The ballroom sparkled under low, golden chandeliers. A string quartet played something elegant and restrained while waiters in white gloves moved between clusters of political donors and industry titans.

You’d been making the rounds like a pro — gracious smile, poised posture, all the effortless elegance expected of Xavier Castillo’s wife.

But Xavier had gotten pulled aside by the Governor and a tech CEO.

So you were momentarily alone.

A moment was all it took.

“Mrs. Castillo,” a voice drawled behind you. Deep. Uninvited. Familiar.

You turned and were met with Robert Langton — heir to a multi-billion dollar family conglomerate and known for having more money than manners. His eyes dragged down your figure, lingering too long.

“You look…” he smirked, eyes raking you like a purchase. “Damn. Xavier must really be living the dream.”

You gave a tight smile. “Lovely to see you too, Robert.”

He stepped closer. Too close. “Tell me, does he even appreciate what he’s got? Or does a man like him just collect trophies to keep on display?”

Your smile dropped. “Excuse me?”

He laughed, like it was charming. “C’mon. You were the best lawyer in the city before you were the most untouchable. But everyone has a limit. Even Castillos.”

You took a breath, ready to tell him off — but you didn’t have to.

A shadow slid up behind you like a wave about to break.

Xavier.

His presence alone made the air go cold. He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to.

“Robert,” he said, voice smooth but edged like cut glass. “We were just talking about your family’s investments. Shame if something… disrupted them.”

Robert paled slightly. “Xavier— I was just saying hello to your wife—”

“My wife doesn’t need you to say anything to her,” Xavier cut in, stepping beside you now, sliding a hand around your waist — slow, possessive. “She doesn’t need to be looked at by you.”

Robert let out a nervous laugh. “Man, relax—”

“I am relaxed,” Xavier said calmly, gaze never leaving his. “But I promise you, if you even think about approaching her again, your last name won’t buy you anything in this city.”

Robert muttered something and slinked off like a dog with its tail tucked.

You exhaled. “He’s disgusting.”

Xavier’s hand lingered on your lower back as he leaned close, brushing his lips by your ear.

“He’s a footnote,” he murmured, voice low. “You’re the headline.”

You smirked, leaning into his touch. “That was hot.”

“I’m not jealous,” he said. “I’m territorial.”

You raised a brow. “You gonna prove it?”

His eyes darkened with something unspoken. “Later,” he whispered. “When we’re alone.”

But even as he said it, he guided you back toward the ballroom floor — a king reclaiming his queen, hand-in-hand — and every guest knew better than to look twice.

You weren’t just his wife.

You were his crown.