Everett loungedzily against the headboard, his dark eyes locked onto the worried woman on the screen, his words dripping with sarcasm.


    "So, you can remarry, but I can''t? Come on, Selena, you know the Bet Corporation and the Bet family can go without ady of the house for a bit, but not forever."


    Then, shifting gears, he added, "It''s all set for three days from now. I''ve picked my new bride. If you''re free, feel free to join my son''s family introduction and my engagement party. I''ll get the invite to you tomorrow." He sure knew how to hit where it hurt.


    The light on Selena''s face made her look even paler.


    Everett watched her for a moment before gently nudging little Mateo''s curious head back. "It''ste, son. Say goodnight to your mom."


    Before Mateo could even say a word, Everett ended the call abruptly.


    Mateo clenched his tiny fists, seething, but deep down, he knew he was no match for this towering,manding figure.


    Thinking about it all just made him feel worse, tears threatening to spill.


    Putting his phone away, Everett was about to head to bed when he saw his son''s dejected look, stirring something paternal in him. "Wanna crash with me tonight?"


    Still mad, Mateo scooted away, turning his back.


    Everett, unfazed, just got up and left the room.


    The door closed gently behind him.


    Mateo nced up, feeling even more upset.


    Other kids had dads who were so kind. Emily''s dad hugged her and lifted her high every day. Mateo envied that so much.


    Why couldn''t his dad be like that?


    After his shower, Everett, wrapped in a loose bathrobe, paused as he noticed the small figure curled up on the big bed, cheek pressed against his pillow, already asleep.


    He couldn''t help but smile a little.


    Stubborn kid, just like his mom.


    Everett''s steps softened as he moved closer, pulling the heavy quilt over his son, then stepped out onto the balcony.


    He lit a cigarette, taking a moment


    to reflect. It wasn''t that he didn''t


    care for his son; he just thought coddling wouldn''t do him any good, especially if he wanted to grow. strong in the turbulent Bet family and eventually take the reins. Yet, he was proud of Mateo''s resilience, tougher than most kids who''d be overwhelmed by such situations.


    He admired the boy''s peaceful sleep before heading back inside once the smoke had cleared.


    Before long, Mateo''s little legs found


    their way onto Everett''s stomach.


    After several failed attempts to


    move him, the warm little body snuggled close, and Everett, whether


    out ofziness or something else, let


    him stay, closing his eyes,


    Meanwhile, Selenay awake, reying Everett''s words about selecting a new wife and nning an engagement in just three days, likely a knee-jerk reaction to the divorce papers she''d sent. There was only one woman who could be in the picture-Yasmine.


    Selena knew Yasmine''s name from the grapevine. Everett, a man known for keeping his personal life away from the office, had made Yasmine his secretary, right under his nose-a clear sign of his favoritism


    The Bet Corporation staff buzzed with stories about them, which morphed into countless versions circting in their social circles.