While My Husband Cheated I Married His Powerful Brother novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Incredibly Seductive

The night air was cool against her face.

Veyra stood on the balcony, leaning over the railing, her hair blowing across her cheeks. Below her, Dorian stepped out of the black car. The driver’s door closed with a solid thunk.

She smiled and then she waved.

"Welcome back," she called down.

Dorian looked up. His gray eyes found hers. His face was completely expressionless. Not a flicker of recognition. Not eben a hint of warmth.

He turned and walked toward the front door.

Veyra’s hand dropped to her side. Her smile faded.

She stood there for a moment, feeling awkward. Stupid. Like a child waving at a stranger who had no interest in waving back.

She went back inside.

She left her bedroom door slightly ajar.

Not wide open. Just a crack. Enough for someone to push open. Enough to signal that she was awake. That she was waiting.

She sat on the edge of the bed. Her hands were folded in her lap. Her heart was beating faster than it should have been.

She heard his footsteps in the hallway. Heavy. Measured. Getting closer.

The door creaked open.

Dorian walked in.

He was still wearing the same clothes from earlier. Dark pants. A black shirt. His hair was slightly disheveled. His jaw was tight.

He looked tired.

"Hi," Veyra said. She stood up. She tried to sound casual. Friendly. "I saved some cookies for you. The ones Lily and I made. They’re a little burnt, but they taste okay."

She gestured to the small plate on the dresser. Heart-shaped cookies. Pink icing. Slightly lopsided.

Dorian looked at the cookies. Then he looked at her.

His expression did not change.

"You want something," he said.

It was not a question.

Veyra’s cheeks flushed. She had been caught. She was not good at hiding her intentions. Never had been.

"I—" She hesitated. Her fingers twisted together. "There is something. Yes."

Dorian crossed his arms. He leaned against the doorframe. Waiting.

She took a breath.

"I want to learn combat skills," she said. "From Li Wei."

Dorian’s eyebrows rose. Just a fraction.

"He’s a Sanda champion," Veyra continued quickly. "Five years in the Special Forces. Rigorous combat training. He’s the best person to teach me."

Dorian said nothing.

"I know it’s unusual," she said. "A pregnant woman asking to learn how to fight. But I’m not asking for anything extreme. Just basic self-defense. Enough to protect myself if something happens."

Still, he said nothing.

"Please," she said. "Just consider it."

"No," Dorian said.

The word was flat and final.

Veyra’s heart sank. "Why not?"

"You’re pregnant."

"I know I’m pregnant. That’s exactly why I want to learn. So I can protect myself. Protect the baby."

"You’re not going to be in situations where you need to protect yourself. You have Li Wei. You have the estate security. You have me."

"What if none of you are there? What if something happens and I’m alone?"

Dorian’s jaw tightened. "That won’t happen."

"You can’t guarantee that."

The room was quiet.

Dorian stared at her. His gray eyes were hard. Unreadable.

Veyra met his gaze. She did not look away.

"I don’t want to be your Achilles’ heel," she said.

Dorian’s expression flickered.

"You said it yourself," she continued. "If I fall into the wrong hands, I become a weapon. A nuclear weapon. They would use me to destroy you."

She stepped closer.

"I don’t want that. I don’t want to be a weakness. I want to be strong. Capable. Someone who can defend herself. Someone who doesn’t need to be rescued."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify