Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Disillusionment had become second nature to her; at this point, she wasn't even surprised-it was almost like she saw it coming. Selena took a sip of her coffee, grabbed her phone, and ordered a ride.

The car showed up in no time. She got up, slipped on her coat, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and wheeled her suitcase out the door.

Ava, who was busy dusting the furniture nearby, quickly came over to help with the luggage. But when they got outside, Ava noticed it was a taxi. She couldn't help but ask, "Ma'am, are you heading out on your own? Didn't Mr. Bennett ask you to wait for him?" Year after year, Selena made the solo trip back home for the annual remembrance. It tugged at Ava's heartstrings, especially this year when he had finally agreed to join her-wasn't this the silver lining they had been hoping for?

Selena, about to slide into the car, paused at Ava's question, turned slightly, and replied with a shrug. "He's not coming."

Trusting anything that jerk said was a waste of breath. She had never waited for him before.

Selena's voice was casual, as if she were commenting on the nice weather, yet Ava felt a pang of sadness. She had witnessed how he had neglected their marriage and given Selena the cold shoulder. Even if Ava wanted to defend Mr. Bennett, she couldn't find the words. Swallowing her urge to say more, Ava simply reminded Selena to stay safe on her journey.

Selena nodded, climbed into the car, and shut the door without looking back.

At the airport, she went through check-in, security, and boarding like clockwork. Whether Everett showed up or not didn't seem to faze her.

It wasn't until the flight attendant announced the plane's imminent departure that Selena glanced up from her magazine at the empty seat beside her. Derick had reserved seats together; the one next to her was meant for Everett.

She picked up her phone, saw the empty message inbox, and, with a wry smile, powered it down.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

The plane took off, climbing high above the clouds.

Two hours later, Selena wheeled her suitcase out of the airport. The place was remote, so she hopped on a bus for another hour to reach the small town.

Grace was eagerly waiting at the door. The moment she saw her granddaughter, she needed no help and rushed over in just a few steps.

"Selena, my dear, I've missed you so much."

Selena beamed, spreading her arms wide to embrace her grandmother. "Grandma, I've missed you too!"

But just a moment later, her grandma let go and looked behind her expectantly, only to find no one else. "Selena, where's your husband? Wasn't he coming with you?" Ah, Grandma, always keeping it real...

Selena replied, a bit exasperated, "Grandma, who are you more excited to see, me or your grandson-in-law?"

"It's you, of course, but I want to

meet your husband too," Grace said, standing her ground. "You've been married so long, and I haven't even met him. Folks in the village are teasing me, questioning if I'm just making your marriage up. They say the man you married must not be worth showing off, and that's why you won't bring him around. It's so annoying..."

By the end, Grace sounded a bit hurt.

Life in the countryside was simple, and when the women gathered, the talk often turned to family gossip, comparing who married well, who lived in bigger houses, and how their sons-in-law fared.

Naturally, Grace couldn't resist boasting, especially knowing her granddaughter had married into Newport's most prominent family, becoming the missus. She couldn't help but spread the word.

Initially, everyone was impressed,

waiting eagerly for Selena to bring Everett around so they could see a true gentleman from a wealthy family. But as one year turned into two, then three, without any sign of him, the rumors started to bubble up.