Yasmine couldn''t stand Joy.


    Coming from a wealthy family, Joy was the quintessential spoiled princess, always looking at her like she was nothing more than an ant, never worthy of her attention. Even when she offered to help, it was with this air of superiority. What was Joy so proud of anyway? She just happened to be born into the right family. If they both started from scratch, Yasmine was confident she could hold her own against her!


    But Yasmine kept her jealousy bottled up, never letting it show. She still needed Joy''s help, regardless of Joy''s motives, knowing that, in the end, she''d be the one to gain.


    As for Joy and Selena''s friendship, whether it was genuine or just for show didn''t concern her. In fact, if they ended up fighting, all the better. Yasmine could sit back and enjoy the benefits without lifting a finger!


    With that thought, Yasmine happily got out of the car. She was sure this return was just a stepping stone. Soon, Mr. Everett woulde and whisk her away. Her real good fortune was still ahead!


    That evening, Everett drove back to Moon Bay, which was no longer shrouded in darkness and cold but was now warmly lit up.


    Amidst the glow of countless lights, there was one that belonged to him. He walked in with long strides, taking it all in.


    In the living room,rge soft mats were spread out. Selena, in afy pink dress, was showing little Mateo how to put together a model. Mateo listened carefully, head tilted in concentration. He was a quick learner, and Selena was thrilled, showering him with kisses as rewards.


    The two were having such a st they didn''t even notice Everett''s arrival. It was Mateo who spotted him first, his smile dimming a little as he softly said, "Daddy."


    Though things had improved since the incident, Mateo hadn''tpletely warmed up to him. He dutifully called him daddy, but who knew what was going on in that little head of his?


    Selena nced up at Everett, her smile fading a touch, yet still there. "You''re back. Go change, dinner''s almost ready."


    Everett''s eyes lingered on her


    smiling face. She was gentle, her expressions just perfectly bnced He knew she was sticking to her decision to be a good mom to Mateo and a proper wife to him. But she wouldn''t let her true feelings


    show like she did with Caltum!


    An emotional storm brewed inside Everett, but he pushed it down, giving his son a smile. "Mateo, can I borrow your mom for a bit? I need her help picking out some clothes."


    en


    Mateo pouted, clearly not thrilled. But Everett hadn''t really asked. He took Selena''s hand, helping her up and leading her upstairs.


    Once they were in the master bedroom, he shut the door and gently pressed her against it. His eyes were dark and intense.


    Selena knew that bringing her up here wasn''t just about clothes, but she couldn''t figure out what was bothering him.


    He held her gaze for what felt like forever, and just when she thought she couldn''t take it anymore, he finally broke the silence with a hoarse voice. "Your eyes are red. What happened?"


    His question caught her off guard. She instinctively reached up to touch her eyes. She had cried a bit in the


    morning, but surely her eyes weren''t still red...


    Her meeting with Callum was to cut ties. She felt no guilt, but telling Everett might cause unnecessary drama, given his jealousy.


    All she wanted now was to focus on her son and live peacefully.


    Selena gently shook her head, "It''s nothing."


    Everett let out a suddenugh, his voice chilly as he replied, "Is it really nothing, or do you just not want to talk about it?"