Dear Ex Wife Please take me back

ATHENA

"No man in there should touch you, Athena," Alex mutters darkly, his arm resting along the backseat, fingers casually brushing my shoulder like a silent threat.

I turn my head slowly to face him, forcing a smile that doesn't reach my eyes. "Will you tell them I'm your wife?"

His jaw works, teeth grinding so hard I can see the tension in his neck.

"No," he finally spits out, his voice hard enough to cut through glass.

I let out a soft, bitter laugh and look away, watching the city lights blur past the window.

"Then you shouldn't care," I say quietly but firmly, knowing it'll get a rise out of him.

Before I can blink, Alex shifts closer, his hand shooting out to grip my thigh under the thin fabric of my dress, fingers digging in just enough to make me gasp.

"What did you just say to me?," he growls, and I swallow.

Not daring to repeat the words with how he's looking at me.

Ryan stiffens in the driver's seat, eyes darting to the mirror before quickly looking away.

Alex leans in until his lips graze my ear, his hand sliding higher up my thigh. "That dress should be for my eyes only," he whispers, his voice a dark promise. "But since we were late, I'll let you wear it."

I almost laugh at that. But feeling like I've pushed him too far for one night, I bite my bottom lip instead.

His fingers trail higher until they find lace, and his breath hitches slightly, but when he speaks again, his voice is calm and dangerous.

"If you let a man touch you tonight, for a greeting or a fucking dance," he growls, nipping my earlobe before dragging his mouth along my neck, "I'll destroy him. And it will be your fault."

I swallow hard, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break, but my pulse is racing, my skin burning where his fingers slip under the lace edge of my panties.

His thumb brushes deliberately slow, circling, as he murmurs darkly, "You love testing me, don't you, Athena?"

I grit my teeth, trying not to react, but my body betrays me with a slight shiver.

He smiles against my skin.

"I hope it won't come to that."

The car slows as we near the gala entrance, and Ryan glances nervously at us through the mirror, but Alex doesn't move, doesn't stop.

"Remember," he whispers, sliding one finger inside me with a wicked smirk,

"one wrong move, and I make good on every promise I've made."

And then, just as the car stops and Ryan steps out to open the door, Alex pulls away like nothing happened, fixing his cuffs, calm and composed.

Leaving me breathless and shaking.

My legs are unstable as I try to compose myself when Leah pops out from no where and takes Alex's arm. I see him react and say something to her that makes her keep her hands to herself.

I remain behind as I watch them approach the main entrance and I must admit, I'm a little hurt.

Cameras flash as reporters surround them making me sigh in defeat.

"Mrs. King-" Ryan begins but I give him a look that makes him swallow whatever he wanted to say.

"There she is!" I hear Noah behind me and I smile.

"I'll take that as a sign you can now remember me." He flashes me his play boy grins.

Noah is good looking and can make any panties drop. I don't know the age difference between him and Alex but I know he's more laid back than Alex and I don't mind being in his company.

"I also remembered how you saved me that night." I give him a sad smile. "I'd be dead if you-"

"Not tonight, Athena. Let's not sulk. Tell you what, You can buy me an expensive piece in tonight's auction as a thank you."

"With what money?" I laugh as we walk in, careful not to touch him even when he offers me his arm.

I'm so paranoid I have a feeling that the bastard will live up to his word and I've put Noah in too much trouble already.

"You'll figure it out." He winks as he holds the door open and I shake my head.

We barely make it past the main hall when my eyes land on them.

Alex is sitting at a table, his usual cold and unreadable expression in place, but it's Leah that makes my stomach twist.

She's leaning into him, close enough

that one might think she can't breathe without his air. Her hand is resting dangerously near his thigh, her head tilted toward him like she's whispering secrets.

Even though she's not technically touching him, the space between them is too small to ignore. Too intimate.

I swallow hard and look away, but it's too late, that image is already burned into my mind.

Noah, sensing my shift, gently places his hand at the small of my back, leaning closer to my ear.

"We can sit somewhere else, Athena. You don't have to do this." His voice is soft, but there's steel under it, like he's ready to shield me if I say the word.

I nod quickly, about to agree, when a staff member approaches us, clipboard in hand and a polite smile that feels too forced.

"Mr. King, Miss Dawson, your seats are ready. Please, this way."

I tense at the direction his pointing, but Noah just gives a tight smile.

"Actually—" Noah interrupts, but the man shakes his head with a pointed gesture.noveldrama

"VIP section, sir. You're both seated at the main table."

My heart sinks.

I don't have to ask where that is.

As we follow him through the maze of tables, my eyes flick toward the VIP area, and sure enough, I see Alex sitting there like a king surveying his kingdom, Leah still practically glued to his side.

When we stop right at that table, I hesitate.

"If you want, we can sit elsewhere," Noah whispers, close enough that only I can

hear him.

And God, I want to say yes. I want to turn on my heel and walk away from this whole night.

But when I glance toward Alex, his eyes are already on me.

Hard. Cold. Dark.

A silent threat, clear as day which says in bold letters, "Try me, and see what happens."

My pulse quickens, but I force my chin up, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"It's okay,”I say, voice quieter than I'd like but steady enough.

Noah gives me a long look, his jaw ticking, but he nods and pulls out a chair for

me like a gentleman.

As I sit down, I can feel Alex's gaze burning a hole into my skin.

Leah shifts in her seat, giving me a smile,

"Hello, Athena. It's good to see you again." Her face is plastic and the smile looks painted on. I can see how hard her eyes are and if it was up to her, she'd rather I watch the whole event from the window.

"Hello." I respond with my own forced smile as I smooth my dress and keep my

eyes forward, pretending like my heart isn't racing and my hands aren't trembling under the table.

But when Alex leans back casually, spreading his arm behind Leah's chair, his gaze still locked on mine, I know this night is going to be hell.