My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan) novel Chapter 26

CHAPTER 026: A Queen WithouRA Castle 

that restriction.” 

“Well,” she says, “it looks like the restriction was placed by the primary account holder.” 

“The what?” 

“The primary account holder.” 

I pause, feeling the words sink in. “There must be some mistake. It’s a joint account. There can’t be a primary account holder.” 

“Yes,” she agrees. “It is a joint account, but in some cases, joint accounts are set up with a primary and secondary holder for security reasons.” 

“And which am I? Primary or secondary?” 

“You’re listed as the secondary holder, Mrs. O’Brien,” she says. 

Secondary. The word digs under my skin, sharp and twisting. “And who, exactly, is the primary account 

holder?” 

“That would be… Mr. Ryan O’Brien,” she says, hesitating just long enough for my stomach to sink. 

Of course, Ryan. It can only be Ryan. Who else derives great joy in tearing my world apart? He had the gall to block me from my own money? “So, let me get this straight,” I say, clenching my jaw so hard I’m surprised my teeth don’t shatter. “I can’t access my own account because he decided I shouldn’t?” 

She clears her throat. “In this type of joint account, yes, any major restriction can only be lifted by the primary account holder.” 

“Why wasn’t I informed about this ridiculous setup?” I ask, my voice rising despite myself. I can feel the eyes of the receptionist and the concierge drifting in my direction, but I can’t bring myself to care. “I put all my savings in that account. Every last cent.” My voice trembles, and I’m sure she can hear it through 

the line. 

“I’m very sorry, Mrs. O’Brien,” she says, sounding appropriately apologetic, though I can tell it’s the kind of sympathy she’s likely learned to fake. “But to regain access, you’ll need to speak with Mr. O’Brien directly.” 

I let out a humorless laugh. “The fucking bastard.” 

“Excuse me?” she says. 

I brush it off, shaking my head even though she can’t see it. “Nothing, Sara. Thanks for your help.” I end the call before she can say another word. 

I slide my phone back into my bag, my fingers trembling. I glance back at the receptionist, who’s waiting with a tentative smile, and I manage a brittle smile of my own. “It seems,“I say, “I won’t be needing that 

room after all.” 

She hesitates, offering a sympathetic nod, “I’m sorry, ma’am. If there’s anything else we can help you with 

“I doubt it,” I say, turning on my heel and heading for the door. The hotel’s grandeur seems to mock me as I walk away, the glass chandeliers and polished floors all reminding me of the lifestyle Ryan’s stripped away from me. And now, with my account locked and my options dwindling, it’s like he’s reaching out from wherever he is, still pulling the strings on my life, still making sure I have nothing left. Nothing, 

2/3 

except the bitter taste in my mouth and a smoldering anger the fed the could bum the whole cry down. 

When I step outside, the cold air hits me. I’m alone in ew You without a single Solarcanaces an because several years ago, I fell in love with the wronginan, an atopite piece of str 

For a moment, I just stand there, staring at the street with its fiskering fights and blaring tads the c buzzing around me with no idea I’ve just hit rock botto 

My hands are shaking, but not from the cold 

“He can’t get away with this,” I whisper to myself. That was my money, my life savings my future was there for every long hour, every sacrifice, every drop of sweat, and the swoods and books me or of the one thing I have left. It’s a new level of cruelty, even forfine 

I pull out my phone, pressing the screen so hard I almost cock it, my thun trovating his name in my contacts. Lord, help me, I’m ready to rain down hell on Ryan O’Bien