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.
