Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Alexa shot Selena a quick look, her lips twitching like she wanted to say something but ultimately kept quiet. But Selena got the message and jumped in, “Blaine's surgery went well, he's out of danger now, so try not to worry."

Alexa's response was icy, "I'm not worried. It's just a shame he's still alive."noveldrama

Selena didn't bother to call her out on the mixed signals, "I can't let you go just yet, but you can stay comfortably in the villa until Blaine gets back. As for your childhood friend, I'll do my best to get him to the hospital and save his life." Alexa's gaze finally softened, her voice cracking, "Thank you."

By the time Selena got back to the hotel, the sun was already shining bright. She took a shower and sprawled on the bed. She'd missed the window of sleepiness, but was still worn out and just wanted to lie there.

Mateo came bounding in, clambered onto the bed, and nestled into her arms. He seemed to sense how tired she was, his little hands smoothing her furrowed brow, comforting her like a tiny grown-up.

Selena showered him with kisses, "Sweetheart, with you here, all my tiredness just melts away."

Mateo hugged her back, looking as content as can be. They both drifted off until an abrupt ringing from the phone jolted Selena awake. She hadn't slept nearly enough and was feeling groggy and grumpy after being on the move for 24 hours.

Seeing Everett's name on the caller ID only made her mood worse. She smirked and hung up. The phone rang again instantly, like he wasn't going to quit until she answered.

Selena took a deep breath, carefully moved Mateo aside so he could keep sleeping, got out of bed, threw on a robe, and headed to the suite's living room. Standing by the big window, staring out at the afternoon sky she hit the answer button.

Everett's voice came through, deep and annoyed, each word dripping with

frustration. "Selena, what's going on? We agreed on a week, and then you up and sneak our son and Ava away!"

Selena couldn't help but find it a bit funny. She shot back, "And what about you? Since you've decided

get engaged to Joy, why can't I.

leave? Everett, I gave you time

think not time to play both sides."

"Do you think I'm stupid, easy to fool, or just someone you can mess around

with?"

She hadn't planned on saying much, but the whole Blaine and Alexa fiasco had put her in a bad mood, and she couldn't hold it back anymore.

"Everett, I wouldn't be this mad if it was any other woman, but Joy is different. As my close friend, she's always had her eyes on my husband, with ng sense of boundaries. I even suspect she was behind the whole Yasmine incident, trying to fuin me!"

"Being with her doesn't just make me mad; it makes me sick! I'm absolutely disgusted!"

Ever since Everett came back, Selena had kept her cool, always composed and distant, driving him crazy. He never expected to see this raw, emotional side of her.

On the other end, there was nothing but silence.

Selena didn't say another word, her hand clutching the phone tightly, waiting for Everett to respond. Her boundaries were laid out clearly for him, and she'd said everything she needed to say.