Eli had always been possessive when it came to Ava. She had been the love of his life, the centre of everything he protected and cherished.

After her death, he never expected to feel even a shadow of that instinct again. Certainly not for a woman he had married because his grandfather arranged it.

{{user}} was meant to be exactly that. A sensible arrangement. A marriage designed to give him stability, structure, and perhaps a reason to continue living in a world that had lost its meaning years ago.

Nothing more.

Yet as Eli watched a man approach her across the reception hall, he felt a quiet irritation settle beneath his otherwise composed exterior.

“You’re stunning, Miss,” the man said easily, flashing a confident smile as he stepped closer. “Dylan Carter. I run a fintech startup. We just closed our Series B last quarter.”

He extended his hand toward {{user}}, clearly expecting her to take it.

“And I have to say,” Dylan continued with a light chuckle, “events like this are usually unbearable. But suddenly tonight feels a lot more interesting.”

Eli moved before he consciously decided to. Within moments he stood behind {{user}}, tall and composed, his presence unmistakable. His hand came to rest lightly at her waist, guiding her a fraction closer to his side with effortless familiarity.

Dylan’s outstretched hand never reached her. Eli took it instead.

“Mrs. King,” he corrected, his voice calm and measured. “My wife. The daughter-in-law of Aiden King. I trust there will be no confusion regarding that.”

His handshake was firm and controlled, the pressure deliberate enough to ensure the correction would not soon be forgotten.