Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

The words Everett was spouting were just shy of outright accusing her of being unfaithful. But seriously, in her condition, with a fever knocking her out, was she supposed to count on her husband, who seemed like he couldn't care less?

Selena found it almost comedic. She attempted a smile, but it didn't even come close. She didn't have the strength or the mental bandwidth to spar with him, so she just pretended she hadn't heard a thing.

Right now, Selena was starved. She knew he wouldn't lift a finger to help, so she reached for her phone to order some food. But this simple act was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. Everett snatched the phone right out of her hand, his voice dropping on her like a ton of ice-cold bricks. "Selena, I've been here all night taking care of you, and this is the thanks I get?"

He had dropped everything, canceled the rest of his business trip, and rushed back when Callum told him she was home alone with a raging fever and not responding to knocks or calls for the door code.

Everett hadn't slept a wink since getting back, watching over her through the night. And this is how she repaid him?

His accusations were like a bucket of cold water, and Selena's mood went from zero to boiling. She looked up at him, her face pale but her disappointment and anger shining through. "What do you want from me? Should I be singing your praises? Did I ask you to look after me? Did I tell you to rush back? No, I didn't. You could've just ignored me like you usually do."

Over the last three years, she'd been sick plenty of times. Being ill made her vulnerable, and that vulnerability made her yearn for company, especially from him. She would always call him first, hoping he'd come back to be with her.

But what did he do? Either claimed he was too busy and sent a doctor in his place, or he'd show up only to be whisked away by a call. The worst was when he wouldn't even pick up and let Derick brush her off.

After a while, she stopped relying on him altogether when she got sick. She'd either tough it out alone or have Ava or Joy take her to the hospital. It was just a few days of discomfort, after all.

Thinking about the past made her eyes sting with unshed tears. It was tough holding back the hurt and frustration when she felt so defenseless.

"Everett, what's with this sudden act of playing the devoted husband?" Her dark eyes locked onto his, each word a pointed question.

Her voice was still weak, not quite recovered from her illness, yet each word she uttered hit hard, leaving Everett at a loss for words.

His gaze flickered briefly with something softer, but he quickly covered it up with his usual cool demeanor. "You've lied so many times just to get me to come back home. How am I supposed to know what's real?"

Oh.

That one stung because it was true. For three years, she'd bent over backward, trying to win his heart, competing with Margot for his

attention. She'd played the pity card

more than once.

But a couple of times was all it took for him to brand her a liar. Meanwhile, Margot could spin as many tales as she wanted, and he'd gladly fall for them.

That was the difference between love and indifference.

Selena responded quietly, "Well, this time, I don't need you."

And she wouldn't in the future.

Even though Everett was used to her sharp tongue, he still found himself fuming Yet, he remembered how she'd eried in her sleep the night before and swallowed his anger.

He clenched his fists, his voice cold. "Selena, don't be so ungrateful!"