Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

"I'm sorry, I love you?"

"You've got a tongue like a whip, always firing off words like a machine gun when you're being sarcastic. But now? You can't find a single word?"

"Who cares about your 'sorry' and 'I love you'? Who asked you to make decisions for me? You think hiding your illness and playing the martyr is some grand gesture? You're just wallowing in self-pity. Did you ever stop to ask what I wanted?"

If it weren't for this infuriating man being laid up in bed, sick as a dog, Selena would have really let him have it.

Is there anyone else in this world as maddening as him?

Selena called him a jerk, a total idiot, a scoundrel. She ran through every insult in her book.

But the man in bed didn't react like he usually did, with a scowl and a quick move to shut her up with a kiss.

"Get up if you dare! Aren't you always the one pushing me around? I'm right here, Everett. Are you chickening out? Being a coward?"

"You never asked if I wanted what you were giving. You think you're so noble, don't you? In my eyes, you're the biggest fool and jerk around!"

She released Everett's hand, stood up, and leaned in close, her lips nearly brushing his ear as she spoke each word with purpose.

"Everett, you have to survive, come back to see me and the kids, or I swear, if you don't make it, I'll remarry the next day and let your child call someone else Daddy. I'll make sure you wear a green hat in your grave!"

"I mean it!"

Whether Everett heard her or not, the heart monitor next to him, which had been tracing steady lines, suddenly blipped upward.

Selena glanced at it and smiled softly.

She didn't say anything more, gave Everett one last, lingering look, then turned to leave.

The night had dimmed, and dawn was breaking.

Ava arrived at the hospital with the two kids, peering at Everett through the glass window.

Ava's eyes were red-rimmed. She hadn't expected the man to go to such lengths for his wife. She vowed never to criticize him again.

Mateo's eyes were swimming with tears. He didn't want his dad to worry, so he bit his lip to keep from sobbing.

Even little Haley, usually so full of joy, seemed to sense the gravity of the moment, waving her tiny arms and crying loudly.

Selena pushed open Dr. Campbell's office door and spoke to him.

"Dr. Campbell, I've decided."

The surgery could only happen in Germany, where all the equipment was. Even if it succeeded, Everett would need a long recovery and observation period.

Only when fully recovered could he return.

Otherwise, if it failed, he might never come back.

Three days later, Everett was carefully loaded onto a plane bound for Germany.

Selena held Mateo's hand at the airport fence, watching the plane fade into the distance.

Mateo craned his neck, unable to pull his eyes away even as the plane vanished from view.

"Mom, will Dad come back?"

Selena squeezed her son's hand. "He will. We'll wait for him."

Spring turned to summer, autumn to winter.

At the Irwin Estate.

Haley could walk now, though still bit wobbly. She grinned as she toddled

towards Selena, who

g on the sofa. Conte

She wanted to leap into her mother's arms but stumbled just a step away, falling to the floor.

Selena quickly scooped her up, asking if she was hurt, but Haley's attention was on the TV.

Her tiny finger pointed at the man on the screen, her voice soft and sweet, "Daddy, Daddy..."

Daddy?

Selena's head snapped up.

The man on TV, with broadnoveldrama

shoulders, a narrow waist, and long

legs, wore a black suit that

velo

showcased his tall, handsome figure

perfectly.

So striking that one couldn't look away.

Who else could it be but Everett?

He was back...

After more than a year, he had finally returned.