Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

There was a brief moment of silence.

Selena was at a loss for words to describe how she felt right now.

In Everett's eyes, every move she'd made since her awakening seemed off-kilter. Only when she was meekly in love with him, did she fit into his version of 'normal,' right? Tears sprang to her eyes as she mourned the reckless devotion she'd once given him without a second thought.

She lowered her lashes, hiding the tears threatening to spill, and said in a casual tone, "So, you'd agree to anything I say?"Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Everett lounged back in his seat, calmly adjusting his sleeves. "Try me."

Selena sniffled quietly. Well, since he was practically asking for it, it was time to go big or go home.

She didn't hesitate to say, "Give me half your fortune, and I'll tell you whatever you want to hear."

If the money was right, she could serve up an Oscar-worthy performance!

"...In your dreams."

His reaction was exactly what she'd expected. Selena let out a derisive laugh. "Men and their promises, always full of hot air."

"But..." He paused, fiddling with his phone before fishing out hers from his pocket and tossing it back to her.

Puzzled, Selena grabbed her phone, her eyes going wide when she saw the new bank alert. Everett had transferred a significant amount of money to her. "What's this supposed to mean?"

One minute, he was telling her to dream on; the next, he was sending money. Was he having a split personality crisis or something?

Everett leaned back, elegantly crossing his legs, his dark eyes flicking her way without offering an explanation. "Don't want it? Give it back, then!" Instinctively, Selena hugged the phone to her chest, shaking her head adamantly. "Once it's in my pocket, it's mine. Don't think you can take it back."

He chuckled at her enthusiasm and nodded toward the bowl of plain oatmeal. "Eat your oatmeal."

Selena had a light bulb moment. He was switching tactics, trying to win her over with cash.

In the blink of an eye, her face lit up with a smile, her resistance slipping away. "Alright, I'll eat."

There was no point in resisting money. That bowl of oatmeal, now tinged with the taste of money, was simply irresistible.

As she dutifully ate, Everett felt

some of the tightness in his chest

ease, though the thought of he

eating just for the cash left him a bit uneasy.

He watched her, snorting. "A bit of money makes you this happy, but you still want a divorce? Why?"

Being Mrs. Bennett meant living in the lap of luxury, and he'd never put limits on her spending.

Selena, savoring her five-figure oatmeal, replied, "It's different. The money learn myself versus money handed out by a husband-l'take the former."

At least she wouldn't be labeled as a lazy gold-digger if things went south.

Everett frowned, clearly not liking her answer, and was about to speak when his phone rang. He answered, and just like that, the anger melted from his face like snow under the sun, replaced by a warm smile.

Selena paused, spoon halfway to her mouth.

Who else could flip his mood from stormy to sunny in a heartbeat if not his one true love, Margot?

Everett got up, his long strides taking him quickly out of the room, his voice fading into the distance.

It took a moment for Selena to turn her head and notice the empty chair.

It was still the same old story. His heart was with someone else even when he was here. Good thing she hadn't let herself waver just then. She'd barely had a few bites of oatmeal but suddenly felt full, her appetite gone.