While My Husband Cheated I Married His Powerful Brother novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66: Chapter 66 Leon’s Confusion

The estate felt suffocating.

Veyra had been back for an hour. She had changed out of her rumpled clothes. She had splashed water on her face. She had sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the wall.

But her mind kept drifting back to the coffee shop. To Mia. To the way the young woman had looked overwhelmed during the rush.

She had already thanked Mia. She had already given her something. But that was not enough. She wanted to do more.

She stood up. She grabbed her bag.

Li Wei was in the hallway. He raised an eyebrow.

"Going somewhere, Mrs. Thorne?"

"Back to the coffee shop."

"You were just there."

"I know. But I want to help. She was busy. I can work the counter. Make drinks." Veyra paused. "I used to be good at it."

Li Wei studied her face. Then he nodded. "I’ll drive you."

The car ride was short. The coffee shop was still open. The afternoon light had shifted to gold.

Veyra pushed open the door. The bell chimed.

Mia was behind the counter, alone, rushing between the register and the espresso machine. Her ponytail was coming loose. There was a smudge of chocolate on her apron.

"Mia," Veyra said.

Mia looked up. Her eyes widened. "You came back."

"I came back to help. If you still need it."

Mia’s shoulders sagged with relief. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious. I worked at a coffee shop before. In college. Before I had to drop out." Veyra shrugged. "I remember how to make a latte. How to work the register. How to wipe down tables."

Mia reached under the counter and pulled out an apron. Veyra tied it around her waist. She stepped behind the counter.

The espresso machine was familiar.

Veyra’s hands found their places. The portafilter. The tamper. The steam wand. It had been years, but her body remembered.

"What do you need?" she asked.

"Latte. Extra shot. Oat milk. Table three."

Veyra moved. She ground the beans. Tamped them smooth. Locked the portafilter into place. The espresso shot poured dark and thick.

She steamed the oat milk. The wand hissed. The milk swirled into a silky microfoam.

She poured. The latte art was not perfect. A lopsided heart. But it was something.

"Latte," she called out. "Extra shot. Oat milk."

A customer stepped forward. Veyra took their payment. Made change and then smiled.

"Americano. Black. No sugar."

Another customer. Another drink.

The line moved. The drinks flowed. Mia handled the register. Veyra handled the machine. They worked in silence, efficient and synchronized.

Li Wei stood by the door.

His arms were crossed. His face was calm. But inside, his mind was spinning.

An hour ago, he had watched this woman disarm a gangster with an empty gun. Tie up four thugs. Threaten a loan shark. Walk out of a pizza shop like she owned it.

Now she was making lattes.

He shook his head. It felt like a dream. Like two different people inhabiting the same body.

His hand moved to his lapel. The brooch there was small. Discreet. It contained a hidden camera.

He had already sent Dorian the video from the pizza shop. The one of Veyra pressing the gun to Xie Heng’s head. The one of her smiling as she revealed the empty chamber.

Now he tapped the brooch again. He recorded a new video. Veyra behind the counter. Steaming milk. Pouring espresso. Smiling at customers.

He sent it and the message delivered. He waited for a response, then Li Wei’s phone buzzed and he looked at the screen.

From now on, you don’t need to report her affairs to me anymore.

He read the message twice.

His brow furrowed. He did not understand. Dorian had always wanted updates. Every detail. Every movement. Every word Veyra spoke.

Now, suddenly, he did not want to know?

Something had changed. Li Wei did not know what. He did not know why.

He looked at Veyra. She was laughing at something a customer said. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes were bright.

He thought about asking her. Do you know what’s going on with Mr. Thorne?

But he decided against it.

His job was to protect her. Not to get involved in whatever was happening between her and his employer.

He tucked his phone back into his pocket. He crossed his arms. He watched.

The rush ended.

The line disappeared. The customers settled at their tables. The coffee shop grew quiet again.

Veyra wiped down the counter. She rinsed the milk pitcher. She refilled the beans in the grinder.

Mia came to stand beside her. "You’re good at this."

"I had good teachers."

"You said you worked at a coffee shop in college. What happened?"

Veyra paused. "Life happened," she said.

Mia nodded. She did not push and they stood together in comfortable silence.

"I’m starting college in September," mai said. "I just got my admission letter."

Veyra’s heart jumped. "That’s wonderful. Which school?"

"Etland University of Medicine."

Veyra’s breath caught.

Etland. The same school she had wanted to attend. The same school Dr. Harrison was helping her get into.

"That’s amazing," Veyra said. "You must be so excited."

"I’m terrified." Mia laughed. "But excited too. My parents are proud. They’ve never said it, but I can tell."

Veyra smiled. She thought about her own mother. How proud she would have been.

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