Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Everett gently wrapped Selena in her bathrobe and tucked her snugly under the covers. He got out of bed, slipped into his clothes, and stepped out onto the balcony.

The night had quietly faded, leaving a soft glow on the horizon.

The sea breeze billowed through his white shirt, which he had lazily buttoned halfway, revealing a patchwork of scratches across his chest. Some were still fresh and bleeding a testament to the night's wild passions.

Everett lit a cigarette, leaning casually against the railing as the wind whisked away the smoke. He didn't really smoke it, just let it burn out. Once he stubbed it out, his tangled thoughts began to settle.

Turning back inside, he returned to the cabin.

He pulled Selena into his arms and closed his eyes.

Selena slept deeply, waking only when the sun was already high in the sky. Sitting up was a struggle; her body felt as though it had been taken apart and put back together wrong, and her waist and legs were so sore she could hardly straighten them. Yet she felt surprisingly fresh, that man must have taken care of her.

Memories of the previous night's chaos flickered through her mind, stirring a sense of unease and frustration. This was exactly what she hadn't wanted.

She thought she had everything figured out, but she hadn't accounted for Everett's relentless fixation on her. Even after three years and with Margot out of the picture, he still wouldn't let her go.

She couldn't grasp what was going on in Everett's mind, but she was done trying to figure it out.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and in walked Everett, looking as handsome as ever. Despite the previous night's indulgence, he showed no signs of weariness. Instead, he seemed to carry a glow of complete satisfaction, and even the cold, dangerous aura he usually had was gone.

"You're up. Come on, have something to eat."

He approached with long strides.

Selena looked up at him, her face tense, her voice rough, "Everett, you've gotten what you wanted. When are you going to let me go home?"

She had glanced out the window earlier and saw they were still out at sea. She'd been gone so long, Dr.

Campbell and her uncle must benet.

worried sick, and little Mateo-she worried about what this might be doing to him...

At that thought, her gaze turned icy with anger and resentment.

Everett reached out, wanting to gently touch her cheek, but Selena turned away, her eyes wary. "What do you want now?"

She paused, a thought striking her,

and a bitter laugh escaped her, "Don't tell me, Mr. Everett, you're planning to take me to some deserted island and lock me

Vel

again like you did three years ago?"

His hand lingered in mid-air, his fingers slightly stiff.

Her sarcasm hit him with a dull ache.

After a moment, he spoke softly, "I whipped up some of your favorite dishes. Let's eat. Aren't you hungry?"

After last night, and sleeping through the morning well into the afternoon, she must be starving.

Selena was indeed exhausted and hungry. But if staying here meant being stuck with him indefinitely, she'd rather starve than touch his food.

She repeated her question, "When will you let me go back? My son will cry if he doesn't see me."

Everett's expression turned chilly.

He hated how her first thought was always about leaving him.

His lips curled into a cold, mocking smile, "I thought you'd be worriednoveldrama

about Callum missing you, but it

seems your relationship isn't all that, is it?"