While My Husband Cheated, I Married His Powerful Brother

Veyra’s glass was still in her hand. The water was warm now. The tears had dried on her cheeks. She had just thanked Dorian for everything he had done for her. She had meant every word.

Dorian set down his glass. His face was calm. Unreadable.

"You don’t need to thank me," he said. His voice was flat. "Dr. Harrison appreciated you because of your own abilities. Not because of me."

Veyra blinked. "That’s not true."

"It is true."

"I was nothing before you found me."

"You were never nothing."

Veyra shook her head. "I was trapped. I had no money. No resources. No hope. You gave me all of that."

Dorian’s jaw tightened. "I gave you a place to stay. The rest you earned yourself."

Veyra looked at him. His eyes were distant. His voice was cold. He was trying to push her away.

She did not let him.

"I know why you’re doing this," she said.

Dorian’s expression flickered. "Doing what?"

"Pushing me away. Making it seem like you don’t care."

Dorian said nothing.

"I’m not going to let you," Veyra continued. "You changed my life. You gave me a chance. I’m going to be grateful, whether you like it or not."

Dorian’s mouth twitched. Almost a smile. He suppressed it.

"You’re stubborn," he said.

"I’ve been told."

Wesley watched the exchange. His eyes moved between them. He was curious. Intrigued.

"Mrs. Thorne," he said. "You mentioned you have a life plan. What is it?"

Veyra turned to him. Her voice was steady. "I’m going to build a pharmaceutical company. With Xavier Lala. We’re going to develop new drugs. Save lives. Change the industry."

Wesley’s eyebrows rose. "That’s ambitious."

"I know."

"And you think you can do it?"

"I know I can."

Wesley leaned back. He studied her face. "You’re very confident."

"I’m determined which is a big difference."

Wesley smiled. "I like that."

He picked up his wine glass. He took a sip.

"I assume this has something to do with SN1818?"

Veyra nodded. "That’s the starting point. But it’s not the end."

Wesley set down his glass. "SN1818. The heart drug."

"Yes."

Wesley was quiet for a moment. Then his eyes widened.

"You developed it," he said slowly. "You’re Grace."

Veyra did not deny it.

Wesley stared at her. His face was shocked. Impressed.

"I knew you were interesting," he said. "I didn’t know you were a genius."

Veyra shrugged. "I’m not a genius. I just worked hard."

"No." Wesley shook his head. "You’re a genius. You developed the world’s most advanced heart disease drug. In a cramped apartment. With no funding. No lab. No help."

Veyra said nothing.

Wesley leaned forward. His voice was lower.

"Mrs. Thorne," he said. "You are remarkable."

Wesley was about to say something else when at that moment the door burst open.

Professor Sterling stood in the doorway. His face was red. His eyes were hard. Xiomara stood behind him. Her cheeks were still flushed. Caspian was beside her.

Wesley’s eyes narrowed. His voice was flat.

"Professor Sterling. To what do I owe this intrusion?"

Professor Sterling stepped into the room. He pointed at Xiomara’s face.

"Your bodyguard’s wife hit my student," he said. "I demand an explanation."

Wesley’s expression did not change. "My bodyguard’s wife?"

"Yes." Professor Sterling’s voice was loud. "She attacked Xiomara in the restroom, slapped her twice, grabbed her throat and nearly strangled her."

Wesley’s eyes moved to Xiomara. "Is that true?"

Xiomara’s lower lip trembled. "Yes. She attacked me for no reason."

Wesley’s face was calm. "Which bodyguard?"

Xiomara looked around the room. Her eyes landed on Dorian.

She pointed.

"Him," she said. "Dorian."

Then the room went silent.