At a prestigious university, a married professor was caught in a passionate embrace with his graduate studentte at night on the streets. It''s a scandal that''s got everyone talking and really tarnishes the reputation of educators!


    Selena''s eyes were glued to the face of the university professor. Even though she''d only crossed paths with him a few times, she recognized him instantly-it was Joy''s husband, the professor!


    She never expected Joy to be in the same boat as she once was: a cheating husband while still married. That kind of heartache was all too familiar to Selena.


    After gently convincing Mateo to step out, she grabbed a coat and reached for her phone to call Joy.


    The call connected after a few rings, and Joy''s voice came through the line, "Selena."


    Selena hesitated, unsure of how to dive into the conversation, but Joy was ahead of her, "Did you catch the news?"


    Selena drew a soft breath, "Joy, are you doing okay?"


    To her surprise, Joy''s tone was surprisingly carefree, "I''m all good, Selena. Actually... we divorced a year ago. We kept it under wraps because of family ties."


    That was a curveball Selena hadn''t seening.


    Joy went on, "We barely saw each other after getting hitched, and we just didn''t click. He''s into poetry and philosophy, and you know me, that''s not my thing."


    "I''m all about my career. He couldn''t handle business talk, and with the family nagging about kids, I wasn''t about to get tied down. It was an arranged thing, no real sparks, so we split on good terms. If he''s found someone who suits him better now, I''m genuinely happy for him."


    "You''ve got to be with someone you truly love if you want it tost. So really, don''t worry about me, I''m good."


    Selena knew Joy well enough to trust her words. If Joy said she was fine, she meant it, and that set Selena''s mind at ease.


    It had always puzzled her when Joy decided to marry an academic. Joy was all about fun and ambition, so a serious man seemed out of character. She admired strength and sess.


    Reflecting on this, Everett''s image suddenly popped into Selena''s mind. She couldn''t help but chuckle at her own thoughts.


    She must be losing it.


    Joy''s voice cut through her daydream, pulling her back.


    "Selena, but what about you and Everett... how''s that going?"


    Selena remembered Everett''s heart-wrenching words from the night before.


    The pain had dulled into numbness, and she spoke softly, "It''s over for us." Joy paused before reassuring, "Whatever you decide, I''ve got your back."


    When Selena headed downstairs, she found ine in the living room, ying with Haley. Haley was all smiles and giggles around him.


    Even Mateo, who''d been shy at first, was nowfortably calling him Uncle ine.


    Ava came over and remarked with a sigh, "See, ma''am, having a man around makes a difference. It''s just a shame Mr. ine''s your uncle by blood, otherwise, he''d be a great catch."


    Selenaughed.


    Ava, aside from managing the kids and cheerfully cursing Everett daily, had taken up matchmaking asa new hobby, determined to find


    Selena her next great love.


    Selena settled into the sofa, and Mateo quickly left ine to nestle into his mom''s


    She looked over at ine, "When did you get here?"