Wren strode forward and snatched the phone from Kaden Xavier’s hand, her face filled with anger.

"Who is Finn Wynter?"

Kaden asked coldly, fighting back his own anger.

Wren looked down at the friend request. She felt a flicker of surprise, but it was quickly overshadowed by annoyance.

She reached for her phone. "You don’t need to know."

"I don’t need to know?"

Kaden closed the distance by a step. "Wren, do you have any respect for me as your husband at all?"

He forced her to take a step back, her own back pressing against the doorframe.

She tilted her face up to look at him, her eyes filled with disappointment. "Kaden Xavier, do you really think every man in the world is after me? In your eyes, is that the kind of woman I am? Someone who just goes around hitting on other men?"

"I don’t—"

"You do!" Wren cut him off, her voice laced with suppressed rage. "Kaden Xavier, don’t you think you’re being ridiculous? You’re out there, carrying on with Seraphina Sutton, yet you demand I keep my distance from every other man. Is that your double standard?"

Kaden’s expression instantly darkened. "Wren, don’t change the subject."

Wren raised her voice. "Kaden Xavier, I have no obligation to report to you."

As she spoke, she shoved Kaden Xavier away, snatched her phone back from his hand, and accepted Finn Wynter’s friend request right in front of him.

Kaden watched her, seething with rage. "Wren!"

"I’m tired. I don’t want to argue with you." Wren turned and walked into the room. "Please get out. I need to rest."

She moved to close the door, but Kaden blocked it with his hand. "Wren, don’t forget you’re still Mrs. Xavier. Your every move reflects on the Xavier family’s honor."

Wren looked at him and suddenly laughed, her smile dripping with sarcasm. "The Xavier family’s honor? Kaden Xavier, you’re only remembering the family’s honor now? When you and Seraphina Sutton were appearing everywhere as a couple, did you think about the Xavier family’s honor then?"

Without another look at him, she slammed the door shut.

Kaden stood outside, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Wren leaned against the door, only letting out a sigh of relief when she heard Kaden’s footsteps retreating outside.

She looked at her phone screen, at the accepted friend request and the first message that had come from Finn Wynter.

"Wren, this is Finn Wynter, your cousin. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to contact you. When are you free? We should have a meal together sometime."

Wren hesitated for a moment before replying, "Hi, Cousin. I’m free for the next few days. What time is convenient for you?"

The reply came back quickly. "How about tomorrow afternoon? I heard there’s a nice café downtown with a very quiet atmosphere."

"Okay. Send me the address."

Finn Wynter quickly sent a location pin.

Wren glanced at the address. It wasn’t far from View Gardens, only about a twenty-minute drive.

She replied with a quick "Okay," then put down her phone and walked to the window.

Outside, Kaden Xavier’s car was just pulling away from View Gardens.

Wren took a deep breath, then turned and walked back to her bed.

The next afternoon, Wren arrived right on time at the café where she was to meet Finn Wynter.

It was a very stylish place with vintage decor. The air was filled with the aroma of coffee and the sound of soft jazz.

Wren pushed the door open and immediately spotted Finn Wynter sitting by the window.

He was dressed in a casual suit today, no tie, which made him seem more approachable.

"Wren." Finn Wynter smiled and waved when he saw her.

Wren walked over and sat down across from him. "Have you been waiting long?"

"Not at all, I just arrived myself." Finn Wynter pushed a menu toward her. "Take a look and see what you’d like. The lattes here are excellent."

Wren ordered a latte, and Finn Wynter got an Americano.

"My mother told me a lot about you yesterday," Finn Wynter said, looking at her. "She said you’re brilliant—an exceptional doctor."

Wren felt a little embarrassed. "My aunt is too kind. I’m just a regular doctor."

"You’ve been through so much these past few years. Uncle and Aunt... they passed so suddenly." Finn Wynter’s tone grew somber. "I’m sorry. If I had come back sooner, maybe I could have helped."

Wren shook her head. "It’s not your fault. It was an accident. No one could have expected it."

As she spoke, she felt her eyes begin to burn.

Even after five years, she still couldn’t speak of her parents’ passing with a calm heart.

Seeing her sorrowful expression, Finn Wynter said softly, "Wren, you’re not alone anymore. You have my mother, and you have me. We’re your family now. If you ever need anything, you have to let us know."

Wren nodded, tears nearly spilling from her eyes. She quickly lifted her coffee cup and took a sip, trying to conceal her emotions.

"Right, my mother mentioned you’re married?" Finn Wynter asked. "To Kaden Xavier of the Xavier Group?"

Wren’s hand paused for a moment before she nodded. "Yes."

"Does he treat you well?" Finn Wynter’s voice was filled with concern. "I’d heard of him before. He’s resourceful and bold—a very impressive man, to be sure."

There was no denying that. Wren couldn’t argue; Kaden was not only a competent pilot but also a competent boss.

"We..." Wren chose her words carefully. "Our marriage... it’s complicated."

She didn’t say any more, but Finn Wynter understood.

He saw the flicker of sadness in Wren’s eyes and began to form his own suspicions.

"Wren, if you’re unhappy, don’t force yourself to endure it," Finn Wynter said earnestly. "You’re still young, you’re talented, and you have a whole future ahead of you. Don’t let an unhappy marriage trap you. We’ll support whatever you decide."

A warmth spread through Wren’s chest. Just as she was about to speak, the café door was suddenly thrown open, and a shrill voice cut through the air.

"Wren! I knew it was you!"

Wren looked up to see Lana Xavier storming toward her.

Lana Xavier marched up to Wren’s table, pointed a finger in her face, and snarled, "Wren, have you no shame? You were seducing Allan yesterday, and now you’re on a date with another man today! Do you have any respect for my brother at all?"

The other patrons in the café turned to look, whispering amongst themselves. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Wren’s expression hardened. "Lana Xavier, what are you talking about?"

"Me?" Lana Xavier sneered. "Weren’t you holding hands with Allan at the mall yesterday? And now you’re having a secret rendezvous with this man in a café today! Wren, can you not go a single day without a man?"

Her words grew increasingly vicious, and Finn Wynter’s expression turned cold.

He stood up, positioning himself in front of Wren. "Miss, I suggest you watch your mouth."

"And who are you?" Lana Xavier sized Finn Wynter up, a flicker of jealousy in her eyes. "Wren, I have to hand it to you. The men you find just get more and more handsome. But let me tell you, no matter how many men you seduce, it won’t change the fact that you’re the woman my brother threw away!"

Finn Wynter narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing within them.