she's already bustling out to the kitchen, presumably to grab the breakfast she's offered, leaving Javier to answer.

"That's her name." Javier chuckles. "And don't ever call her anything but Paula. She loves her name."

I nod and focus on setting up Microsoft Word, fingers hovering over the keyboard as I try to gather my thoughts. But before I can even start typing, Javier rolls over.

"What you got there?"

I glance up. "A laptop."

His eyes narrow. "Is there something I can help you with? I have many talents, you know."

I pause, my fingers frozen mid-type, as I consider his offer. After a beat, I pull my hands away from the laptop and lean back in my chair.

"Actually," I say, folding my arms. "There is something you could help me with."

"Shoot."

I take a steadying breath. "What happened between Luke and his ex-wife?"

Javier's expression changes instantly. The humor slips away, replaced by something more complex, something guarded. He looks down at his hands, fingers fidgeting, before he speaks in a low, thoughtful tone.

"Well," he begins, "that's a tricky one."

I wait, watching him. He rubs a hand over his jaw, maybe debating how much to say.

"It's not an easy story. Luke doesn't talk about her, and I don't bring it up." He pauses, then meets my gaze. "But I'll tell you this: they were young, maybe too young. When they first met, I thought... well, I

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33 Chlaques

thought they were perfect for each other. She was beautiful, smart, and kind. I could see how much she meant to him."

I nod, trying not to push, but the questions bubble up inside me. "So, what happened?"

Javier takes a deep breath. "She... left him, and not for a good reason. At least not one Lucas could accept."

"Okay?" I say.

"She was..." Javier trails off, struggling to find the right words. "Selfish, if I'm being honest. Left him when he needed her most, and I don't think he's ever quite forgiven her. Or himself, for that matter."

I sit there in silence, my heart aching for Luke. This story, this history-there's more to it than Javier's saying, but from the little I've heard, it explains so much. Luke's hesitance, the way he holds himself back, like he's afraid to let someone in too close. Afraid to risk that kind of heartbreak again. It kills me that he won't tell me anything. And right now, the only other person I can ask, Javier, is making me mad by withholding information.

"You're keeping me in suspense. Why did she leave? I have so many questions."

Javier looks at me, his eyes softening. "And they're going to remain unanswered until he wants you to know. You know, he doesn't let people in easily. It's been years, and he's still... careful. But with you..." He trails off, letting the words hang in the air.

I bite my lip, torn between gratitude and the strange, tender weight of Javier's words. Just then, Paula returns with a steaming plate, setting it down in front of me.

"Chilaquiles, just how Lucas likes them," she says, grinning at me with that same warm look in her eyes. Eat up, mija. You look like you could use a good meal."

I smile, managing a quick "Thank you," before she bustles off again, leaving me alone with Javier and my thoughts. As I pick up my fork, I glance over at him, catching his steady gaze.

"If you don't plan to stick around, Julie," he says, almost as if he's talking to himself. "Set him free. Let him go now. I've seen more light in his eyes in these last few days than I have in years. And I've sworn to myself that the next person who makes those eyes glow again and then dims them right back is getting a contract put on her head."

I can't help but smile, warmth spreading through me as I take a bite.

The food is rich and comforting, exactly what I didn't know I needed, but it's the words that linger. Because they're not just Javier's words-they're hopes, tiny, fragile hopes he's been holding for a man he- cares deeply about. And for once, I wish there was someone out there who cares this much about me. Someone who would threaten another with assassination if they broke my heart.

"Oh, yeah?" I say. "Do you have any of those killers' contacts you could lend me?"

"Who do you need to take out?"

"My old self, for starters."

He smirks. "I know a few people who owe me favors. Just say the word."

I snort. "Maybe it's time to finally bury her. The old me. She got me here, let herself get sucked into this

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Javier looks at me, something softening in his eyes, and he nods. "You're not that girl anymore, Julie," he says, "But sometimes the past has a way of following us, no matter how fast we run." He leans back, eyeing me. He hasn't asked it yet, but I know the question is coming.

"Tell me about your divorce," he says,

1 swallow, my fork hovering over my plate. "What?"

"Your life. Your drama. I want to hear about it."

The urge to deflect is strong, to just laugh it off with some quip, but there's something in his expression that roots me. I don't know why, but for the first time in a long time, I actually want to answer honestly.

"It's complicated," I begin. "I thought it would be easy, in a way... that once I'd made the decision to leave, it would feel like ripping off a Band-Aid." I shake my head, huffing out a small, bitter laugh. "But I guess nothing with Ryan O'Brien ever is." Javier raises an eyebrow. "Ryan O'Brien," he says, dragging out each syllable.

"Yeah, That Ryan O'Brien," 1 mutter.

Javier nods. "Let me guess. You're leaving him for... adultery, emotional abuse, something along those lines?"

"Yeah, that about covers it."

He nods again, and I can see he's weighing his words, choosing them carefully. "And you're willing to go up against him and his entire family," he says. "You think they're just going to sit back and let you make a public spectacle of them?"

"You think I should just keep quiet? Go down easy?" I scoff. "Make it sound like we 'fell out of love'? Pretend it was some kind of mutual split?"

He shrugs. "It's not a lie, is it? You and he fell apart... isn't that clean? Simple? What you're starting with him, Julie, it's not just divorce. It's war. And it's going to be a bloody one if you aren't careful."

"I'm ready, I'm not afraid of a fight."

His smile is thin, shadowed. "Are you really ready? Because you say that now, Julie, with all that fire in your voice. But once they start dragging your name, picking apart everything you've done, turning it all against you... it's not just you in this anymore." I squint at him, unsure if he's being supportive or trying to undermine my resolve. "What does that mean?"

"It means, whether you like it or not, Lucas is involved now," he says, watching my face, waiting for the reaction he knows will come.

"What does Lucas have to do with this?"

Right then, the doorbell rings. I jump, nearly dropping my fork.

Paula rushes out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. "I'll get it," she says.

Moments later, Paula reappears, her expression a little more serious. "It's one of the gate security," she

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CHAPTER 035: Chilaquiles

says, looking between Javier and me. "They say there's someone outside looking for a lady named Julie O'Brien."

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