Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

The slap echoed through the room with all the strength Selena could muster, and even Everett, usually the picture of composure, found his face turned aside, a clear handprint left on his fair skin.

Everett stood there, stunned for a moment, before turning back to look at Selena. She was the one who'd hit him, yet her tears fell the hardest, her eyes blurred, and her voice broken with sobs.noveldrama

"It's all because of you, Mateo's in danger. From the day he was born, every disaster has been your doing. If he wasn't your son, none of this would've happened!" Selena was in a full-blown emotional breakdown, letting the most hurtful words spill out.

Everett's eyes turned red with emotion. He'd always been proud and arrogant, and throughout his marriage with Selena, he'd often been careless. He had hurt his wife and child, causing them heartache and danger time and again with his actions. If he could go back, he'd give his younger, clueless self a serious wake- up call.

Ignoring Selena's struggles, Everett pulled her into a firm embrace. His voice was raw, “Selena, I'm sorry, everything's my fault. You can hit me, yell at me, whatever you need, but please, stop crying. You've got to take care of yourself and the baby."

"I promise, no matter what, I'll bring Mateo back to you safely, okay?" Selena leaned against his shoulder, her tears trailing down his neck, soaking into his heart.

Eventually, exhausted from crying, she began to calm down. Everett gently lifted her and carried her upstairs.

In the bedroom, he laid Selena down, carefully wiped her tears with a tissue, and tucked her in, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Get some rest."

Everett stood, left the room, and wiped his tears away with his hand before pulling out his phone to make a call. As soon as the line connected, he instructed, "Besides the school's surveillance, check all the spots Selena visited recently."

Alex: "You mean..."

Everett: "This was planned out; someone had to be following her moves. It didn't just happen out of the blue."

Alex was impressed, "Got it, I'll get right on it."

Selena had a nightmare. In it, a face just like hers was holding Mateo, violently throwing him off a cliff. She jolted awake, drenched in sweat, gasping for air.

Outside, the first light of dawn was breaking. She looked around, dazed, realizing she was in her own room With shaky hands, she reached for the water glass on the nightstand, but it slipped, crashing to the floor in pieces. She stared at the mess, a deep unease creeping in, as if something terrible was looming.

Struggling to her feet, she made her way to the door. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Ava approaching.

She hurriedly asked, "Ava, any news?"

Ava was surprised to see her up so early, "Ma'am, why not rest a bit more?"

She'd heard Selena's

heart-wrenching cries the night

and hadn't dared to

eyes, keeping vigil all night

Selena shook her head, "I'm okay. Any news?"

Ava sighed, "Not yet... Mr. Everett's got footage from lots of places, but going

through it all takes time..."