Chapter 5 If it Isnt Mr Ex

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.