The puppy was well-behaved, nuzzling against her before finding a comfortable spot and settling in.

Wren Wynter looked down at it, her gaze soft. "From now on, your name is Lucky."

’Lucky.’

She hoped the puppy would be lucky, and she hoped... she could be a little luckier herself.

Wren Wynter gently stroked the puppy’s head. "Lucky, you have a home now."

The two continued on their way, the atmosphere between them soothed by the puppy’s presence.

Wren Wynter held Lucky, with Kaden Xavier walking by her side. The streetlights stretched their shadows out long behind them.

Just as they were about to reach the entrance to their apartment complex, Kaden Xavier’s phone rang.

He took it out and saw the caller ID: Seraphina Sutton.

Wren Wynter glimpsed the name on the screen. The smile on her lips slowly faded, and a flicker of scorn passed through her eyes.

Kaden Xavier answered the phone. Seraphina Sutton’s tearful voice came from the other end. "Kaden... my stomach hurts so much... Can you please come over? I-I’m scared to be alone..."

Kaden Xavier’s brows drew together. "Didn’t the doctor tell you to get some rest? I’ll have the family doctor come over."

"I don’t want a doctor... Kaden, please, I’m begging you. It really hurts..." Seraphina Sutton’s voice grew weaker, punctuated by sobs.

The hand Kaden Xavier was holding his phone with tightened. He glanced at Wren Wynter.

Wren Wynter had already turned away, her back to him. She was focused on playing with the puppy in her arms, as if she wasn’t listening to his call at all.

"Wait there." Kaden Xavier finally said those two words and hung up.

He walked over to Wren Wynter, his tone rushed. "Something’s come up with Seraphina. I have to go. You head home first, I’ll be back as soon as I’ve handled it."

Wren Wynter looked up, her expression unreadable. "Okay."

Kaden Xavier looked like he wanted to say something, but his phone rang again. He glanced at the screen, then turned and walked away at a brisk pace.

Wren Wynter stood frozen, watching his retreating back. Lucky, in her arms, seemed to sense her emotions and let out a soft whimper.

She gently stroked the puppy’s head and continued walking home.

It wasn’t a long walk, but the street was deserted at this hour, and the lights were dim.

Wren Wynter held the puppy tighter and quickened her pace.

Just as she neared the entrance to the complex, three staggering, drunken men suddenly lurched out from the side, blocking her path.

"Well now, what’s a little miss like you doing all alone?" one of them, a man with blond hair that the glossary calls Blondie, slurred, his breath reeking of alcohol as he leaned in. "What’s that you’re holding? Let your big brother have a look."

Wren Wynter’s heart seized. She hugged Lucky tighter and backed away. "Get out of my way."

"Don’t be so cold," another man cackled, moving to circle her. "It’s not safe for a girl to be out alone this late. Why don’t we walk you home?"

Wren Wynter turned to run, but the third man blocked her escape.

Her heart pounded like a drum. She instinctively fumbled for her phone, her trembling fingers dialing Kaden Xavier.

RING... RING... RING...

It rang and rang, but no one picked up.

She tried again. Still no answer.

On the third try, the call was immediately rejected.

Wren Wynter’s heart sank, and a cold tide of despair washed over her.

"Aww, little miss, calling for help?" Blondie sneered, reaching for her phone. "Want me to make the call for you?"

Clutching the puppy, Wren Wynter backed away until her back hit a cold wall. There was nowhere left to run.

Just then, a pair of headlights swept over them, growing brighter. The glaring light made the men squint.

A car screeched to a halt by the curb, and a door was flung open.

Felix Vance jumped out of the car, pulled Wren Wynter behind him, and roared at the drunkards, "What the hell do you think you’re doing! Scram!"

He was tall and imposing in his pilot’s uniform, radiating an air of authority.

"Who the hell are you? Mind your own damn business!" one of the drunkards snarled, pulling out a small knife and brandishing it at Felix Vance.

Felix Vance scoffed and landed a swift kick, enraging the men.

"Watch out!" Wren Wynter cried out, her pupils constricting in fear.

The drunk with the knife lunged, aiming to stab Felix Vance. Reacting in a split second, Felix instinctively threw up his arm to block the blow.

SLASH—

The blade sliced through his arm, and blood welled up instantly.

"Felix Vance!" Wren Wynter’s face went pale. She screamed at the men, "I’ve already called the police! They’re on their way!"

The sight of blood sobered the drunks up a little.

Hearing her mention the police, they realized things had gone too far, and they took off running, shouting curses over their shoulders.

Felix Vance started to give chase, but Wren Wynter stopped him. "Don’t go after them, you’re hurt!"

Felix Vance turned back. Seeing Wren Wynter’s pale face and red-rimmed eyes, his voice instantly softened. "Dr. Wynter, are you all right? This is just a scratch, it’s nothing."

Wren Wynter shook her head, her lips trembling. Lucky was shivering in her arms.

"Thank you..."

"Let me take you home," Felix Vance said. He reached out to take the puppy from her, then hesitated, afraid of being too forward, and let his hand hover in mid-air.

Wren Wynter looked at him and suddenly asked, "What are you doing here?"

Felix Vance scratched his head, a wry smile on his face. "I... I was heading to the nearby convenience store for a drink. Didn’t expect to run into you."

As he spoke, a shadow passed over his eyes. "Cole... why wasn’t he with you?"

Wren Wynter didn’t answer, merely patting the puppy in her arms.

Seeing her like this, Felix Vance felt an indescribable emotion well up inside him.

He took a deep breath and opened the passenger door.

"Get in. I’ll drive you to your door."

This time, Wren Wynter didn’t refuse.

Once in the car, Wren Wynter saw the blood on his arm and frowned. "That wound will get infected if you don’t treat it."

She rummaged through her purse and pulled out a small, portable first-aid kit—

It was a professional habit from her work as a flight doctor; she always carried basic medical supplies and gauze.

Felix Vance watched in surprise as she took out iodine swabs and bandages, a complicated warmth spreading through his chest.

"Give me your arm," Wren Wynter said.

Felix Vance obediently held out his arm.

With her head bowed, Wren Wynter carefully cleaned the blood from around the wound with a cotton swab. Her movements were practiced and gentle.

In the dim light, her long eyelashes cast soft shadows on her cheeks, and the curve of her profile was graceful.

"Where’s Kaden Xavier?" Felix Vance couldn’t help but ask. "How could he let you walk home alone this late at night?"

’If I hadn’t shown up, who knows what would have happened to her.’

Wren Wynter’s hands paused for a moment. Her voice was calm. "He had something to do."

"What could possibly be more important than your safety?" Felix Vance’s voice was laced with anger. "Making you walk home alone in the middle of the night, he—"

"He went to see Seraphina Sutton," Wren Wynter said, her voice flat.

Felix Vance froze, his brow furrowing deeply. "Her again. What the hell is Cole thinking? It’s obvious that woman is bad news, always playing the weak, pitiful victim—"

"Captain Vance." Wren Wynter looked up and gave him a small smile. "Thank you for helping me, and thank you for what you said. But this is between Kaden Xavier and me."

She finished bandaging Felix Vance’s wound and put away her first-aid kit. "Keep the wound dry for the next few days."

Felix Vance looked at her calm profile, and the anger inside him suddenly evaporated, replaced by an indescribable frustration and... a pang of heartache for her.

He knew it wasn’t his place to say any more, but he couldn’t help himself.