Wren's stomach tightened sharply the moment her gaze collided with that familiar pair of amber eyes.

It was Felix. Her ex-husband.

She thought bitterly, wondering how his heavy cologne and ominous aura could set her on edge before he'd even touched her. Long ago, she had liked that harsh, predatory scent clinging to him. Now it seeped into her lungs like poison.

So, it seemed, her ex-husband was also celebrating the divorce-just as she was here tonight.

"Well, Mr. Morel? Good evening. Quite the coincidence, isn't it?" Wren's mocking smile curved as she glanced at his large hand clamped around her wrist.

Felix's jaw tightened instantly. Dressed in polished leather shoes and a gleaming suit, he looked like a statue brought to life. His eyes swept over her with possessive force, detesting the boldness she had newly discovered.

"What the hell are you doing?" he growled, his voice rolling like thunder.

"That's my question for you, don't you think?" Wren shot back, her brow furrowing. "What right do you have to drag me away from my date-or do you not understand the concept of divorce?"

"I asked what you're doing with this man?" Felix ignored her retort, his gaze slashing between Wren and her dance partner, sharp as a rabid beast's.

What right did he have to be angry? They'd divorced a week ago.

Wren crossed her arms, glaring coldly. "What do you think? We're obviously dancing, enjoying each other's company, while I try to scrub off the stench of three rotten years with you." With that, she yanked free of his grip.

Felix's face twitched, as if slapped. "Don't act like you weren't crazy about me those three years." He lunged, grabbing her arm hard enough to nearly lift her off the ground.

Pain pinched Wren's brows, but worse than that was his mockery of her sincerity. She was grateful she had left this bastard.

"Yeah, you're right," she shrugged carelessly. "I was crazy about you-crazy enough to organize your underwear drawer. Do you still need me to remind you which drawer I put them in?"

Suppressing laughter rippled through the crowd. Felix's eyes darkened, as though he could devour them all.

His grip on her arm tightened as he tried to drag her away.

Suddenly, Wren's tall dance partner stepped forward, pulling her protectively to his side.

Felix's gaze dropped to the man's hand resting on her waist, and his eyes turned vicious-like he wanted to chop it off.

Lifting his head slowly, his voice dropped into a growl. "Who the hell are you? Do you even know who you're touching? If you dare stay with her-are you ready to risk your life for her?"

"Of course." The man didn't hesitate, his tone solid as stone. "I was born for Wren."

The reply stunned them both-especially Wren. She looked up at him, searching his face for the faintest smile, but found none.

Then suddenly, he raised his hand, pressed it to his lips, and winked at her. Her heart skipped.

Wren gasped in shock, staring at the beautiful stranger.

No.

It couldn't be.

She studied his face, connecting every detail: the once-soft jawline now sharpened, the short and stocky frame transformed into tall, broad strength. The shy, chubby boy who once trailed after her was gone-replaced by a strikingly handsome man.

"William?" she whispered in disbelief.

He grinned at her, a playful glint in his eyes. "Took you long enough, Wren."

She froze, staring into his eyes, still shaken. In that moment, the air around them seemed to freeze. Wren suddenly realized how attractive William had become-and how fiercely he defended her.

Wren shoved Felix away and threw her arms around William. "It really is you, William."

"So you've known each other for a while, then?" Felix's voice sliced through, cold and full of spite. "Or should I ask, Wren-were you sleeping with him before the divorce?"

Wren's eyes widened. She wanted to slap him. But right now, she wanted to speak to William more. So she sneered, "Mr. Morel, that question would've only been valid before our divorce. Or maybe you should run back to your team of lawyers and ask them whether your position still holds up."

The chill radiating off Felix intensified. His fists clenched as if she had truly betrayed him. Wren tightened her grip on William, trying to walk away.

Felix suddenly yanked her back, pulling her into his chest so hard her nose hit the firmness of him. That familiar scent filled her senses again.

"You bastard!" Pain snapped her awake, and she cursed.

"Answer me, Wren!" Felix wrapped around her, making her feel small and trapped, his thunderous heartbeat and harsh breathing crashing against her. Her skin tingled with electric sparks, but his gaze still pierced her like knives.

A woman's gasp suddenly shattered the tension. Wren turned toward the sound and saw Simone in a glittering gown, golden curls spilling over one shoulder.

"Felix?!" she gasped, hand over her mouth. "What's going on? Why did you suddenly disappear? Bianca's been looking for you." Then her gaze landed on Wren in Felix's arms. "Wren? What are you doing here?! And Felix, why are you holding your ex-wife?!"

Wren rolled her eyes. Why were they all so obsessed with her? She was divorced. She had nothing to do with them. Even if she killed someone, it had nothing to do with them.

"Simone, this doesn't concern you. Leave," Felix hissed.

"No, Felix, you can't let this snake lure you back in!" Simone snapped. "You need to push her away. Our family finally scraped the gum off our shoe!"

Wren didn't bother replying to Simone. Instead, she turned to Felix. "Mr. Morel, did you hear her? You're hugging your ex-wife. Don't you think that's strange?"

"Why can't you just be like a decent ex-husband-see your ex-wife living a new life, and bless her, the way I would?" Wren added, trying once more to knock his iron arm away.

It didn't budge. And then Bianca stepped forward.

"Bianca, get your lunatic man out of here. I don't want him ruining my date," Wren said pointedly, deliberately provoking Felix. Why could he flaunt Bianca in public, while she couldn't date who she pleased?

"Felix." Bianca's eyes flickered to William, then she tugged at Felix gently. "Wren has her new life. I think she wants your blessing."

Wren felt Felix's grip on her loosen slightly, and she exhaled. But the next second, like a beast unleashed, Felix swung and punched William in the face.

William staggered back, wiped the blood from his nose, then surged forward and landed a punch of his own. Felix stumbled back a step. They were about the same build-Felix maybe an inch taller. His rage burned to strike again.

But Wren immediately threw herself between them.

"No!" she cried, arms outstretched. "Stop this now!"

Neither man listened. William edged closer, but Wren pressed her hand to his chest.

"William, please. Don't. He's not worth it."

Felix's fist still hovered in the air. Wren met his eyes, cold and unflinching.

"Tell me, Felix-why are you suddenly acting like a jealous teenager?"

"Are you in love with me? Is that why you're losing your mind?" Wren asked icily.

The air fell instantly silent. Felix froze where he stood, his Adam's apple bobbing once. Suddenly, the corner of his mouth twitched. "Wren, I just don't want the public to misunderstand-that Morel was cruel to his divorced wife, leaving you to sink so low you have to sell your body to survive."

Without thinking, Wren slapped Felix across the face. He needed to pay for his arrogance.

The crowd seemed to hold its breath. Felix snapped his head toward Wren. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Humiliation flooded him; his hands twitched as if he were restraining the urge to strike back, but Wren's glare pinned him in place.

William stepped closer to Wren, glaring at Felix as if to say, She's not alone.

"This should be the first and the last time you pull a stunt like this," Wren said, pointing at Felix. "We're already divorced, so the next time you harass me or my date, I'll file for a restraining order."

Felix kept staring at her without a word, all his earlier bluster and arrogance seeming to drain away.

The Wren glaring at him now was no longer the Wren he once knew.

Even Wren herself could hardly believe she had slapped him. It felt like an out-of-body experience, as if something had seized control of her in an instant.

Seeing Felix lay such audacious claim to her filled her with fury.

How dare he?

Wasn't he the one who reminded her every day how unworthy she was of him? What right did he have to tell William he wasn't worthy of her?

If he had agreed to the divorce, why couldn't he just let her go?

After so long with Felix, she had forgotten how brave and defiant she used to be-but tonight, that feeling blazed back to life.

"Wren! How dare you!" Simone snapped out of it and screamed. Her gaze swung back to the redness blooming on Felix's cheek. "Are you really going to let this woman hit you and get away with it? Considering all the tricks she pulled today, you should-"

"Simone, shut up!" Felix cut her off, turning with an angry look.

"This is the last time you interfere in what's between Wren and me," he said, furious, leaving Simone speechless. Wren was stunned; he had never defended her in front of the Morel family.

"Felix, we need to go to a hospital." Bianca walked over and took his arm. Felix still didn't move; his gaze shifted to Wren. "As for you. the next time you crawl back to me, I'll snap your neck."

Wren let out a disbelieving snort. "Me? Crawl back to you? Did you forget who asked for the divorce?"

At her words, Felix's eyes widened slightly. He turned on Bianca in a rage.

"Let's go," he said, taking her hand. He left with her, casting Wren one last look before he went.

Wren exhaled in relief, not even sure what she had been holding in. For a split second, she thought his eyes looked wounded-but she knew Felix, so it was probably just her imagination.

"Oh my God," Grace cried happily, hurrying up to Wren. "I didn't know you could be so savage."

At Grace's comment, Wren rolled her eyes, the corners of her mouth lifting despite herself.

"Are you okay?" Grace asked, her expression turning serious as she gauged her friend's mood.

Wren's smile widened. "Yeah. I actually am."

William looked at Wren with admiration. He had always admired her courage and her willingness to sacrifice herself to help others.

"Looks like you're as brave as ever," William remarked, and Wren turned to him.

"I can't believe you still remember that about me," Wren replied, meeting his eyes.

William's gaze dropped to her lips. "Of course. You were the first woman who ever protected me. I'll never forget it."

Seeing William's look, Grace knew to take her leave. "Since I'm clearly the third wheel, I'll stop interrupting. Wren, don't do anything I wouldn't do-I do everything."

With that, she disappeared into the crowd, leaving Wren and William alone.

They moved to a private booth tucked in a corner. Sitting down under the dim lights, Wren felt at ease. It was the perfect space to relax, away from prying eyes.

William ordered a bottle of wine and, as Wren settled comfortably into her seat, generously handed her a glass.

"Long time no see, Wren," William said suddenly.

"Yeah," Wren replied. "Last time we met, you were a chubby middle-schooler."

William chuckled. "You were always my strongest support. Do you remember the day you got Billy Porter kicked out of school for calling me fat?"

"I did that?" Wren laughed, trying to recall.

"You did-and so much more," William's smile turned serious. "You were the only one who stood up for me. The only one who understood me."

A tightness tugged at Wren's chest. She had protected him because he was her friend, and if she had to do it again, she would.

"I'm not as noble as you think. I guess I kept defending you because I was too infatuated with your father."

"Doesn't that mean I've got a shot? People say I'm his mirror image," William said with a charming smile.

Wren was amused, but she shook her head. "I can't date you, William. I only see you as a friend. And I just got out of a very difficult relationship, so I can't date right now."

William paused, his eyes unreadable, then he smiled. "You think that's going to scare me off?" he asked, leaning in a little.

His gaze dropped to her lips again. "Wren, I like a challenge. You haven't seen the real me yet."

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the leftover rush of confidence, but Wren wanted to indulge him.

"Then what's the real you?" she teased.

William, however, was deadly serious. He slid an arm around her waist and drew her against the hard planes of his body. Desire burned in his deep eyes as he studied her face-her beauty, the delight sparking in her gaze, the drink-flushed cheeks, the full curve of her lips.

"Let me show you," he murmured, and then he kissed her.

For a moment, Wren didn't resist. She went still and let him kiss her, heat and hunger pouring out-the words he'd hidden for years, all his yearning for her.

Wren closed her eyes, waiting for passion to slam into her chest, waiting for her heart to race with desire-but she felt nothing.

When William finally drew back, he didn't need to ask to know she felt nothing at all.

"I'm sorry," Wren said awkwardly, feeling she owed him an apology for the disappointment.

William's heart sank.

He forced a smile and raked a hand through his hair. "No need to apologize. I didn't really expect you to fall in love with me from a kiss. Besides, I told you-I like a challenge."

Wren smiled back, trying to pretend she hadn't seen the hurt in his eyes. She wanted to lighten the mood. "So. are we still friends?"

"Wren, do you need me?" William didn't answer the question; his eyes were so deep she couldn't read his intent.

Wren didn't overthink it-she liked William. He reminded her of the warm, happy childhood she'd once had. She nodded. "Of course. You know I'm happier to see you than your dad. I hope we can see each other often."

William smiled and tossed back the last drop of wine; his gaze reddened. "You know, Wren, I can't say no to you. But-" He paused, and Wren waited for what came next.

"Wren, I'm not my father's 'good boy' anymore. I'm a man-a man who can make any woman feel danger. You'd better understand that. I'm not sure I'll always be this gentlemanly."

Wren smiled at him, then-like when they were kids-she ruffled his hair. "William, you're hilarious when you try to be serious."

William set down his glass at once and stood. "Please, Wren-what do you take me for? You're embarrassing me," he teased lightly, then disappeared deeper into the booth.

After he left, Wren drained her drink. William's appearance had indeed eased her pain a little, but once she was alone, she recalled the hurt in Felix's eyes again-like a beast struck in the heart, as if, for the first time, he had felt his own vulnerability.

Wren admitted a flicker of disappointment flashed through her-but it had to be an illusion. Felix hated her.