I’ll protect you.

Ava parted her lips to respond, but Nicholas's voice cut through the tension first. "She is no longer your wife." Rising from his chair, he stepped toward them. "Your matters are not her concern anymore. She can go wherever she wants and meet whoever she likes. You can't stop her."

Dylan's grip on Ava tightened as he pulled her closer to him. "Our divorce is not finalized yet." His tone was icy and laced with warning. "She is still my wife. Stay away from her." His fierce eyes locked onto Nicholas.

Nicholas's gaze flickered to Dylan's hand resting possessively on Ava's waist, and a spark of anger flared in his chest. He fought to keep his composure. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he clenched them into fists, silently containing the bubbling rage within him.