While My Husband Cheated I Married His Powerful Brother novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Chapter 50 A Wife Against the World

The room was suspended in silence.

Eleanor was still clinging to the back of the sofa, her face the color of old ash. Her lips were trembling. Her hands were shaking. She looked like a woman who had just seen her own grave.

Veyra watched her. Studied her. The way her breath came in short, ragged gasps. The way her eyes darted around the room looking for someone—anyone—to save her.

The Meditation Room.

Veyra did not know what it was. But from Eleanor’s reaction, she understood. It was not a place anyone wanted to go.

She felt a quiet satisfaction settle in her chest.

And it was not because she enjoyed seeing Eleanor suffer. But because justice was finally being served. Eleanor had tried to destroy her. Had tried to kill Lily. Had tried to tear apart everything Veyra was building.

And now she was facing the consequences.

Veyra was satisfied.

Dorian’s voice cut through the quiet.

"You have ten seconds," he said. "Apologize to Veyra. Or spend a week in the Meditation Room. Those are your only choices."

Eleanor’s head snapped toward the Old Madam. Her eyes were desperate. Pleading.

"Mother," she said. "Please. You can’t let him do this to me. I’ve been loyal to this family. I’ve—"

The Old Madam did not look at her.

"I gave Dorian the authority to decide your punishment," the Old Madam said. "I will not interfere."

Eleanor’s face crumbled.

She looked at Phillip. He turned away. She looked at Beatrice. Beatrice shook her head. She looked at Harold. Harold’s face was stone.

No one would help her.

She was alone.

Eleanor’s shoulders slumped. Her hands fell to her sides. She stood there for a long moment, her chest heaving, her eyes wet.

Then she walked toward Veyra.

Each step seemed to cost her something. Her legs were stiff. Her jaw was tight. She stopped in front of Veyra. Close enough to touch.

Their eyes met.

"I’m sorry," Eleanor said.

The words were flat and forced. They tasted like poison in her mouth.

Veyra said nothing and everyone waited.

Eleanor stood there, her arms crossed, her chin lifted. She had done what was asked. She had apologized. Now she expected to be released.

But Veyra was not finished.

"That apology," Veyra said slowly, "came from fear but not from remorse. You’re not sorry for what you did. You’re sorry you got caught."

Eleanor’s face tightened.

"You locked a child in a cage," Veyra continued. "You hired men to kidnap her. You tried to ruin my reputation. You tried to destroy my marriage. And you expect me to accept a three-word apology uttered under duress?"

Eleanor’s hands curled into fists.

"I cannot accept this apology," Veyra said. "Because it’s not real. You’re not sorry. You’re just afraid."

The room was silent.

Eleanor’s face went red.

The composure she had been clinging to shattered like glass. Her eyes blazed. Her nostrils flared. Her hand drew back.

"I’ll show you sorry," she snarled.

Her hand swung toward Veyra’s face.

But it never landed.

Dorian moved faster than anyone could see. His hand shot out. His fingers closed around Eleanor’s wrist. He held it in mid-air, inches from Veyra’s cheek.

Eleanor struggled and tried to pull free but his grip was iron.

"Let go of me!"

Dorian did not let go. His gray eyes were cold. Deadly.

"You just made things worse," he said.

Dorian released her wrist. Eleanor stumbled back. She rubbed her arm where his fingers had been.

"Take her to the Meditation Room," Dorian said. His voice was quiet. But everyone heard it. "One week. No visitors, no phone calls and no exceptions."

The bodyguards stepped forward.

Li Wei took Eleanor’s left arm. Another guard took her right.

"No!" Eleanor screamed. She tried to pull away. Her shoes scraped against the floor. "No, you can’t! You can’t do this to me! I’m family! I’m—"

They dragged her toward the door.

"Phillip!" Eleanor screamed. "Phillip, don’t let them do this! Say something!"

Phillip did not look at her. He stared at the floor. His hands were shaking.

"Mother!" Eleanor screamed at the Old Madam. "Mother, please!"

The Old Madam closed her eyes.

Eleanor was pulled through the doorway. Her screams echoed down the hallway.

"Please! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean—"

The door closed.

Her voice faded into the distance.

The room was quiet again.

But a different kind of quiet, this time it was heavier and sadder.

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