Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

If it weren't for Mateo, she might not have had the resolve to just up and leave like this, but now, she really had no choice. Thankfully, even though her uncle was a bit unreliable, her brother was someone she could count on. After carefully going over a few things with him, she got up to leave.

She had plans to meet Joy at a café, but halfway there, she got a text from Everett asking her to come home. Selena wasn't thrilled about it. She'd only been out for a few hours, and yet he was already watching her like a hawk. It was clear that even though she had some freedom, Everett still kept tabs on her every move. Thankfully, she kept her cool and avoided going to see Dr. Campbell.

After thinking it over, she decided to play along and not butt heads with that infuriating man. She told Joy they'd have to catch up another day, turned around, and headed back towards Moon Bay.

By the time she arrived, the sky was already darkening, and the villa was shrouded in an unsettling dimness because none of the lights were on. Selena swapped her shoes at the door and walked in slowly. Ava was nowhere in sight, and after softly calling out a few times with no answer, she found it strange where was everybody?

Once she hit the living room, she flipped on all the lights, and the sparkling chandelier lit up the vast space. It was only then she noticed Everett's tall frame standing on the small ground-floor patio, gazing into the night. One hand was in his pocket, the other hung down naturally, holding a half-burned cigarette between his fingers.

Selena hadn't expected him back so soon and was slightly surprised. "You're back already? Why didn't you turn on the lights?" she asked.

He turned, his dark eyes meeting hers, but he didn't say a word. Instead, he walked toward her with his long strides. "Where'd you go?" he asked lazily, his voice cool and casual.

Selena replied smoothly, "I went to see Uncle and Ricky. We dropped off the gifts we picked out together, and they loved them." She made sure to emphasize "we," knowing Everett liked that sort of thing.

Everett's dark eyes lingered on her, sensing her gentle demeanor and attempts to appease him. He smirked in a way that was hard to read. "Oh, really?"

Selena didn't miss a beat, "Of course." Her acting had improved leaps and bounds lately, allowing her to speak with calm assurance.

Seeing her like this made Everett's

smile deepen, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He walked past her to the sofa, sat down, elegantly

crossed his long legs, and took an etContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

deep drag from his cigarette. As the smoke curled from his lips, Selena couldn't shake the feeling of an unsettling chill on his otherwise handsome face. Something was off.

She didn't want to ask directly, so she quickly thought of her next

move. With a smile, she approached him, leaned in slightly, took the

vel

cigarette from his hand, and stubbed it out in the ashtray. "Everett, smoking's bad for you. Maybe cut back a bit. Is something bothering you? Or is work just too much right now?" she gently inquired.

Everett stared at her for a few seconds before answering her question with one of his own, "You care about me?"

Selena flashed a warm smile, not hesitating, "Of course, I do."

His lips tugged into a sly grin, and he suddenly reached out, pulling Selena closer until she was sitting on his lap. Face-to-face, their bodies were closely entwined. They were so near that their breaths mingled, each seeing their reflection in the other's eyes.

With a light touch, his fingers lifted her chin, and he looked straight into her eyes, speaking slowly and deliberately. "Selena, is there anything you'd like to tell me?"