Chapter 1 Cheating
Lenora Brandt walked in on her husband, Zavier Velez, having sex with her sister, Melany Brandt.
Tears streamed down Lenora’s face as she watched.
Melany gasped, a mix of pleasure and pain.
Lenora pressed her hands over her ears as if that could shut out the truth. She had no idea how many times this had happened behind her back.
For a moment, Lenora thought Melany was looking right at her. Then Melany asked, “Zavier, be honest. Me or Lenora?”
Lenora’s eyes widened in shock. She didn’t want to hear his answer.
Everyone in Lasthelm knew Lenora was Zavier’s one and only.
She had believed that too for ten years. But as she stood there taking it all in, the weight of reality crushed her.
She didn’t need his answer anymore. Lenora turned to leave.
For months, she had been trapped in hesitation, unable to decide.
Now the choice was easy.
Before Lenora could walk away, Zavier’s grip tightened around Melany’s chin, his voice cold and sharp. “I’ve told you Nora is my wife. You’re nothing compared to her.”
He was inside of Melany, but his eyes burned with hostility, as if she
were an enemy.
Lenora returned to the charity gala, her skin damp with cold sweat, her eyes dull. What she had just seen kept replaying in her mind.
She and Zavier had been together for years. Every day, he would tell her she was his everything, but all along, he had been with Melany.
Lenora had started suspecting months ago, but she never thought Melany would be this bold–having sex with him backstage.
“Mrs. Velez, you’re back alone? Where’s your husband?” someone asked.
The words barely registered. The crowd broke into laughter, their eyes full of envy. Everyone knew Lenora’s story. She was adopted but still the luckiest woman alive.
She and Zavier had been together since they were teenagers, building their business empire side by side.
Zavier was successful, charming, and devoted. No matter where he went, Lenora was always with him. He never stopped talking about her.
The teasing glances lingered. Lenora’s lips parted, trembling. After pushing the memory aside, she replied, “Zavier hates being interrupted when he’s working. I don’t want him to be mad at me.”
Earlier, when Zavier went backstage, he said it was for work. Lenora never disturbed him. But this time, she did.
“Mad at you? Oh, come on, Lenora,” one teased.
“Yeah, Mr. Velez is crazy about you. No way he’d get mad just because you interrupted him,” another said.
Lenora forced a thin smile. Their praise continued, but bitterness ate away
at her.
She used to believe Zavier loved her. Now she wasn’t sure anymore.
Suddenly, she felt an arm slip around her shoulders. Zavier’s voice followed, gentle and tinged with a smile. “Ignore them, Nora. They know I’m crazy about you. I’d never be mad at you.”
Zavier ruffled her hair like always. The habit never changed from middle school to four years into their marriage.
The mix of sweat and perfume made her stomach turn. She pulled away, frowning. “You’re all sweaty.”
He clung to her, whispering, “Babe, you know I sweat a lot. You never minded before.”
Zavier didn’t care how others might see it. If anything, he loved showing
it off.
Lenora flinched, but not fast enough. His sweat, mixed with Melany’s, smeared against her face.
Her brows pulled together, nausea tightening her throat.
She only reacted this way because of the cheating. The thought of them
made her sick.
“Zavier.” A voice called from behind, and he finally let go of Lenora.
Zavier turned. “Hi, Larry.”
Larry Brandt, Lenora’s adoptive father, stood there with Melany beside him.
Lenora looked away the moment she saw her. “Dad,” she murmured,
barely above a whisper, like she was the one in the wrong.
“The contract is ready, but we need to talk about the profit split. Seventy- thirty doesn’t work for us. Melany and I want a better deal. What do
you say?” Larry said
He watched Zavier with quiet certainty, as if the deal was already done. Lenora looked at Zavier coldly.
Zavier used to tell her everything about the company and his plans. Yet somehow, she was only now finding out he was working with Larry.
He had once said he would never go near Larry when he learned that she had been abused by Larry during her childhood.
Lowering her gaze, Lenora listened as Zavier shut him down. His tone turned businesslike, leaving no room for discussion, even with Melany standing right there.
“We already agreed on the split. And now it’s not enough?”
Melany gave him a flirty look and said in a sweet voice, “Come on, my sister married you. That makes us family. We shouldn’t have to haggle, right?”
As she played the family card, Lenora caught it–Melany’s hand sliding onto Zavier’s pinky. It was just like how their bodies had tangled in the dressing room.
A sharp pang hit Lenora.
She looked away, pretending not to see.
With Melany’s touch, Zavier changed his mind.
“Fine. For Nora’s sake, we’ll do sixty–forty. The contract gets signed
tomorrow, and no more changes.”
“Deal. I knew you’d be generous.” Larry chuckled, pleased, while Lenora’s face turned even paler.
Zavier was ruthless in business. No one ever squeezed extra profit from
him. But a word from Melany, and he handed over ten percent.
Maybe she meant more to him than Lenora had thought.
After handling the duo, Zavier finally noticed Lenora’s pale face.
The confidence he had moments ago faded into panic. His voice softened as he leaned in.
“Nora, I know you don’t like them, but they’re still your family. I’m only doing this to make things easier between you.“
