Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

A few days ago, they'd just come by to check on her. Yet, the bond they shared felt like the kind that could last a lifetime. After watching the three little ones disappear through the school gates, she gently pressed the gas pedal and headed off to the hospital.

Having been through this before, Selena knew the drill all too well. Check-in, blood test, and then the wait. Just as she expected, the doctor glanced at her chart and broke into a smile.

"Congratulations, ma'am, you're pregnant."

Even though she'd been expecting it, the joy that surged through her was indescribable. Standing in the bustling hospital courtyard, she pulled out her phone and dialed Everett. She couldn't wait to share the news with him.

For the first time, she was pregnant and could proudly tell him. This was a child they both had wished for. The phone rang and rang, but no answer came. Selena frowned slightly. Was he tied up with something? No matter, he'd call her on video that evening, and she could break the news then. Letting it go for now, she set her phone down and gently stroked her still-flat belly, her heart full of happiness.

Everett was indeed swamped with work. That night, he didn't call, and soon their nightly chats stretched to every three days, then five, and eventually longer. Pregnancy had Selena nodding off more often, and she found herself asleep when Everett's calls came in, only noticing them when she woke up.

Their text messages were brief, as he often vanished mid-conversation. Time slipped by, and another month passed without Selena finding the right moment to tell Everett about their little Haley on the way and his impending fatherhood again.

She felt a bit miffed; pregnancy

made her emotions more sensitive, and she longed for her husband's presence But she understood significance of Bennett

Corporation's project in France

an

international collaboration with the French government. Succèss would open up a massive market for the company in Southeast Asia. noveldrama

Whenever they managed to video chat, she could see the weariness in his eyes, and she'd shelve her complaints. After all, Everett was working tirelessly to secure a future for their son and their unborn Haley.

Winter had settled in, and Christmas

was just around the corner. Selena had her second prenatal check-up, and the baby was doing great. She thought about Everett spending the holiday's alone in France and how lonely it might be. Christmas, after alb was like a New Year abroad.

She decided to surprise him by visiting, wanting to share the festive season together and, most importantly, tell him the good news about the pregnancy in person. Double the joy, double the celebration. Hoping to catch Everett off guard, she didn't give him a heads-up. On Christmas Eve, with a carefully chosen gift in hand, she boarded a flight to France. Once she landed, she took a cab straight to Everett's hotel.

She knew he had a dinner event that night and would be back late. She called to remind him, then settled in the hotel lobby, waiting for him. As she nodded off, snow began to gently fall outside.

Selena perked up at the sight. Newport never saw snow. Even though she had seen it before, her Southern roots made the spectacle of snow always a thrill. She moved to the big window to take it all in.

Through the flurry of snowflakes,

she spotted a sleek black limo

pulling up to the hotel entrance. The doormanhurried over to open the door. Everett, looking sharp in his suit, stepped out with his long strides. His slicked-back hair and classic three-piece suit made him look even more dashing.

Selena's lips curled into a gentle smile as she prepared to go outside. But then she saw someone else getting out of the car.