"Get. Your. Hands. Off. My. Wife."
The voice came from behind Vince. It was low and deadly calm.
Knox.
Vince jumped back like he'd been electrocuted. I sagged against the wall in relief.
Knox stood five feet away, completely still except for the muscle ticking in his jaw.
He had removed his suit jacket at some point and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.
Venice held up his hands, already backing away.
"Mr. Humphries, I was just…"
"Breathing too close to what's mine." Knox's voice dropped even lower. "You have three seconds to apologize to my wife. Three more to disappear. Or I'll make sure every gentleman here in this gala ban you from their companies."
Knox took one step forward.
Just one.
"I… Mrs. Humphries, I apologize. I didn't mean…"
"One."
Knox's hand flexed at his side, and I realized he was barely holding himself back from physical violence.
"Two."
Vince practically ran.
The hallways fell silent except for my harsh breathing and the distant sounds of the gala.
Knox turned to face me. The ruthless billionaire was gone.
In his place was a man who looked absolutely feral.
His eyes quickly scanned my face, my neck, my arms, checking for injuries. When his gaze landed on where Vince's hand has touched my waist, his jaw clenched so hard I thought he might crack a tooth.
"Did he touch you?" his voice was rough. "Are you hurt?"
I shook my head. I don't trust my voice. My hands were shaking, the adrenaline crash hitting now that the threat was gone.
"Are you sure? Did he…"
"I'm fine," I managed. "You stopped him in time…"
Knox exhaled slowly. "You're not fine. You're shaking."
Before I could respond, he draped his suit jacket over my shoulders. The fabric was warm from his body, smelling of his cologne and something uniquely Knox.
The gesture was so achingly familiar.
How many times had he given me his hoodie when it rained? His shirt when I spilled food on mine?
"I'm sorry," he said, almost angry. "I should have been watching you more carefully. I knew Vince was drunk. He had a reputation with women and he'd been eyeing you all night. I should have…"
"You didn't have to defend me," the words tumbled out before I could stop them.
"Yes, I did," he said quietly. "You're my wife. No one touches you. Ever. Do you understand me?"
I looked at him and I could see war happening behind his expression. The ruthless billionaire fighting with something else. Something raw and real.
I couldn't speak. Because I'd seen this Knox version before. This version who threatened a guy who wouldn't leave me alone at a bar.
'He's still in there,' the realization hit me. 'The good man I loved is still there.'
"Knox," I touched his arm without thinking, and he went very still. "Thank you for protecting me. I appreciate it."
His eyes searched mine, and I saw confusion there.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?"
"Just a while ago, you kissed me like…" Knox stopped abruptly, obviously restraining the words trying to escape. "Then now you're thanking me like…" he trailed off again.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
Did he recognize me? Has he not forgotten about me?
A dangerous flutter of hope stirred in my chest. Dangerous because I was supposed to be his wife Elodie, not his dead ex-fiance Yuna.
But the way he was looking at me…
"Like?" I prodded gently. "Like what, Knox?"
Please say it. Please say you haven't completely forgotten who I was… what we were.
But Knox just shook his head. And I watched the vulnerable man disappear behind corporate armor once again.
"Never mind." His voice was professional. Again. "Forget it.
He stepped back, creating physical distance between us. But then he did something unexpected.
His hand found mine. It was not the possessive grip from earlier for the cameras.
He just held my hand.
"We should get back to the gala," he said. "But first, are you sure you're okay? Do you need a moment? We can leave if you're not feeling well."
The concern in his voice was genuine.
'He's not being cold to me anymore,' I realized.
And I didn't know whether to be glad or furious about it.
Glad because this was the Knox I remembered. But furious because he was showing this care to Elodie. Not me. Yuna.
"Elodie?" Knox's voice pulled me back. "You're gripping my hand pretty hard. Are you sure you're alright?"
I looked down and I realized I was indeed clutching his hand like a lifeline.
I forced myself to relax my grip.
"I'm fine. Just…" I searched for something Elodie might say. "That man. Vince. He scared me more than I want to admit."
Knox's expression darkened immediately. "He won't bother you again. I'll make sure of it."
His grip on my hand tightened protectively.
"And if anyone else makes you uncomfortable tonight… anyone at all… you tell me immediately. Understand?"
"I understand," I whispered.
We stepped back into the ballroom, and I tried to sort through the tangled mess of emotions churning in my chest.
'Should I be grateful? At least I'm not some other man's wife. I have a protector even if he doesn't know who I really am,' I thought, grasping at silver linings. 'Maybe this is a second chance for me… with him. I will make it up with him with all the time that we lost while wearing Elodie's face. And when the time is right… I'll tell him the truth.'
I am finally decided on what to do when I saw him.
Dr. Hemlock.
He was in the same gala as we are, laughing at something another man had said, drink in hand, looking perfectly comfortable in his tuxedo.
Like he hadn't just murdered me.
My vision tunneled. My breath came in short sharp gasps.
He's the reason I'm dead!
He's why I'm trapped in this body!
"Knox! There you are!"
Dr. Hemlock's voice was cheerful as he walked toward us.
Knox's hand squeezed mine gently, then he released me to shake Hemlock's hand.
"Lucian. It's good to see you." Knox's tone was warm. "I didn't know you'd be here tonight, my friend."