Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

A sleek black Bentley rolled up right in front of them, its presence undeniable. The driver's side window slid down smoothly, revealing Everett's striking profile.

Mateo almost blurted out "Dad," but stopped himself just in time, clamping his mouth shut without a peep.

Everett turned his gaze toward Selena, his voice gentle as he said, "Hop in, I'll drive you all home."

Ava was taken aback by his gall. If she hadn't been holding Haley, she might've stormed over and given him a piece of her mind.

With a sharp edge, she retorted, "No thanks, we've got our own ride!"

"Why don't you give a lift to your new squeeze? Who knows what kind of bad vibes are lingering in that car after those women have been in it!"

Everett stayed calm, his eyes fixed on Selena. "The road's a mess, your driver could be ages. It's gonna get windy, and the little ones shouldn't be out in that."noveldrama

He paused, then added softly, "Neither should you."

Even though she'd passed the postpartum phase, Selena's health was still fragile and needed care.

Selena shot him a frosty look with her dark eyes, a hint of mockery in her gaze. But in the end, she didn't say no.

With a reluctant sigh, Ava got into the backseat with the kids, while Selena slid into the passenger seat.

Everett gave her a sidelong glance, instinctively leaning over to buckle her seatbelt, but hesitated and stopped.

He gave the steering wheel a light tap and reminded her, "Seatbelt."

Without a word, Selena buckled up.

As they drove off, silence wrapped around them like a thick blanket.

Traffic was a nightmare, stretching what was normally just over an hour into a nearly three-hour odyssey.

By the time they reached the villa, it was late, and both Mateo and Haley were sound asleep, nestled on either side of Ava, creating a picture of cozy warmth.

Everett caught the scene in the rearview mirror, and a fleeting tenderness crossed his eyes.

Selena got out and opened the rear door to lift Mateo. Everett reached out,

touching her shoulder gently, "Let me handle it."

But she shrugged him off with a sudden, forceful motion that even made Everett step back a couple of paces.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Selena said coolly, "Don't bother."

She scooped up her son, while Ava carried Haley inside, not looking back once. The winter night was sharp with cold.

Everett shut the car door but didn't leave. Leaning against the car, he fished out a pack of cigarettes with slightly trembling hands.

After several tries, he managed to light one, smoking like it was the only thing keeping his turmoil at bay.

He stood there for a long time, letting the cold seep into him.

Suddenly, the door swung open again.

Selena emerged, her steps quick and determined, and in a flash, she was standing right in front of him.

Without a word, she raised her hand and slapped him hard.

The force behind it was enough to make her hand sting, and Everett's ears rang from the impact.

A thin line of blood traced down from the corner of his mouth, strikingly vivid in the dark night.

When he looked up, her beautiful

eyes were filled with tears, staring at him with a fierce intensity, as

trying to pierce through to b

saul.

very

Her voice was steady, but charged with emotion, as she asked, "Everett, tell me and I'll only ask once-do

you have any hidden