While My Husband Cheated, I Married His Powerful Brother

The private dining room was quiet except for the soft clink of silverware.

Veyra sat across from Wesley Wynn, her hands resting on the table. The black gloves were still on her fingers. She had not taken them off. She was not sure why.

Dorian sat beside her. His presence was solid. Calm. He had not said much since they sat down.

Wesley picked up the menu. He flipped through it. Then he set it down.

"Mrs. Thorne," he said. "Would you like to order?"

Veyra shook her head. "You can decide with Dorian. I’m not picky."

Wesley’s eyes flickered. He remembered her background. The cramped apartment. The instant noodles. The years of scraping by.

He did not press.

"I’ll order the restaurant’s signature dishes," he said. "If anything doesn’t suit you, we can change it."

Veyra nodded. "That’s fine."

Wesley signaled to the waiter. He spoke in rapid French. The waiter nodded and disappeared.

Dorian leaned back in his chair. His eyes were on Wesley.

"You’re in a good mood," Dorian said.

"I’m always in a good mood when I have good company." Wesley smiled. "And tonight, I have the best."

Dorian said nothing.

The waiter returned with a bottle.

It was dark glass. The label was old. Faded. The cork was sealed with red wax.

Wesley took the bottle. He turned it over in his hands.

"This is from my personal collection," he said. "Romanée-Conti. 1990."

Veyra blinked. She had heard of Romanée-Conti. It was one of the most expensive wines in the world. A single bottle could cost more than most people earned in a year.

She swallowed. "That’s... generous."

Wesley smiled. "It’s a special occasion."

The waiter opened the bottle. He poured a small amount into Wesley’s glass. Wesley swirled it. Smelled it. Tasted it. He nodded.

The waiter poured for Veyra. Then for Dorian.

Veyra stared at the glass. The liquid was dark. Ruby. It caught the light.

She did not touch it.

Wesley raised his glass. "To new beginnings."

Dorian raised his glass. "To new beginnings."

Veyra hesitated. Then she raised hers.

They drank.

The wine was smooth. Velvety. It left a warmth in her chest.

She set the glass down.

"Before we go any further," she said. "I want to clear something up."

Wesley tilted his head. "Of course."

She turned to Dorian. "Is tonight really just about an apology?"

Dorian’s expression did not change. "Yes."

"That’s it?"

"That’s it."

She stared at him. She was looking for the lie. The evasion. She found none.

But something about this felt off. Wesley Wynn did not invite people to private dinners just to apologize. He was too calculating for that.

She turned back to Wesley. "Is that really the only reason I’m here?"

Wesley’s smile widened. His eyes glittered.

"Mostly," he said.

Veyra leaned back in her chair. Her arms crossed.

"Then what’s the real reason?"

Wesley set down his wine glass. He folded his hands on the table.

"Mrs. Thorne," he said. "Have you ever heard of the Ravenwood Syndicate?"

Veyra’s brow furrowed. "No."

"It’s the largest criminal organization in Etran City. They’ve been operating for decades. They control everything from drug trafficking to human smuggling to extortion."

Veyra’s stomach tightened. "Why are you telling me this?"

Wesley’s eyes were serious.