It was obvious someone was trying to stir up trouble.


    Selena''s eyebrows knitted together for a moment, but her voice stayed calm. "If you''ve got something to say, just spit it out. No need for the cryptic nonsense."


    Her uncle''s surgery had gone well today, and she was in high spirits. She really didn''t want him messing that up.


    Even Everett had to give her credit for staying soposed.


    "Aren''t you aware of what you''ve done?"


    Aware of what exactly?


    Then it hit her. On her way back to the hospital room, a nurse had stopped her to hand over her phone, mentioning it was from a guy who had asked her to pass it along.


    She hadn''t thought much of it at the time. But now, it seemed like Everett must''ve seen her with Dr. Campbell when he delivered the phone.


    She paused, then met his dark eyes, ready to exin, "Today, Dr. Campbell and I..."


    He cut her off sharply.


    His gaze was cold, "I don''t want to hear about your deep bond with Callum!"


    Despite his words, his eyes stayed locked on her, silently pleading for her to argue back, to exin, to show she cared about him too.


    He''d used every ounce of self-control not to storm over and punch Callum.


    Selena''s exnation died on her lips.


    Honestly, she wasn''t all that eager to exin. She''d always aimed to keep the peace.


    If he wasn''t interested, that just made things easier for her.


    "If there''s nothing else, I''ve got to head downstairs and be with my son."


    For a brief moment, Everett''s eyes hardened, but it vanished quickly, reced by a mocking smile.


    He stepped back, letting her go.


    His look was chillingly indifferent.


    Selena acted like she didn''t notice or maybe she just didn''t care. She turned around, opened the door, and walked out.


    No hesitation.


    The door closed with a soft thud.


    The distance between them, still unresolved, had only grown wider.


    At dinner, Everett didn''te down, so Selena and her son ate alone.


    Ava nced upstairs, debating whether to call him down or not.


    Selena fed her son some green beans, not even bothering to look up, "He''s a big boy. If he''s hungry, he''lle down." Little Mateo chimed in, "Yeah, when I''m hungry, I find food myself. I don''t need Mom to tell me! Dad''s being so dramatic!" Ava thought about it and nodded.


    You can''t treat that man too well.


    The moment you do, he thinks he''s king of the world.


    After dinner, Selena took her son for a walk in the backyard garden.


    She still loved Moon Bay. Every nt and tree was her handiwork, and even after three years away, nothing had changed.


    As they walked, she introduced her son to the different flowers.


    Everett stood on the second-floor


    balcony, a cigarette between his fingers, with a few butts scattered around. He took another drag, trying to calm his frustration.


    His dark eyes stayed fixed on Selena''s beautiful face.


    She crouched in front of her son, guiding his little hand to touch the flowers Little Mateo''s eyes went


    wide with curiosity, and she smiled, her eyes crinkling with joy.


    She wasn''t the same girl head over heels in love as she was three years ago; she was now a mature, gentle, and smart mom. Yet, his chest felt even tighter.


    His ce in her heart was already shaky, everyone seemed toe before him, and now there was a new number one-an unmovable position. He couldn''t help but feel a bit sour.


    He was okay with their son taking first ce, but the second spot? That had to be his, not just anybody''s!