While My Husband Cheated, I Married His Powerful Brother

Caspian stood with his back against the wall. His mind was still replaying the scene in the restroom. Veyra’s face. The way she had looked at him. The way she had laughed when he said she still loved him.

He was still immersed in the thought. The idea that she might still care. That she might be jealous.

Xiomara was still standing in front of him. Her arms were crossed. Her eyes were sharp.

"Caspian," she said. "Are you even listening to me?"

He blinked. "What?"

"I asked you a question. What were you doing in there?"

Caspian shook his head. "I was handling the situation."

"Handling it? You gave her a warning and walked away. That’s not handling it. That’s letting her get away with it."

Caspian’s jaw tightened. "She’s not going to apologize."

"I don’t care. She needs to apologize."

"Xiomara—"

"She hit me. Twice. She grabbed my throat. She could have killed me."

Caspian’s voice was flat. "You’re fine."

"I’m not fine." Xiomara’s voice rose. "I’m humiliated. In front of everyone. And you did nothing."

Caspian pushed off from the wall. His patience was thinning.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I want her to apologize."

"She won’t."

"Then make her."

Caspian stared at her. "You can’t make Veyra do anything. She’s stubborn. She’s proud. If you push her, she’ll push back harder."

Xiomara’s eyes narrowed. "You’re defending her."

"I’m explaining her."

"Same thing."

"It’s not the same."

Xiomara stepped closer. Her voice was low. "Do you still love her?"

Caspian’s jaw tightened. "No."

"Then why are you protecting her?"

"I’m not protecting her. I’m being realistic."

Xiomara laughed. A short, bitter sound. "Realistic. That’s what you call it."

Caspian ran a hand through his hair. He was tired. He wanted to leave. He wanted to forget this conversation.

"Can we drop this?" he asked. "Our teacher is waiting. We should go."

Xiomara did not move.

"Xiomara."

"I’m not going anywhere."

Caspian’s voice was tight. "What do you want from me?"

Xiomara’s eyes were cold. "I want you to choose."

"Choose what?"

"Me or her."

Caspian stared at her. "That’s ridiculous."

"Is it?" Xiomara’s voice was steady. "You defended her. You made excuses for her. You looked at her like she was still yours."

Caspian said nothing.

Xiomara stepped back. Her arms crossed.

"Here’s your choice," she said. "Either you make Veyra apologize to me. Or we’re done."

Caspian’s face went pale. "You’re serious?"

"I’m serious."

"You’re breaking up with me over this?"

"I’m breaking up with you because you can’t let her go."

Caspian’s voice rose. "That’s not true."

"Then prove it. Make her apologize."

Caspian shook his head. "You don’t understand. She won’t do it."

"Then you don’t love me enough to try."

The words hung in the air.

Caspian stared at her. His hands were shaking. His jaw was tight.

Xiomara turned to leave.

Her heels clicked against the marble. She was walking toward the elevator.

Caspian’s hand shot out. He grabbed her wrist.

"Wait."

Xiomara stopped. She did not turn around.

"Please," Caspian said. "Don’t do this. Don’t make me choose."

Xiomara’s voice was flat. "You already chose."

"I didn’t."

"You did. When you defended her. When you made excuses for her. When you looked at her like she was still yours."

Caspian’s hand tightened on her wrist. "That’s not true."

"Then prove it."

Xiomara turned to face him. Her eyes were hard.

"Take me to her. Right now. And watch her apologize to me."

Caspian’s face was pale. His hand dropped from her wrist.

"Xiomara—"

"Those are my terms. Take me to her, or we’re done."

Caspian’s chest was tight. His mind was racing. He knew Veyra would never apologize. He knew this would end badly.

But he also knew that Xiomara was serious. She would leave him. She would walk away. And he could not let that happen.

He took a breath.

"Fine," he said. "I’ll take you."

Xiomara’s eyes flickered. Triumph. Satisfaction.

"Good," she said. "Then let’s go."

Due to conflicting interests, he had no choice but to take Xiomara to find Veyra. They walked down the hallway together.