Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

The man turned his face, his eyes lingering on little Mateo's adorable features. For just a brief moment, he found himself wishing that this child was his and Selena's. If only she'd come clean, admit the truth, he thought. No matter how tangled or strange the story, he was ready to let bygones be bygones.

But-

The truth was brutal.

His vision blurred, and he could barely make out the child's face. Was Selena's reluctance to return to him as the rightful Mrs. Bennett because she and Callum had a love child? It all added up. Selena had always believed that love meant having a child with the one she adored. She'd been the same with him once.

Everett stood there for what felt like ages, the chill around him growing, turning the atmosphere icy. Callum, worried Everett might lose it and hurt the child, kept a close watch as he moved to pick up Mateo. Surprisingly, there was no struggle; Everett let the child go, and Callum gathered him into his arms.

With Mateo snug in his familiar embrace, his small arms wrapped tightly around Callum's neck, Callum gently patted his back, whispering reassurances that everything was alright, that there was nothing to fear...

Selena, seeing this, rushed forward. But just as she reached out, her wrist was suddenly grabbed. She froze, as Everett swiftly stepped forward and caught her. In the blink of an eye, she was being dragged with a force she couldn't resist, pulled in front of him and steered towards the door. It was more of a half-drag, half-carry as her toes barely brushed the ground while Everett whisked her outside to his sleek black Maserati.

With a rough shove, he placed her into the passenger seat, yanked the seatbelt, and secured her tightly. Then, he moved around to the driver's side, slid in, slammed the door shut, and fired up the engine. Before Selena could even think about unbuckling, the car sped off. The sudden turn of events left everyone else in shock, and by the time Callum, cradling Mateo, rushed outside, all that remained was a cloud of exhaust as the Maserati vanished into the night.

Little Mateo was crying for his mom, flailing his tiny arms and legs, trying to wriggle free from Callum's hold to pursue her. Callum never expected Everett to be even more reckless than he was three years ago

snatching someone right in front of

everyone.

His expression darkened. He hurried to his car, handed Mateo to Carly, who was waiting nearby, and told her to take the child home safely while he went to get Selena back!

Within moments, Callum was behind the wheel, slamming the gas pedal, racing through the night.

The road blurred past the windowsnoveldrama

as the car sped along, the world

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outside retreating rapidly. The speed was dizzying Selena's heart pounded so fiercely she thought it might leap out of her chest. She fumbled to free herself from the seatbelt, relieved her hands, but for safety, she buckled up again. She had no idea where Everett was taking her, and she didn't dare to ask. As for grabbing the wheel, she didn't even entertain the thought; she wasn't ready to risk her life.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Selena realized it was Callum calling. She'd seen his car chasing them earlier, but now it was nowhere to be seen. She stole a glance at Everett, his face half-lit by the neon lights outside, casting an unsettling shadow.

She needed to stay in touch with

Callum. Sneakily, she pulled out her phone, angling her body to shield it, and while Everett focused on driving, she swiftly unlocked it, opened her messages, and prepared to share her location with Callum. But just as she was about to hit send a large hand swiftly snatched the phone away.

Looking up, she found herself staring into Everett's deep, stormy eyes. Selena couldn't stop herself from shaking all over.