Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Selena grabbed her phone, plugged it back in to charge, and suddenly a thought hit her. She glanced up at him. "Are you really coming back with me this year?"

Every year, around this same time, she'd try everything-sweet-talking, begging, even throwing a fit but he never budged. And now, out of the blue, he was volunteering? Something didn't add up. Was he just stringing her along, planning to bail at the last minute and leave her and her grandma hanging?

Everett frowned, shooting back. "Isn't that what you've been wanting me to do?"

"I did, yeah," Selena admitted, straightforward as ever. "But not this year. We're headed for a divorce anyway. No point in Grandma seeing you again."

Everett felt a sharp pang in his chest. He pressed his lips together before blurting out, "It wasn't that I didn't want to go before. I was just busy."

Selena couldn't help but chuckle, even though she didn't want to. His excuse was paper-thin. Spinning such a weak story was worse than saying nothing at all.

Her voice was calm and steady, "That's quite the coincidence, isn't it?"

As he took in her skeptical eyes, that familiar wave of frustration welled up inside him. Talking any further would only end in more tension.

Everett turned his gaze away. "I promised, so this year, I'm definitely going with you."

Selena gave him a once-over. His handsome face was as unreadable as always, his dark eyes as intense as ever. She could never quite figure him out.

"Send the details to Derick. He'll sort it out."

And with that, he walked off briskly.

...

Every year, on the anniversary of her parents' death, Selena returned home for a week to spend time with her grandma, whose health was declining. It was an unspoken understanding that each visit could be one of the last.

Selena had always wanted to bring

Grace to the city for better care, but she refused. Grace didn't want to be a burden or give Selena's in-laws any gossip fodder. Plus, she was rooted in her countryside life.

The country house her husband left was filled with cherished memories, surrounded by familiar neighbors and friends. Grace couldn't bear to leave it behind.

So, Selena had to let go of the idea and hire a relative to keep an eye on Grace. Selena called often and visited whenever she could.

After packing her suitcase, Selena

heard her phone chime a few times. She walked over to the nightstand and picked it up. One message was her flight confirmation for a 10 AM flight the next day.

Another was a message from Derick.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Derick: [Mrs. Everett, Mr. Bennett has an international meeting tonight and won't be back home. He asked me to let you know he'll pick you up at eight in the morning to head to the airport together.]

Selena replied with a simple "okay" emoji.

Just as she was about to put her phone down, she paused, opened her email, and started typing a new message.

Even though she had the flexibility to manage her own schedule when not on assignment, it was still a good idea to inform her boss and officially request time off.

[Hi Boss, I'd like to request a seven-day leave to go back home for my parents' memorial. Don't worry. Once I'm back and recharged, I'll be ready to tackle any assignment you throw my way!] Her boss replied almost immediately: [Leave granted.]

Selena exhaled in relief. She thought her boss might be a bit annoyed since she had just returned to work and now needed a week off. But really, he was the best boss she could ask for!

...

The next morning.

Selena glanced at the antique clock on the wall. It was exactly eight o'clock. However, there was still no sign of Everett outside the door.