In the meantime, Selena was perched at her vanity, methodically brushing through her long hair with a paddle brush. Her bed was a sea of elegant dresses, and Ava was seriously helping her pick out the perfect ensemble for the evening.


    With a yful grin, Ava quipped, "Ma''am, I caught the news this morning-they said Mr. Everett splurged on a pink diamond ne recently. The diamond''s about the size of a robin''s egg and nearly blinded my old eyes! I''m guessing it''s his anniversary gift for you."


    Selena looked up, catching Ava''s reflection in the mirror. Her face stayedposed, but a faint smile yed at the edges of her lips.


    Who doesn''t want to feel treasured?


    She had initially gone for a simple look with just a bit of foundation and lipstick. But after hearing Ava''s words, she picked up her eyebrow pencil and meticulously started defining her brows.


    Ava settled on a light pink dress, insisting it would match the pink diamond ne, which symbolized true love.


    By 8 PM, Selena arrived at the hilltop restaurant. Everett had gone all out, booking the entire ce and letting Bulgarian pink roses turn the hall into a floral wondend.


    As she walked in, the staff lined up in two neat rows, each offering her a pink rose along with their good wishes.


    Selena could tell Everett had put serious thought into this. The emotional walls she''d built began to crack just a little.


    She mused that maybe there aren''t hopeless romantics-whether a man is romantic depends on how much effort he''s willing to put into it.


    Sitting by the window, she took in Newport''s breathtaking night view. She was eager to see what other surprises Everett had lined up.


    But as the minutes ticked by-nine, ten, eleven-midnight was creeping closer, and still, he hadn''t shown. Selena''s initial excitement faded to calm and finally to numbness. Even the staff, who''d been waiting to see how the night would unfold, exchanged confused looks, unsure of what was happening.


    The restaurant had been booked by Mr. Everett; he''d nned the cake and flowers, yet he was the one missing!


    What''s going on?


    Selena picked up her phone with just five minutes to midnight. Once those minutes slipped away, their wedding anniversary would be over. She wasn''t sure what she was waiting for, but havinge this far she figured she owed herself thosest five minutes.


    Whether Everett showed or didn''t, it no longer mattered.


    In the final ten seconds, a grand fireworks disy lit up the night sky, each burst casting a beautiful glow.


    Selena watched quietly, finding it all a bit ironic. No matter what Everett had nned, his absence made it all seem pointless.


    Was this a celebration for one? How ridiculous!


    Selena stood up, grabbed her coat and bag, and was ready to leave.


    Just then, Everett showed up at the door.


    He seemed to have rushed over, slightly out of breath, with a few strands of his usually neat hair out of ce. His normallyposed face showed urgency and apology.


    With long strides, he reached her in no time, hisrge hand gently sping her slender shoulder. His voice was rough with emotion.


    "Selena, I''mte, I''m sorry. There was something urgent at work..."


    Selena looked at him silently. After a pause, she softly asked, "Was it really work?"


    His deep eyes met hers directly, not a flicker of doubt. He assured herit was, and if she didn''t believe him,


    she could check with Alex. Then he continued to hold her, speaking in a soft, remorseful tone.