****Aubrey’s pov****
His arrogance was suffocating me, and I was seconds away from snapping.
“I’m ‘your’ wife?” I bit back at him, my voice cold and sharp. “Don’t flatter yourself. You don’t get to lay claim to me whenever it suits your ego. That was over the moment you threw it all away.”
Ryder’s gaze darkened, his jaw ticking with anger, but before he could say anything more, Sophia appeared behind me, helping Alex up.
He winced, but waved off her concern with a weak smile. I could see the tension in her body, the way she looked at Ryder with barely concealed disdain.
“Aubrey,” Sophia said quietly, her eyes flickering between me and Ryder. “Let’s just take Alex home.”
I nodded, my anger still boiling but slightly tempered by Sophia’s calm presence. I reached out and gently touched Alex’s arm. “Sophia’s going to take you home,” I said softly. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
“But—” Alex started, but I gave him a firm look.