While My Husband Cheated, I Married His Powerful Brother

Veyra stood in front of the floor to ceiling window as she had stopped walking for a bit to think.

The city sprawled below her. Lights flickered in the distance. Cars crawled along the streets like glowing insects. The sky was dark, but the city was alive.

Her reflection stared back at her. Pale. Tired. Uncertain.

She was still weighing the decision. Vice leader of the Ravenwood Syndicate. Power. Protection. Danger.

She thought about Wesley’s offer. The resources. The influence. The ability to protect herself and everyone she cared about.

She thought about the cost. The moral compromises. The danger of being tied to a criminal organization.

She pressed her palm against the glass. It was cool and then her phone buzzed.

She pulled it out. The screen glowed.

Xavier Lala.

She answered. Her voice was tired. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Thorne." Xavier’s voice was warm. "I hope I’m not interrupting."

"You’re not. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

She hesitated. "About an offer I received tonight."

Xavier was silent for a moment. Then he said, "I won’t ask what it was. But I have an offer of my own."

Veyra’s brow furrowed. "What kind of offer?"

"I’ve sent you a cooperation agreement. For Solstice Pharmaceuticals."

She blinked. "You what?"

"Check your email."

She pulled the phone away from her ear. She opened her email. There it was. A document. Long. Detailed. From Xavier Lala.

She opened it.

Her breath caught.

Fifty percent. He was offering her fifty percent of the shares.

"Xavier," she said. "This is too much."

"It’s not."

"It’s half your company."

"I know."

"You’ll be at a disadvantage. You’ll lose control."

Xavier’s voice was calm. "I’m betting on the future. Your formula. Your vision. Your drive. I believe in what we can build together."

Veyra’s throat tightened.

"Fifty percent is a lot," she said.

"I know. But you’re worth it."

She stared at the screen. The numbers blurred.

"Why?" she asked. "Why would you do this?"

"Because I’ve seen what you can do. I’ve seen how you handle pressure. How you think on your feet. How you refuse to back down." He paused. "I want you as a partner. Not just as a shareholder. As someone who is fully invested in the success of this company."

Veyra was silent.

"Think about it," Xavier said. "But don’t think too long. I’d like to get started as soon as possible."

He hung up.

Veyra stared at the phone.

Fifty percent.

She thought about Xavier’s face. The round glasses. The calm expression. The steady eyes.

He trusted her. He believed in her. He was willing to bet half his company on her.

She pressed her palm against the glass again. The coolness seeped into her skin.

She thought about Wesley’s offer. The power. The protection. The danger.

She thought about Xavier’s offer. The partnership. The trust. The future.

She already knew her answer and also an answer to Wesley’s offer too.

She continued her walk back toward the private dining room.

*

The hallway was quiet.

Veyra was halfway back to the private dining room when she heard footsteps behind her.

She turned.

Caspian and Xiomara were walking toward her. Caspian’s face was pale and Xiomara’s was red.

Veyra stopped.

"Veyra," Caspian said. "We need to talk."

"I’m busy."

"Xiomara needs you to apologize."

Veyra stared at him. "I told you. I’m not apologizing."

Xiomara stepped forward. Her voice was sharp. "You hit me. Twice. You grabbed my throat. You could have killed me."

"You insulted my husband."

"I said he was a bodyguard. Which he is."

"You called him a watchdog. A glorified servant. You said he followed Wesley around like a dog."

Xiomara’s face went red. "That’s not what I said."

"It’s exactly what you said."

Caspian stepped between them. "Veyra. Please. Just say you’re sorry. We can all move on."

"I have nothing to be sorry for."

Xiomara’s voice rose. "You’re impossible."

"I’m not the one who started this." Veyra’s voice was ice. "You came into the restroom. You insulted my husband. You got what you deserved."

Xiomara opened her mouth. Caspian put his hand on her arm.

"Let’s go," he said.

"No."

"Xiomara—"

"I’m not leaving until she apologizes."

Veyra crossed her arms. "Then you’ll be waiting for a very long time."

Xiomara’s face twisted. Her composure cracked.

"If you don’t apologize," she said, "don’t blame me for being impolite."

Veyra’s voice was flat. "I won’t let myself be bullied anymore. Not by you. Not by anyone."

She turned away. She started walking.

Xiomara’s voice followed her. "I’ll make you pay for this. I’ll make you regret ever crossing me."

Veyra did not look back.

Xiomara’s hands were shaking.

She watched Veyra disappear around the corner. Her face was flushed. Her breathing was loud.

Caspian stood beside her. "She’s not worth it."

Xiomara ignored him. She was already walking. Fast. Her heels clicked against the marble.

"Where are you going?"

"To find Professor Sterling."

Caspian caught up to her. "What are you going to do?"

Xiomara’s voice was cold. "I’m going to make her pay."

Professor Sterling was in the main dining room.

He was sitting at a corner table, sipping tea and reading a newspaper. He looked up when Xiomara approached.

His eyes widened. "Xiomara? What happened to your face?"

Xiomara’s hand flew to her cheek. The red marks had faded, but they were still visible.

She choked back a sob. "It’s Veyra. She attacked me."

Professor Sterling set down his paper. "What?"

"Veyra. Wesley’s bodyguard’s wife. She slapped me twice. She grabbed my throat. I could barely breathe."

Professor Sterling’s face hardened.

"She insulted me," Xiomara continued. "She called me a liar. She said I was nothing. And then she hit me."

Caspian stood behind Xiomara. His face was pale. He did not correct her.

Professor Sterling stood up. His voice was cold.

"She attacked you. In my presence. In this restaurant."

"Yes."

Professor Sterling’s fists clenched. His voice was quiet. Dangerous.

"I will seek an explanation from Wesley Wynn."

And that made Xiomara smiled.