Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

That pendant was as familiar as an old friend-a keepsake Everett had gifted her as a thank-you after she saved him when they were younger, just before he left town. She'd always treasured it, often taking it out to think back on their time together. Then one day, it vanished without a trace. She tore her place apart looking for it, but it was just gone, leaving her heart aching for a long while.

So, to stumble upon it here, of all places, was a shock. Why was the pendant she lost now sitting in Everett's bedroom? She had misplaced it before she even married him, so there was no way she had left it here herself.

Selena couldn't help but remember what Alex had told her-that Yasmine had swooped in, taking her place to win Everett's favor. Could this pendant be the smoking gun, proof of Yasmine's deceit?

Though years had passed, the mystery still held weight for her, and she needed to know what really happened. Clutching the pendant tightly, she closed the music sheet and put it back on the shelf.

Around noon, a servant stepped in and asked politely, "Ms. Selena, Mr. Everett has sent word that he'll be a few more hours. If you're hungry, we can prepare something for you."

Even though Selena didn't feel hungry, she knew she wasn't just eating for herself anymore. She nodded gently, appreciating the offer. "Yes, please. Just remember, I'm expecting, so there are certain things I can't have."

The servant smiled warmly. "Mr. Everett has already informed us. No worries, I'll let the kitchen know right away."

With that, the servant left, closing the door softly behind them. Selena leaned back on the sofa, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the pendant as a tiny smile crept onto her face. At least Everett was trying, keeping his word. Even when he wrongly thought the child wasn't his, he treated it as if it were. She just hoped his interest wouldn't fizzle out quickly.

After lunch, sleepiness took over, and she couldn't help but doze off on the sofa. She wasn't sure how long she had been out when a deep, soothing voice nudged her awake, "Selena, wake up..."

Slowly, she opened her eyes to find Everett's handsome face close to hers, his gaze tender and his voice gentle. It struck her how clear it was when a man loved you, or when he didn't. She'd never had anyone treat her this way before.

Seeing her cheek reddened from her nap, Everett gently touched it with his large hand. "Why didn't you just sleep in the bed if you were tired?"

"It didn't seem right," she replied, her voice tinged with the awkwardness of her role as a guest today.

Everett, sensing her formality, didn't push it. Instead, he settled down beside her. "Go freshen up, and then we can pay our respects to Grandpa."noveldrama

Selena hesitated. "What about the others?"

Everett chuckled softly. "Don't worry, they're all gone. I know you weren't keen on seeing them."

The Bennett family didn't hold fond memories for Selena. After a pause, he

have to deal with them if

+ If we get back together,

'don't want to. I'll handle it all."

"I'm sorry for what you went through before," he said, his voice sincere.

In such a sprawling family, with its endless rules, and people, Selena had no standing after marrying into it. Aside from Josh's affection, she had no support from a

mother-in-law, no protection from her husband, and undoubtedly faced many hardships.

Yet, looking back, she rarely brought up her struggles to him. He was home so little, and every time he returned, Selena met him with a smile always trying to keep him happy. He never really checked in on how she was doing with the Bennett family, and even when she clashed with them, he seldom stood by her side.

A lack of love led to a lack of care. On this, he couldn't argue. A mistake is a mistake.

Even with all the sweet nothings Everett had whispered to her lately, nothing hit home quite like him finally acknowledging, "I'm sorry for the hardship you endured."

All these years later, Selena thought she had let go of the past and moved on, but maybe she hadn't.