Open Marriage, Broken Promises: When Love Turns to Ashes novel Chapter 1

Evening.

The doorbell rang, but Emily didn't rush to answer it.

A moment later, the sound of a fingerprint unlocking the door echoed through the house.

James's low, hoarse voice followed: "I told you, she's asleep."

As he spoke, a faint gasp escaped from the room: "James, be gentle..."

Then the noises grew louder.

Emily got up, the cold tiles under her feet nothing compared to the chill in her heart.

She flipped on the light without a word, revealing two figures tangled together in the entryway.

The sudden brightness startled the illicit couple.

James leaned lazily against the wall, his shirt open, sweat glistening on his toned abs.

He raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"Emily, you're awake."

Emily ignored him, her gaze fixed on the woman beside him.

Lily Green licked her smudged lipstick, her bright eyes sparkling with amusement. 

"Sis, James thought I was you again."

Her voice was sweet, dripping with a charm that could soften anyone's bones.

If she were a man, even Emily might have fallen for that natural allure.

Emily laughed. 

"You two really love playing dress-up, huh?"

Hearing her sarcastic tone, James, still slightly drunk, wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Don't be mad, okay?"

He leaned in, his lips stained with another woman's lipstick, and whispered into her ear.

"You know it's all just fun with them. I only love you."

Love?

No one in Chicago would doubt James's words.

His love was obsessive, rare even in a city like this. 

He'd been so eager to marry her that he'd stolen his family's documents to elope.

His friends all said Emily was a force to be reckoned with, the one who'd tamed James and made him loyal.

Emily had believed them, throwing herself into this love like a moth to a flame.

"Emily."