Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

She spoke, her voice a bit rough, "Mateo, you need to decide if you want to stay with me or... your dad."

Hearing this, Mateo realized his parents were splitting up again. He had hoped that with his dad back, they could all stay together-him, his sister, and their parents.

His head dropped, feeling a wave of sadness wash over him. After a long silence, his voice, laced with the threat of tears, finally broke through.

"Mom, I want to stay with Dad."

Even though he said it, Selena knew deep down, it wasn't what he truly wanted. Mateo had always been a sensitive and thoughtful kid. He understood his sister was still little, and if he didn't go with their dad, she would have to. As the older brother, he felt he needed to protect her.

Selena's heart ached; sometimes she wished he didn't have to grow up so fast. She gently ruffled his hair and said, "Let him stay here one more night, and you can pick him up tomorrow."

This was directed at Everett.

Seeing her reasonable request, Everett wasn't about to be difficult and agreed without fuss.

Selena hesitated for a moment before asking, "And you? Where are you staying tonight?"

Everett's dark eyes narrowed slightly. He could sense she wanted him to stay, but he didn't see the point.

"I'll grab a hotel."

But it seemed he'd misread the situation because Selena nodded with no hint of stopping him. She just said, "Alright, I'll bring our son to you tomorrow."

The earlier question seemed almost offhand, just a polite formality. Everett gave her another look.

Then, without another word, he headed for the door.

Rumble—

Just as he reached it, a loud clap of thunder echoed, followed by a flash of lightning, and suddenly, the sky turned dark as rain poured down fiercely.

Hail started pelting down, banging loudly against the car.

Everett stopped in his tracks.

Seeing this, Mateo dashed over, wrapping himself around his dad's leg. "Dad, don't go. It's dangerous out there. You can stay here tonight. We've got plenty of rooms

As if that wasn't convincing enough, he added a line he'd picked up somewhere, "Are you scared of Mom? She won't eat you!"

Everett glanced up at Selena, his eyes twinkling with mockery and amusement, clearly thinking she'd coached their son.

Selena's cheeks flushed, half embarrassed, half annoyed. She hadn't. She didn't. She hadn't taught him that!

Haley, somehow, had crawled over too, clutching onto her dad's other leg. "Daddy, Daddy!"

Her words were still a jumble, but she managed to say "Daddy."

That's when Everett really looked at the little girl by his feet. So tiny, soft, and chubby.

He wasn't much for kids; if Mateo hadn't been a boy, he wouldn't have bothered with custody. The Bennett Corporation heir needed his

personal guidance.

Yet, something unexpected happened. The moment he met Haley's eyes, it was

like a jolt to his heart, stopping him in his tracks.

He bent down and scooped up the little girl, studying her closely. She looked so much like her mom.

She fit right into his idea of beauty.

Everett lightly tapped his daughter's nose and looked over at Selena.

"Alright, I'll stay tonight."noveldrama