Three Alpha Bikers Wants An Open Marriage

Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Riley’s POV

"What?" Ethan’s voice rises sharply, cutting straight through the heavy air in the boardroom. "What do you mean *let’s move to signing*, Riley?"

He pushes back from his chair so hard it scrapes loudly against the floor. He lifts his palm like he wants to slam it down on the table and make everyone listen. But he doesn’t. He stops himself at the last second.

I notice it.

His eyes flick briefly to the three men sitting across the table. Cane. Gunnar. Caden. They haven’t moved. They haven’t said a word. But they are watching him closely, and Ethan knows it. He knows better than to explode in front of them.

I don’t respond to his outburst.

I calmly gather my tablet, my phone, and the folder in front of me. My movements are slow and deliberate.

I don’t rush. I don’t look at him him either.

"If there’s nothing else," I say evenly, my voice steady despite the tension coiling in my chest, "then this meeting is concluded. It’s been nice doing business with you."

I give a brief nod toward the men.

Cane’s lips curve into a knowing smile, like he finds the entire situation entertaining. Gunnar inclines his head slightly respectful and unreadable. Caden’s gaze lingers on Ethan for a moment longer than necessary, his expression cool, almost detached.

None of them stop me.

I turn on my heel and walk out of the boardroom.

The hallway outside feels quieter. My heels click against the polished floor as I move toward my own office, each step measured and firm. Employees look up as I pass. Some straighten immediately. Some lower their eyes. No one speaks.

I reach my office door, unlock it, and step inside and shut the door behind me with a decisive click.

Only then do I release the breath I’ve been holding.

It’s long and shaky, like my lungs have been locked tight for too long. I press my back briefly against the door, closing my eyes for a second as I steady myself.

Get it together, Riley.

I move toward my desk, setting my things down neatly. The office is quiet, just the faint hum of the air conditioner and the distant sounds of the building outside. I walk to the window and place my hands on the glass, staring down at the city below.

Cars move. People walk. Life continues.

It doesn’t care that my marriage is cracking or that my husband just tried to undermine me in my own company.

I turn back to my desk and sit, pulling out a thick stack of documents I was supposed to review earlier. I need to work. I need to focus.

I don’t even get two minutes to do that and the door to my office suddenly slams open with force.

I flinch despite myself.

Ethan storms in, his face red, his jaw clenched tight with rage.

"What was the meaning of that?" he demands. "How could you do that to me, Riley?"

I don’t look up, I ignore him. I flip open the file in front of me and scan the first page.

"You just sat there," he continues, pacing the room now, "and made a decision that affects me without even discussing it. You embarrassed me."

I pick up a pen and make a note in the margin.

"You think because you run the company you can just cut me out?" His voice grows louder with each word. "You think being CEO gives you the right to treat me like I don’t matter?"

I say nothing because what was the use? He was the one that invited them, not me. Probably to get some more higher shares. Interesting how things took turns. Somehow, I feel very excited with how things played out.

My silence only fuels him.

He strides toward my desk, grabs the documents I was holding right out of my hands and before I can react, he tears them in half.

Once.

Twice.

Then again.

Paper scatters across the floor like trash.

I gasp and push back my chair, standing up so fast it scrapes against the floor.

"Are you insane?" I snap, my voice furious. "Do you have any idea what you just did?"

He’s breathing hard now, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his eyes burning with anger.

"That document," I say, pointing at the shredded papers on the floor, "was a major share reconstruction agreement from one of our affiliates. A very sensitive one. Do you know how long it took to negotiate that?"

For a brief moment, his expression falters. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Then his anger surges again.

"You think because you poured your sweat into this place you can do whatever you want?" he shouts. "I own this company, Riley. Do you hear me? I owned it before I married you, you bastard bitch—"

SLAP! The sound of my hand hitting his face is loud and sharp.

The slap lands hard.

Ethan stumbles back a step, stunned, his head snapping to the side.

"Don’t you ever," I say, my voice trembling with fury, "don’t you ever call me a bastard."

He stares at me like he can’t believe what just happened.

"Don’t even try it," I continue, stepping closer, my hands clenched into fists. "You have absolutely no idea how much this ’bastard’ invested into this company. No idea what I sacrificed for it."

His mouth opens, but I don’t let him speak.

"What have your own living parents done for you all these years, huh?" I demand. "Shouldn’t I be the one calling you that?"

His face tightens visibly.

"At least my parents are dead," I go on, my voice rising despite myself, "instead of being alive and choosing your younger brother over you. Why is that, Ethan? Because you don’t think. Because you act without planning. Because you let your ego make decisions for you instead of common sense"

The room feels unbearably quiet now.

"You took your shares from your father and ran," I continue. "You built a company that was barely standing, I made it fucking stand! and you walked into it like you own it today is because of this bastard Riley Grayson. And now look at where we are."

My chest heaves as the words spill out, raw and unfiltered.

Right now, I feel unsteady. Angry. Too close to losing control.

"This will be the first and last time you ever insult me like that," I say coldly. "Do you hear me?"

I grab my purse from the chair because If I stay here any longer, I might actually do something stupid.

I turn and walk out before he can respond.

I don’t slow down in the hallway. I don’t look back. I press the elevator button repeatedly until the doors open. The ride down feels endless. When the doors finally slide apart, I walk straight to the parking lot.

I get into my car and slam the door shut.

My hands are shaking as I start the engine.

I pull out of the lot and drive out.

I don’t have a destination. I just need to get away. My thoughts are loud and chaotic, replaying everything over and over again. His words. My slap. The look on his face.

I take a turn without thinking

An Then—**BAM.**

The impact is sudden and violent. My body jerks forward as the car comes to a screeching halt.

My heart pounds wildly in my chest.

"Oh my God," I whisper, my breath coming fast.

I throw the car door open and rush out, panic flooding my veins.

Someone is on the ground.

"What the hell?" I breathe, running toward them, fear tightening my chest as reality crashes down on me.