Her eyes were soft, the warm yellow glow from the bedside lamp casting a gentle light on her features, giving her an inexplicable aura of maternal warmth. The thought struck Everett as odd.

Selena was still drowning in the grief of losing a child and was firm in not wanting another. How could she possibly give off such a motherly vibe at a time like this? Yet, her gaze reminded him of when she was pregnant with Mateo, looking at her round belly each night with that same loving look. Everett furrowed his brow, a hint of doubt flickering in his eyes as he stepped in and softly asked, "What are you looking at?"

His sudden voice startled Selena, her heart skipping a beat. Seeing the man she despised, her hands shook involuntarily, and the photo slipped from her grasp, landing face down on the floor.

Everett, even more perplexed, bent down to pick it up. Selena's face went pale. Even though the child wasn't visible in the photo, the date in the bottom right corner-taken a month after her supposed "miscarriage"-would be enough for Everett, sharp as he was, to see through the ruse she and Dr. Campbell had set up.

If he found out Mateo was still alive, he wouldn't rest, and she would surely lose her child! No way she could let him see it!

Selena quickly threw off the covers and got out of bed, not even bothering with shoes, and stepped on the photo just as Everett's fingers were about to reach it.

Before Everett could say anything, she was already confronting him with a chilly demeanor. "Mr. Everett, bold of you to show up here at this hour. Aren't you worried your sweetheart might get upset, blowing up your phone with calls?" Her tone dripped with sarcasm. Everett paused, straightening up and fixing his gaze on Selena's face. She looked up at him, her expression icy, her neck and shoulders tense as if the man before her was an adversary, not her husband.

For a moment, the tender woman under the lamp, evoking a serene moment, seemed like a figment of his imagination. Everett's expression darkened slightly, but he replied calmly, "Selena, I don't want to fight with you."

He had come back after hearing from Secretary Song that her mood had finally steadied, thinking it might be a good chance to see her and maybe have a proper conversation.

After his chat with Jaime, he was deeply moved. He'd always taken Selena for granted, never really pondering his feelings for her. Suddenly, he wanted to dive into those feelings-was his obsession with Selena just about her being Mrs. Bennett, or...had he actually fallen for her?

Despite rehearsing his words on the drive home, facing her, his lips moved but no words came out. Selena's mind was entirely on the photo, oblivious to Everett's inner struggle. She just wanted him gone.

Mateo was her last hope, the

strongest pillar in her heart, and no one could take him away! Clenching her hands tightly, she met his dark gaze with a mocking smile, "Oh, right Mr. Everett is back, only interested in one thing!"

With that, she boldly began to unbutton her nightgown. "Mr. Everett, if you're going to do it, then hurry up. I want to sleep after!"

Everett's eyes narrowed as he

watched her undress without

flinching, her clothes dropping to the

floor, her body trembling slightly, but

she stood firm, her neck and spine

straight. Indeed, Selena knew exactly how to push his buttons.

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