The Billionaire's Open Marriage Contract

Not So Free Afterall

“Do you, Jude Ryder, take Scarlett Browne to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

The words sent a strange shiver down Scarlett's spine. Everything feels wrong. She already signed the contract agreeing to be his wife, she didn't see the need of lying in front of God and these fake ass people that they were inlove.

“Maybe,” he uttered, causing a roar of laughter from the audience.

Scarlett smiled, of course it's funny because Jude said it. If she had said that, maybe Melissa would have a heart attack. ‘That won't be bad afterall.’ she thought to herself.

Her eyes drifted past him. Collins Ryder stood among the guests, looking far more interested in the ceremony than Jude did.

Hell yeah, I do to Collins. Her gaze moved again and there he was. Torren Ryder. His expression was unreadable as he watched the ceremony from beneath the shade of the garden canopy.

‘I do to Torren Ryder’ She almost smiled at the thought. If only the priest could hear what was going through her mind.

“Scarlett?”

She blinked. The priest was looking at her.

Right, her turn.

“Do you take Jude Ryder to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Scarlett looked at Jude. His face was as emotionless as ever. Not even a hint of excitement. This man could probably just sit in a bar and talk to a stranger about the weather and look more enthusiastic than he looked at his own damn wedding.

“I do.”

The priest smiled.

“You may now kiss the bride.” Scarlett's stomach tightened. Jude turned toward her. For one brief second, their eyes met.

Then he leaned down and kissed her.

This was the first time since she met Jude that they've come this close. Scarlett pulled away with a smile plastered across her face as applause erupted around them.

The wedding had happened far sooner than Scarlett expected. Seven days after arriving in Monaco, she was standing in a wedding gown surrounded by people who barely knew her. Jude had decided there was no reason to waste time.

“We're getting married here,” he had told her three days earlier.

Melissa had complained about the short notice, mostly because she hadn't been able to invite half of Monaco's wealthy elite. But Jude had refused to change the date. His decision was final. Even Galaxy couldn't attend.

Scarlett had begged Jude to make provision for her friend at least since she was the only person from her side. “She's my best friend.”

“You'll see her when we return.”

“I want her here.”

“She’s not the priest officiating the wedding, so she won't be needed here.”

That had been the end of the conversation. Because with Jude Ryder, conversations didn't end when both people reached an agreement. They ended when Jude stopped listening.

So here Scarlett was. Mrs. Ryder. For the first time in her life, Scarlett was surrounded by everything she'd spent years dreaming about. And yet she couldn't shake the feeling that she had somehow walked into a beautiful cage.

The congratulations kept coming in from people she hadn't met in her life before and she kept flashing her fake smile until her cheeks hurt and Jude was nowhere to be found and Melissa was enjoying all the attention she was getting.

After twenty minutes of pretending to enjoy herself, Scarlett couldn't take it anymore. She needed to use the powder room, and maybe steal some time to call Galaxy. She slipped away from the crowd and headed toward the house.

She slipped out quietly without being noticed and headed upstairs towards her room. She was halfway through the hallway when she heard moaning sounds.

She stopped, trying to figure where exactly the sound was coming from and as she walked towards Jude's room, the sound got louder.

Scarlett slowly turned her head, the door was slightly open. She took one step closer and looked through the opening.

Her stomach dropped. Jude was on the bed with a woman.

She recognized the woman's velvet dress immediately..She had seen her downstairs earlier. The woman was facing away from the door, making it impossible to see her face.

Scarlett stared for a few seconds and then walked away forgetting the reason she came upstairs in the first place. She needed fresh air.

She was surprised at how much it hurt, especially since she hated Jude and the contract was clear. Jude was allowed to have other women. That was the entire point of their arrangement, but on their wedding day? That was outrightly disrespectful.

She needed air, so she rejoined the guests. The garden was quieter now. Most of the guests were gathered around the tables, drinking champagne and she's certain they're talking about anything but her.

She pulled a cigarette from her purse.

She hadn't smoked much lately and she couldn't care less what these self absorbed people would think of her. Tonight seemed like a good enough reason to start again.

She had barely lit it when a voice came from behind her.

“Congratulations?” He laughed.

Scarlett turned and it was Collins. She smiled despite herself. “I don't feel very congratulatory,” she joked.

He came to stand beside her. For a few seconds, they simply looked at the garden.

“You look miserable and that's very contradictory especially since it's your wedding.”

Scarlett smiled. There was something about him that made him easy to talk to. He wasn't constantly judging her, but she could tell he was looking at her like he wanted her.

“I have a secret I'd like to tell you and you have to promise me you won't say a word to anyone else.” Scarlett said.

He looked at her. “I swear on my life, your secret is safe with me.”

She glanced around dramatically, leaning closer she whispered into his ear. “I hate it here.”

Collins burst out laughing and she joined him. “I hate it here too, that makes the two of us.” He was looking at her, watching her smile made him feel so good. “You want to maybe go somewhere else?”

“Hell yeah,” her eyes drifted toward the wedding table. The enormous chocolate cake caught her attention. “But if there's one thing I want the most in the world, it's a slice of those tempting chocolate cakes.”

“Of course you can have the whole cake it you want, it's your wedding.”

“Yeah it is.” She shook her head.

“Gimme a minute, ahma go steal you a slice.” He laughed as he casually strolled towards the table.

Scarlett watched him cut two generous slices and return with them on paper plates, just then a young lady came to say hello and she was annoyingly touchy it made Scarlett fold her hands into a ball. Collins excused himself and walked towards her, the smile never leaving his face.

“Here you go ma'am,” he handed her the paper plates.

She smiled. “This might actually be the best part of my wedding.”

“I'm honored.”

She took a bite. Her eyes widened. “Oh my God.”

“Good?”

“This is the best chocolate cake I've had in my life.” She took another bite, stuffing her mouth with cake.

“So,” Collins said, “where do you want to go?”

“Anywhere.”

“Good, I have an idea.” He took her free hand and led her out of the garden, towards the garage. Collins glanced at her as she followed him.

There was something about Scarlett he couldn't quite explain. He wanted her so badly it made his heart break. He had to remind himself she was now his brother's wife.

He waited for her to finish her cake and he opened the passenger door of his car for her.

Scarlett felt her phone vibrate as she sat down. She figured it was a message from Galaxy, but when she opened it, her blood ran cold.

HEY SCARLY, I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!

Scarlett’s smile disappeared as she raised her head slowly, her fingers tightened around his phone. She knew immediately who this message was from. She wasn't so free after all.