From his private booth overlooking the club, Lucas Sullivan had been watching the drama unfold with growing fascination.

The brunette had caught his attention the moment she'd started dancing-there was something about her that reminded him of a masked woman he'd met years ago. Someone he'd been searching for ever since.

But it was the conversation he'd overheard that sealed his interest.

She knew the Gifted Doctor. And it seemed she didn't just know him-she was a particularly influential figure. The mysterious surgeon he desperately needed to save his sister's life.

"I can't believe we're hiding behind pillars like teenagers," his friend Mark complained.

"She might be my only connection to the surgeon I need," Lucas replied, though his eyes remained fixed on Amelia's face.

When he'd seen how she'd handled that blonde woman-quick, decisive, unafraid-he'd been impressed.

And when Wright had tried to drag her away like she was his property, Lucas had felt an unexpected surge of protectiveness.

Now, seeing her walking away from Wright, he made his move.

"Good evening, beautiful."

Amelia looked up at him, exhaustion replacing her earlier fire.

"Look, I'm really not-"

"How many men do I have to tell tonight that she's fucking married!" Damian's roar echoed through the hallway as he charged toward them.

Amelia's face transformed with fury.

"And how many times do I have to tell you we're DIVORCED!"

"We got divorced today! Today, Amelia! And you're already letting strange men put their hands on you!" Damian's voice cracked with an emotion he didn't understand. "Tell me the truth-were you cheating before? Did you break our vows first?"

The accusation hit like a slap. Amelia stared at him in disbelief.

"Do you have any right to ask me that? Any right at all? You're the one who spent months screwing your ex-girlfriend! You broke our vows! And now you're having a meltdown because I'm talking to men after our divorce?"

Something snapped in her expression. Pure, undiluted hatred.

"You want to know the truth, Damian? I was a virgin on our wedding night. And four years later, I still am. Because my husband was so disgusted by me he couldn't even pretend to want me for one night."

Damian went white. "Amelia-"

"No, you wanted the truth. Here it is. Four years of marriage and you never once touched me. Never once looked at me like I was a woman instead of an obligation. So forgive me if I don't feel guilty about finally finding men who actually want me."

She looked up at Lucas, taking in his confident bearing and expensive suit. Perfect.

She grabbed Lucas's hand, her voice honey-sweet. "I've had enough drama for one night. Would you take me home?"

Lucas felt her small hand in his and saw the challenge in her eyes.

This woman was using him to hurt her ex-husband, and normally he'd walk away from such games.

But something about her drew him in.

"It would be my pleasure," he said smoothly.

Damian's face went purple. "Do you even know who you're talking to?"

Of course Damian knew Lucas Sullivan. The billionaire whose wealth made the Wright fortune look like pocket change.

A man known for being untouchable, who never got involved in other people's drama.

"Mr. Sullivan," Damian said carefully, his business instincts warring with his inexplicable jealousy. "She's upset. She doesn't know what she's saying."

Lucas pushed Damian's reaching hand away with cold precision.

"Mr. Wright, the lady seems to know exactly what she's saying. You're the one who needs to learn when to walk away."

Without warning, Lucas swept Amelia up into his arms, carrying her bridal-style.

Amelia's eyes widened in shock. She'd expected him to play along, not literally sweep her off her feet.

But seeing Damian's face-the way his jaw dropped, the way his hands clenched into fists-made her lean into Lucas's chest with a satisfied smile.

"What were you expecting, Damian?" she called over Lucas's shoulder. "That I'd spend the rest of my life crying over you? That I'd waste away waiting for a man who never wanted me in the first place?"

Her laugh was sharp as broken glass. "You're not worth my tears. You never were."

Lucas carried her toward the exit, his stride confident and unhurried.

When Damian tried to follow, two large security guards appeared, blocking his path.

"Let them through," Lucas said quietly, never breaking stride.

Damian watched helplessly as his ex-wife disappeared into the night in another man's arms.

This woman who'd just publicly announced she was still a virgin.

Who'd called him out for his cruelty in front of strangers.

Who'd looked at him with such pure hatred it had stolen his breath.

This wasn't the Amelia he knew. The quiet woman who'd endured his coldness without complaint.

Who'd made his favorite meals and never said a word when he threw them away.

Who'd slept silently on her side of their bed, never reaching for him, never asking for more than he was willing to give.

This Amelia was a stranger. Strong, fierce, unafraid to fight back.

And watching Lucas Sullivan carry her away felt like someone was ripping his heart out of his chest.

For four years, he'd told himself he didn't want her.

For four years, he'd treated her like she was nothing. An inconvenience. A burden forced on him by his grandfather's dying wish.

So why did seeing her with another man make him want to tear the world apart?

Why did her confession about still being a virgin hit him like a punch to the gut?

And why, for the first time in four years, did he finally understand what he'd lost?

When they got out of the club, Lucas set Amelia down on her feet.

"Thank you, Mr. Sullivan." She murmured.

With how Damian had addressed him, Amelia knew he was an important person in society.

She really didn't want to get mixed with these kinds of people anymore but at the same time, her body was singing from being in his arms.

"You're welcome. I could still take you home if you're up for that." He offered.

"I."Before Amelia could reply to that, a voice interrupted them.

"There you are."

Lucas and Amelia turned to see the man she was dancing with earlier at the club, the man Damian had hit.

This time, he had about five hefty men around him, and they were obviously thugs.

"Oh, you're not with that punk anymore? Just how many are there? No one has to get hurt, I have taken a liking towards you so come with me, I promise you'd have a good time." The man let out in a threatening tone.

Lucas pulled Amelia behind him.

"Get lost." He ordered.

The man, determined to get the beautiful Amelia signaled his men to attack Lucas.

Lucas charged towards them, punching and blocking every jab and kick as high as his head, each attack and retreat performed, skillfully, he was determined to protect Amelia.

But to his surprise, the woman he wanted to protect lunged at the men before he could stop her.

She moved like the wind, sending kicks to the knees, punches to the jaw. One by one, the men dropped to the ground, weakly.

Within minutes, the entire group, including their leader lay barely conscious on the ground.

Lucas swallowed as he stared at Amelia.

"You're strong." He complimented.

She smirked. "I know."

He didn't feel intimidated by her. If anything, he got even more fascinated and drawn to her.

"Since we've just gone through that together, how about we go on a date?"

Amelia scoffed. "Are you sure you didn't stage that attack to flirt with me?"

Lucas cocked an eyebrow. He reached for her, swiftly.

Snaking an arm around her waist, he pulled her against his body.

Amelia's breath caught but she didn't push him away.

"I have better means than that if I want to flirt with you." He ran his thumb through her bottom lip. "You're so beautiful, Miss Brown." He drawled.

This wasn't the first time she had been called 'beautiful' but she had no idea why his words, his voice stirred something in her chest.

She had only wanted to use him to piss off Damian.

She shouldn't be in his arms like this.

She shouldn't be a blushing mess.

Seeing his head lower as he brought his lips to hers made her eyes dilate but she still couldn't bring herself to push him away.

The second they kissed, her skin sizzled.

His lips were so warm against hers. The kiss started off soft and sensual. Mouths pressed together, lips slowly caressing, his tongue touching her lips, and she opened wide to take him in.

His arms encircled her waist and pulled her to him. She was pressing against him, her soft curves against his muscles.

Even under his designer tux, she could feel his rock-hard body. She could feel something else too.

The kiss started off soft and sensual, but it rapidly became something else.

The ringing of her cellphone startled Amelia and she realized she had been kissing a stranger, passionately.

Alarmed, she disengaged from him.

Had she learnt nothing from the behavior of men?

She had just gotten divorced but here she was, in the arms of another man!

Did she want to get hurt again?

She glanced at him awkwardly as she answered her call.

It was Jessica.

"Where are you, Amelia? I've been searching for you everywhere. Are you okay?"

Amelia recalled they had gotten separated on the dance floor.

"I'm fine. I'm at the side of the club's building." She replied and then hung up.

She glanced back at Lucas who had his arms crossed around his formidable chest.

"About the date." He reminded, but she interrupted him.

"It can't happen. I'm not interested."

She didn't want to get involved or entangled with another man again. She didn't want any man to leave her questioning her self-worth and beauty. She wanted to focus on herself. She felt she was better off alone.

But as she walked away, her lips still twitched from his kiss and she couldn't deny how devastatingly handsome that man was.

Lucas Sullivan had a smirk on his face as he watched her walk off.

He learned throughout his whole life that timing was everything. He had always been practical, he had made logical and reasonable decisions. He believed that all his calculated and logically planned decisions had led him to where he was now, as the President of the greatest empire in New Orleans.

Nothing ever moved him. He knew a lot of people often wondered if he had a heart. Even he himself had thought about it and concluded that he wasn't wired like most people. He felt extraordinary and he stared at people as lesser beings.

But his control slipped the moment he saw her tonight.

And after kissing her, it was as though every part of his life was shifting to include her.

Oh, he was going to make her interested.

"You kissed Lucas Sullivan?!" Jessica's eyes were wide with disbelief as they collapsed onto Amelia's couch. "The Lucas Sullivan?"

Amelia nodded, still trying to process what had happened herself. "It just... happened."

"And then?" Jessica leaned forward like she was watching the most fascinating movie of her life.

"He asked me on a date. I said no."

Jessica's jaw dropped. "You said no to Lucas Sullivan? Are you insane?"

"I'm not interested in getting involved with another man, Jess. Especially not someone like him."

"Someone like him?" Jessica laughed incredulously. "Girl, do you have any idea who you just turned down? Lucas Sullivan doesn't date. Ever. There are rumors he's never even been seen with the same woman twice. But he wanted to take you on a date?"

Amelia frowned. That didn't match the man who'd kissed her like he was starving for her.

"I don't care," she said firmly. "No men, no drama. I'm done."

"Amelia, you can't let Damian ruin this for you. Not every man is going to treat you like garbage."

"How do you know? Damian seemed perfect at first too." Amelia's voice turned bitter. "Rich, successful, handsome. And he spent four years making me feel worthless."

Jessica's expression softened. "Honey, you're twenty-eight and you've never even been properly kissed until tonight. You can't write off all men because of one asshole."

The words stung because they were true. Amelia had wasted four years of her life on a man who couldn't even be bothered to consummate their marriage. Who looked at her like she was something disgusting he'd stepped in.

"Lucas has more money and power than Damian could ever dream of," Jessica continued. "Breweries, airlines, fashion empire. He's basically untouchable. And he wanted you."

"Which is exactly why I need to stay away from him," Amelia said sharply. "If Damian treated me like dirt with his money and status, imagine what someone with real power would do."

Jessica sighed, recognizing the stubborn set of Amelia's jaw. "Fine. But you're making a mistake."

"I'm protecting myself."

But as Amelia lay in bed that night, she couldn't stop thinking about Lucas's kiss. The way he'd held her like she was precious. The heat in his eyes when he'd called her beautiful.

Maybe Jessica was right. Maybe she was missing out on something real.

Or maybe she was smart to run before another powerful man could destroy what was left of her self-worth.

---

Damian paced the hospital corridor like a caged animal, his phone pressed to his ear as it rang for the fifth time.

Straight to voicemail. Again.

"Damn it, Amelia, pick up!" He ended the call and immediately dialed again.

Where was she? It was past midnight. Was she still with Lucas Sullivan? The thought made his chest feel like it was being crushed in a vise.

"Damian?" Sophia's weak voice called from her room. "What are you doing out there?"

He forced himself to walk back inside, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Nothing. Just checking with the nurses."

But Sophia wasn't stupid. She could see the agitation written across his face, the way his hands shook slightly.

"You're thinking about her, aren't you?" Her voice was small, wounded. "About Amelia."

"I need to convince her to change her mind about your surgery," he said, unable to meet her eyes. "She's the only one who can get the Gifted Doctor to reconsider."

"So you're calling your ex-wife to help me?" Sophia's laugh was bitter. "Do you realize how pathetic that sounds?"

"It's not pathetic if it saves your life."

"Don't lie to me, Damian." Tears started forming in Sophia's green eyes. "You've been pacing and calling her for the past hour. And you look like you're about to punch a wall."

Damian ran his hands through his hair, frustration bleeding through every word. "I saw her tonight. At a club. With other men."

The confession tore out of him before he could stop it.

"She was different, Sophia. Not the quiet woman who used to wait at home. She was... commanding. The entire medical staff treated her like she was someone important, not just an assistant."

"So what?" Sophia's voice cracked with desperation. "So what if she has some influence with that doctor? You divorced her, Damian. You chose me."

"This isn't about choosing anyone," he snapped, then immediately looked guilty. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-it's just that she's being vindictive. She's letting her personal feelings affect a professional decision."

"Are you sure about that?" Sophia asked quietly. "Or are you just angry that she's not jumping to help you anymore?"

The question hung in the air like poison.

"She said your case doesn't warrant the Gifted Doctor's attention," Damian continued, ignoring her probing. "But that can't be right. You're dying, Sophia. How can your life not be worth saving?"

"Maybe because she knows the truth about us," Sophia whispered. "About how long we've been together. Maybe she's finally done being understanding."

Damian's jaw clenched. "Her personal feelings have no place in medical decisions. The Gifted Doctor's assistant shouldn't be making life-or-death choices based on grudges."

But even as he said it, his phone buzzed with a text notification. His heart jumped, hoping it was Amelia finally responding.

It wasn't.

"You promised you'd never leave me," Sophia said, watching his face fall when he checked the message. "When I was sick in Paris, when I called you crying because I was scared and alone, you promised you'd wait for me."

"I'm not leaving you," he said firmly, moving to take her hands. "I'm trying to save you. That's why I need to reach Amelia. She has to convince the Gifted Doctor to operate."

"And if she refuses?"

"She won't," he said with more confidence than he felt. "She may hate me, but she's not cruel enough to let an innocent person die."

But as he held Sophia's trembling hands, all he could think about was the cold finality in Amelia's voice when she'd said her recommendation stood.

The way she'd looked at him like he was nothing more than an irritating stranger.

For four years, he'd taken her quiet compliance for granted. Her willingness to fade into the background, to never make demands, to accept whatever scraps of attention he threw her way.

Now she held Sophia's life in her hands, and she was treating him exactly the way he'd treated her-like he didn't matter at all.

The irony was suffocating, and for the first time, Damian Wright was learning what it felt like to be powerless.