While My Husband Cheated, I Married His Powerful Brother

The room was frozen.

Xiomara’s finger was still pointing at Dorian. Her face was triumphant. She had just named him as the bodyguard.

Wesley’s eyebrows rose. His eyes moved to Dorian. Then back to Xiomara.

"You’re sure?" Wesley asked. "You’re sure he’s the bodyguard?"

Xiomara nodded. "Yes. I’ve seen him before. He follows Mr. Wynn everywhere."

Wesley’s mouth twitched as he was suppressing a smile.

"Xiomara," he said slowly. "That’s not my bodyguard."

Xiomara blinked. "What?"

"That’s Dorian Thorne. The CEO of Zeus Group."

Xiomara’s face went pale.

"He’s not a bodyguard," Wesley continued. "He’s one of the most powerful men in Etran City."

Xiomara’s hand dropped to her side. Her mouth opened, closed and opened again.

She looked at Dorian. Her eyes were wide. Disbelieving.

"That’s not possible," she said.

"Very possible." Wesley smiled. "He’s also my friend."

Xiomara’s face was white. Her hands were shaking.

Wesley pointed to Dorian. "That’s the man you called a watchdog."

Xiomara said nothing.

Wesley turned to Xiomara. "And who hit you?"

Xiomara’s eyes darted to Veyra. She pointed.

"She did." Xiomara’s voice was high. "Veyra. She slapped me. Twice and she alao grabbed my throat."

Wesley looked at Veyra. "Is that true?"

Veyra nodded. "Yes."

She did not look away.

Wesley’s expression was unreadable. "Why?"

Xiomara answered before Veyra could. "She’s jealous. She’s always been jealous. She can’t stand seeing me with Caspian."

Veyra laughed. It was a short, dry sound.

"Jealous?" she repeated. "You think I’m jealous of you?"

"I know you are."

Veyra shook her head. "You have no idea what you’re talking about."

Veyra turned to Xiomara. Her voice was steady. Calm.

"I hit you because you insulted my husband. You called him a bodyguard. A watchdog. A glorified servant." She paused. "You got what you deserved."

Xiomara’s face was red. "You had no right."

"I had every right."

Wesley raised his hand. "Enough."

The room went quiet.

Wesley looked at Xiomara. "You insulted Mrs. Thorne’s husband?"

"I didn’t—"

"You called him a bodyguard?"

"I didn’t know who he was."

"That doesn’t matter." Wesley’s voice was cold. "You insulted a man in my presence. You insulted his wife. And then you came to me demanding an apology."

Xiomara’s face was pale.

Wesley turned to Veyra. "I’m sorry you had to endure that. It won’t happen again."

Veyra reached for Dorian’s hand. Her fingers intertwined with his.

She looked at him. Her voice was soft. Affectionate.

"Husband," she said. "Would you mind looking up so everyone can see you?"

Dorian’s body stiffened. Just a fraction. His heart raced. He was not used to being called that. Not in public. Not like this.

But he looked up.

His face was calm. Controlled. His gray eyes swept over the room.

Xiomara stared at him. Her mouth was still open.

"That’s him," she said. Her voice was loud. "That’s the bodyguard."

Wesley sighed. "Xiomara. He’s not a bodyguard."

"I don’t care what he is." Xiomara’s voice rose. "He’s her husband. And she hit me."

Wesley turned to Veyra and aka again so that everyone will hear what Veyra has to say once again. "Mrs. Thorne. Did you hit Xiomara?"

Veyra’s voice was flat. "Yes."

"Why?"

"She insulted my husband."

"She called him a bodyguard."

"That’s not an insult to him. It’s an insult to me. She said I married beneath myself. She said I was nothing."

Wesley nodded slowly.

He turned back to Xiomara. "You’re going to apologize. And then you’re going to leave."

Xiomara’s face was white. "I’m not apologizing."

"Then leave."

Xiomara looked at Caspian. He was pale. Silent. He did not defend her.

She turned to Professor Sterling. Her eyes were wet.

"Professor," she said. "She hit me. She grabbed my throat and she humiliated me."

Professor Sterling stepped forward. His face was red.

"Wesley," he said. "I demand an explanation. Your guest attacked my student. In your restaurant. In front of witnesses."

Wesley’s voice was ice. "She insulted a man’s wife."

"That’s no excuse for—"

"It’s every excuse."

Professor Sterling’s mouth opened like how Xiomara mouth was opened before and then closed in shock.

Wesley raised his hand. The room went quiet.

Veyra’s voice was calm. "You came here looking for an explanation, Professor. You brought her here to demand an apology."

Professor Sterling’s face was red. "She attacked my student."

"She attacked my husband."

Veyra looked at Xiomara. Her eyes were cold.

"You’re pathetic," she said. "Bringing your professor here to fight your battles. Hiding behind his reputation. You can’t even stand up for yourself."

Xiomara’s face went red. "How dare you—"

"How dare I?" Veyra laughed. "You insulted my husband. You called him a bodyguard. A watchdog. You made it sound like I married beneath myself."

Xiomara opened her mouth to respond.

Veyra cut her off. "You’re a coward. And you’re not worth my time."

Xiomara’s face was flushed with fury.

She turned to Professor Sterling. Her voice was loud. Pitiful.

"Professor, do you see what I have to deal with? She’s been like this since I met her. She’s always hated me. She can’t stand that Caspian chose me over her."

Veyra’s eyebrows rose.

Xiomara continued. "She’s been threatening me. Bullying me. And now she’s physically assaulting me." She pointed at Veyra. "She attacked me because she’s jealous. Because Caspian left her. Because she can’t accept it."

Professor Sterling’s face darkened. His voice was cold.

"Madam," he said. "You will apologize to my student. Immediately."

Veyra looked at him. "I won’t."

"Excuse me?"

"I said I won’t."

Professor Sterling’s expression turned ugly. "You have no respect for authority."

"I have respect for people who earn it."

Xiomara stepped forward. Her voice was shaking. "You need to apologize to Professor Sterling. Right now."

Veyra looked at her. "Or what?"

Xiomara’s eyes were hard. "Or I won’t let this matter rest."

Veyra smiled. It was a cold smile. "Are you threatening me?"

"I’m warning you." Xiomara’s voice rose. "You hit me. You humiliated me. And you will apologize to Professor Sterling. Even if it offends Mr. Wynn."

The room went silent.

Xiomara crossed her arms. Her chin was lifted.

"I will not let this go," she said. "Not until she apologizes."