Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

After breakfast, Everett drove Selena and her two little ones back to Moon Bay. Ava was already waiting at the door. As soon as the car pulled up, she flung open the backseat door, and the toddlers tumbled out, racing to embrace her. Mateo, in particular, clung to Ava, exclaiming how much he'd missed her, and Ava's heart melted on the spot.

She wrapped an arm around Haley and held Mateo's hand, guiding them into the house. "I've whipped up all your favorites," she said, grinning, "so you can eat to your heart's content." Watching this, Selena couldn't help but smile. When it came to doting on the kids, Ava was in a league of her own. She'd practically raised them, especially Mateo. Back when they were abroad, Ava treated him like her own grandchild.

Selena unbuckled her seatbelt and gave Everett a warm smile. "Thanks for the ride back. I'll head inside now." Just as she was about to step out, Everett gently caught her wrist.

"Hold on," he said.

Selena turned around, meeting Everett's intense, captivating gaze, which made her heart skip a beat. She instinctively tightened her grip on her purse but kept her cool, offering a calm smile. "Is something up?"

Everett didn't answer right away. Instead, he smiled, unfastened his seatbelt, and stepped out of the car. He headed to the trunk, opened it, and pulled out a neatly wrapped package. Selena followed him out, curious.

He handed the gift to her, and she raised an eyebrow. "A painting?"

"Yep." Everett's eyes softened as he looked at her. "You mentioned liking the painting in my study, didn't you?"

Selena took the package, a bit taken aback. "I only glanced at it, and you're giving it to me?"

Anything worthy of his study had to be priceless or a masterpiece with significant collectible value. And he was just handing it over to her?

Everett chuckled softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Anything you want, I'll give you."

Selena's heart raced. Although she wasn't a young girl anymore, and was already a mom of two, she felt like a teenager again, experiencing the flutter of first love. The feeling was just like when they first met in the countryside. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned away, not wanting Everett to see. "Is this how you usually woo women?"

She remembered how he'd treated Margot, Yasmine, and others offering houses, cars, opportunities. The thought cooled her fluttering heart.

Everett noticed her change in demeanor and guessed her thoughts, teasingly asking, "Jealous?"

Selena's face turned serious. "Not at all." She turned to leave, but Everett gently pulled her back, wrapping his arms around her from behind. His breath_tickled her neck, and though she was still slightly annoyed, she struggled less.

"Okay, I won't tease you anymore," he murmured in her ear. "You're nothing like them. All those things were Alex's doing. But for you... every gift, I picked myself."

"Only you are worth my effort."

In the past, he found such words unbearably sappy, believing actions spoke louder. But now he knew a man who doesn't speak his heart will never win over his woman. This trick was Jaime's suggestion.

Selena's heart pounded wildly. She had to admit, sometimes these gestures meant more than words or actions. Feeling overwhelmed, she pulled away. "I'm going inside."noveldrama

This time, Everett let her go, watching her with a gentle smile as she retreated into the house.