My Husband’s Rival Wants Me

Chapter 3

Sienna

I sat beside Callum at the gala, our thighs brushing beneath the table, but we might as well have been miles apart. He barely paid me any attention. To my left was Stefan Grey, Callum’s biggest corporate rival.

He had been on the opposite side of one of Callum's biggest deals.

A speaker was addressing the room, talking about the latest developments in the industry, but Stefan wasn’t listening. His attention was fixed entirely on me.

“I must say, Callum,” Stefan said, leaning back in his chair as his fingers slowly traced the rim of his wine glass. “You’ve managed to get yourself the most breathtaking woman. You clearly made a good choice, though I wonder if you actually appreciate the asset you have.”

Callum continued cutting his steak. “Sienna is a Caldwell. Her value speaks for itself. I don’t need to flaunt it.”

“Value?” Stefan gave a quiet laugh. He held my gaze, his eyes dropping briefly to my lips. “You make her sound like something you own, Westbrook. Tell me, Sienna, does your husband always talk about you like…?”

“Like what?” Callum cut in coldly.

Stefan gave a small smile. “You could’ve let me finish.”

I held Stefan’s gaze. “Callum expresses himself in his own way, Mr. Grey. I know my worth.”

“If you were my wife, you wouldn’t be sitting there looking starved for attention. I’d make sure everyone knew you were mine.”

Callum’s fork scraped against his plate as he set his cutlery down, clearly having had enough of Stefan.

“Stefan,” Callum said, his voice flat. “You’re crossing a line.”

“Am I?” Stefan smirked. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. Your wife is beautiful. It’s a shame you’re barely paying attention to her.”

Callum's eyes hardened, but he didn’t want to cause a scene. He simply wrapped his hand over mine on top of the table, a possessive gesture meant entirely for Stefan’s eyes.

“We’re leaving,” Callum said quietly, pushing his chair back.

Stefan’s eyes drifted down to where Callum's hand was gripping mine. “Have a good night, Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook. Try not to talk about profit margins in bed.”

***

The silence on our drive home was suffocating.

Callum immediately let go of my hand, pulling off his jacket and tossing it onto the opposite seat. He didn’t look angry, just detached as he began unbuttoning the top buttons of his shirt.

“Stefan was entirely out of line tonight,” I said, breaking the silence. “He was staring at me the entire evening, right in front of you. And you just sat there.”

“Stefan plays mind games, Sienna. It’s what he does.” Callum pulled out his phone, scrolling through his notifications. “He flirts with you because he wants a reaction out of me. He wants to see if our marriage has a weak spot.”

“And does it?” I asked, turning to face him directly. “Because from where I'm standing, we look like complete strangers. It’s our first week of marriage and you won’t even look at me unless a camera is flashing. Is that what I am to you? A trophy?”

Callum looked at me for a moment, his gray eyes calm despite my anger.

“We discussed this before the wedding, Sienna. We both knew exactly what this arrangement was.”

“An arrangement doesn’t mean you let another man disrespect your wife at a public table and just sit there,” I snapped, my voice rising as months of hidden frustration began to spill out.

“He didn’t disrespect you, he baited me,” Callum said calmly. “And I refuse to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. If you’re feeling lonely or suffocated by how I handle things, you’re entirely free to find your entertainment elsewhere.”

I froze, the air leaving my lungs.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means I’m practical,” Callum said, delivering the blow plainly. “I have an empire to run, Sienna. I don’t do jealousy, and I don’t expect fidelity behind closed doors in a business marriage. You’re free to go out and have fun. Find someone to pass the time with. I won't ask questions. Just keep it out of the press.”

I shook my head, the hurt in my chest twisting into anger. “An open marriage. Wow. You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”

“I’m just giving you options so you don’t feel trapped,” he murmured, his eyes drifting back to his phone as the Rolls-Royce finally passed through the massive gates of our estate.

“Option? I let out a sharp, mocking laugh. I leaned closer, forcing him to put his phone down and meet my eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself, Callum. You’re not being generous. You’re just a coward because the thought of actually putting effort into a relationship terrifies you.”

“Think whatever you want. But like I said, I don’t care what you do with your time, as long as it doesn’t get to the press.”

“Press, press, press. That’s all you care about.”

“It’s what keeps this marriage from becoming a problem for either of us.”

“Remember this moment, Callum,” I said. “When I decide to take your advice and find my entertainment elsewhere, don’t you dare come looking for me.”

The car came to a stop in front of the main house. The driver stepped out and opened the door.

I grabbed my clutch and stepped out without waiting for Callum.

As my heels clicked against the marble floor, his words replayed in my head. He told me to go have fun. He told me he wouldn’t mind.

And now he was about to see just how well I could play his game.