Chapter 4My Husband Begged Me to Cheat on Him

When I opened the front door, Alaric and Bethany were flirting on the living room sofa. The housekeeper, who had pushed me inside, looked a bit awkward.

"Sir, Madam is back."

Alaric glanced over, a nonchalant flick of his eyes, then froze. "What happened to your leg?"

My voice was calm. "My heels broke, and I got cut by glass."

Bethany whined, "Oh, Willow, I’m not saying anything, but you're a grown woman. Pulling a vanishing act like that, you had the boss worried sick all night, he didn't even get any sleep." She cast a syrupy glance at Alaric, her words loaded with innuendo.

Alaric said nothing, giving her a slightly warning glance, yet not without a hint of indulgence. Bethany playfully stuck out her tongue.

I smiled. "That's why, you know, these heels are such poor quality. They made me fall, and my phone broke too. Clearly, I need to invest in better brands. So, would you mind getting me the latest Spring/Summer limited editions from those big labels? Money’s no object, my husband has plenty."

Bethany's face immediately fell. She tugged at Alaric's sleeve. But he was looking at me, lost in thought.

"It's my birthday. You won't even help with such a small favor?"

Alaric suddenly laughed. "Alright, let her buy them for you." He patted Bethany. "You can go home for now. I'm spending my wife's birthday with her."

Bethany, defeated, glared at me with no real menace before reluctantly leaving.

"What do you want for your birthday?"

I looked at him. "That talk about an open marriage… does it still stand?"

Alaric froze, seeing me pull out my new phone and point it at him. "Say it again for the camera. Just in case you change your mind, for proof."

Alaric seemed to remember something, and instead of getting angry, he laughed. "You can go find your own fun too, happy now?"

"What if you regret it?"

"Regret?" He scoffed with disdain. "If I regret it, I'm a dog."

I was satisfied. I leisurely instructed the housekeeper to prepare the first-floor room for me.

Alaric's gaze lingered on my phone. "New brand?"

I nodded. "Used the old one for too many years, got tired of it. Trying a new brand."

Honestly, it had been a long time since we'd spoken so calmly. But I'm not sure what it was, he sneered, then got up and left.