While My Husband Cheated, I Married His Powerful Brother

Wesley Wynn sat at the table, his wine glass in his hand, his eyes on the door. He had been waiting for Veyra to return. She had been gone for a long time.

Dorian sat across from him. His face was calm. His hands were folded on the table.

"She’s been gone a while," Wesley said.

"She’s fine."

"You don’t know that."

"I know she can handle herself."

Wesley set down his glass. He leaned back in his chair. His eyes were on Dorian.

"You’re very calm for a man whose wife is alone in a restaurant full of strangers."

"She’s not alone. She’s with herself."

Wesley laughed. "That’s a very philosophical answer."

"Lol, you do know that I’m a philosophical person."

"No, you’re not." Wesley smiled. "You’re the least philosophical person I know."

Dorian said nothing.

Wesley picked up his glass again. He swirled the wine. The dark liquid caught the light.

"Let’s talk about something else," he said. "Something you might find interesting."

Dorian waited.

"Councilor Whitmore," Wesley said. "He’s been making moves."

Dorian’s expression did not change. "I’m not surprised."

"After you rejected his marriage alliance proposal, he needed a new source of support. Financial backing. Political influence." Wesley paused. "He found it."

"The Zed family."

"The Zed family." Wesley nodded. "They’ve agreed to back his presidential campaign."

Dorian’s jaw tightened. Just a fraction.

"They were the obvious choice," he said. "He needs one of the three major families. After I refused, he had no other option."

Wesley tilted his head. "You anticipated this."

"I anticipated the possibility."

Wesley smiled. "You always do."

Dorian said nothing.

Wesley set down his glass. His eyes were sharp.

"If the Zed family backs Whitmore, the presidential election becomes a contest between two major families."

Dorian’s eyes narrowed. "The Pierces?"

"The Pierces. They’ll back the opposing candidate. They have to." Wesley paused. "It’s going to be a very interesting race."

Dorian was silent for a moment.

"Interesting," he repeated. "That’s one word for it."

"Would you prefer ’dangerous’?"

"I would prefer ’avoidable.’"

Wesley laughed. "You don’t believe that."

"I believe in avoiding unnecessary conflict."

"Then you should have married Naya Whitmore."

Dorian’s eyes were cold. "That was never an option."

"No. It wasn’t." Wesley’s smile faded. "But it was an opportunity. A chance to control the story. A chance to keep the Zed family from gaining too much influence."

Dorian said nothing.

Wesley leaned forward. His voice was lower now.

"The Zed family has been growing too powerful. They already control half the commerce in Etran City. If they also control the presidency..."

"They won’t."

Wesley tilted his head. "How can you be sure?"

Dorian’s eyes were steady. "Because I won’t let them."

Wesley was quiet for a moment.

Then he smiled.

"That’s why I like you," he said. "You’re predictable."

"I’m not predictable."

"You are. In the best way." Wesley picked up his glass. "You always do what you say you’re going to do."

Dorian said nothing.

Wesley took a sip. He set the glass down.

"Now," he said. "Let’s talk about something more personal."

"I’d rather not."

"Too bad." Wesley leaned forward. "Your wife. She’s been gone for a long time. Do you think she’ll accept my offer?"

Dorian’s expression did not change. "I don’t know."

"You don’t know?"

"No."

Wesley studied his face. "You’re not curious?"

"I’m patient."

Wesley laughed again. "You’re impossible."

"I’ve been told."

The door opened and Veyra walked in.

Her face was calm. Her steps were steady. She looked like she had just been for a walk.

Wesley’s eyes moved to her. He had been waiting for a long time. He had expected her to look conflicted. Uncertain. Relieved.

She looked none of those things.

He felt a pang of melancholy. The longer she had been gone, the more he had suspected she would say no.

He forced himself to smile.

"Mrs. Thorne," he said. "Welcome back."

Veyra walked to the table. She sat down. She folded her hands on the white cloth.

"Thank you," she said. "I’m sorry I was gone so long."

"It’s fine." Wesley gestured to the menu. "I was about to call the waiter. Let’s order."

Veyra shook her head. "Before we eat, I’d like to discuss something."

Wesley’s smile flickered. "Of course."

She looked at him. Her voice was steady.

"Thank you for the offer. The vice leader position. It’s incredibly generous. And I’m honored that you thought of me."

Wesley did not speak.

Veyra paused. Her eyes were clear.

"Wesley—"

She stopped. She was about to say more. But the words caught in her throat.

She took a breath.

She was preparing to tell him her decision. But he could already feel it. The shape of it. The weight of it.

He knew.

He knew she was going to say no.