Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Selena's hands hung tightly clenched at her sides as she tried to take deep breaths, willing herself to calm down. She had no idea how long Everett had been standing there or how much he'd overheard, but she had been careful not to mention Mateo's name at all. As longnoveldrama

as she kept her cool and didn't give anything away, she figured she'd be in the clear.

With a soft sigh, she slowly turned to face him. Everett stood there, tall and imposing, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. The black shirt and pants he wore highlighted his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs perfectly. His dark eyes were slightly narrowed, giving him an intense look that made her feel weak in the knees.

Honestly, he seemed even more rugged and commanding than he had three years ago. Selena felt like a deer caught in the headlights, an invisible arrow aimed straight at her heart.

She dropped her gaze, avoiding his eyes, and spoke in a soft tone, "I was just talking about a neighbor's kid. Really cute. Grandpa loves kids, so we just chatted about that."

His response was a sarcastic laugh. He took a step closer, towering over her, "You didn't bother to come back when Grandpa passed away, and now you're putting on this act of being the dutiful granddaughter? Typical. Always pretending. You say you love kids, but you could coldly choose to get rid of one."

Everett glanced at the small, bare tombstone of Mateo beside him. Every time she visited, she would bring beautiful flowers for her grandfather, clean his picture, and talk to him. But their child, Mateo, she never even glanced at, let alone brought anything to honor him. And then there was Haley, whom she hadn't even given a chance to be born. Yet here she was, casually mentioning a neighbor's child with ease and joy? Did she even have a heart?

Or was it that anything connected to him was something she despised, something she wanted no part of?

Selena was taken aback by his words, her eyes widening in shock. Years ago, before she left, she had given herphone to Dr. Campbell to tell Callum that she wasn't actually pregnant-it was a desperate ploy to make Everett let go. No child meant noties between them. She had hoped he'd move on.

So how did that twist into her having heartlessly aborted their child in his mind?

Everett stared at Selena's confused expression, unable to hide the bitterness in his eyes. He gripped her shoulders tightly. "Selena, tell me how you manage to be so cold-hearted. I'm truly amazed!"

Three years ago, when he woke up

from that car crash, lying in a hospital bed battered and bruised, he felt utterly alone. Even now, that pain gnawed at him. He was fighting for his life, and she wouldn't come back. He could accept that, but finding out she supposedly aborted their child filled him with Page.

They had already lost one child, Mateo, and endured the agony of that loss. He was trying so hard to save their marriage, pinning all his hopes on Haley. He would have preferred she left with the child rather than this outcome.

Selena winced from the pain of his

grip. She quickly pieced together what likely happened. The fake pregnancy story had turned into an abortion tale, probably because Dr. Campbell changed the narrative, wanting Everett to let go of her completely...

Despite Dr. Campbell's harsh move, it did work. Everett hadn't reached out in three years, and he had other women around him now.

No wonder he had been so bitter when he saw her yesterday, deliberately stirring things up and refusing to let her be.

So much time had passed, and Selena didn't feel like explaining anymore. She could sense that this complicated man still felt possessive of her, or perhaps... still had some lingering interest in her.