ine was sprawledfortably on the couch, looking asid-back as ever. "I noticed you were napping this afternoon, so I didn''t want to wake you up," he said with a casual air. Then, shifting the conversation, he asked, "Heard you were in tears again yesterday?"


    Selena, feeling no need to put on a brave face in front of him, nodded softly. "For thest time," she replied.


    ine didn''t judge her. Matters of the heart rarely made sense. She and Everett had been intertwined for so long; it wasn''t something that could be easily cut off overnight.


    Just like him.


    He loathed Alexa with every fiber of his being. When he had her father and brother tossed into the ocean, it would have made sense to cast her into the darkness too. Yet, he ended up marrying her, keeping her close. Even he couldn''t make sense of his actions.


    As he absentmindedly poked Haley''s chubby cheek, he asked casually, "Have you thought about leaving?"


    Ava brought over a steaming drink.


    Selena took her time sipping it, letting its warmth seep into her before sharing her decision. "Uncle, I don''t want to go to France. My family''s here. My uncle''s getting on in years and isn''t well. Ricky''s in the thick of his career and might not be able to care for him. If anything happens, I''d be too far away to help."


    "Ava''s family is here too. She''s been by my side for years, barely seeing her own kids and grandkids. I have to think about her too."


    "And honestly, I''d rather Mateo and Haley grow up here, get their education here. If they want to study abroadter, that should be their choice."


    ine listened, his brow slightly knitted, but he let her speak her mind.


    Selena wasn''t quite done, though. She took another sip, and unhurriedly added, "I want to move to Northtown."


    ine got it immediately.


    Northtown and Newport were practically worlds apart within the country. And importantly, Northtown was the Irwin family''s ancestralnd. It was like a homing of sorts.


    "Alright, Northtown it is. I''ve bought back the old Irwin family estate. We''ll stay there."


    "We?"


    Selena was caught off guard. "Uncle, you''reing with me? What about France?"


    "Of course, I''ming with you," ine said without a moment''s doubt. "You''re the only family I''ve got left in this world."


    The Irwin family had been shattered long ago. He had fought tooth and nail to survive, all to find her and keep her safe.


    "If you''reing with me, what about your wife? Will she join us?"


    ine let out a dryugh. "She doesn''t deserve that."


    Selena''s smile faded. "Uncle, I don''t know what went down between you


    and your wife, but I hope you can:


    go of the hatred. It''s only hurting you."


    Hatred can lead to all sorts of mistakes, and she feared he might one day regret them deeply.


    ine, as if not hearing her, gently asked, "When were you thinking of leaving?" Selena knew it would take him time toe around, and she nned to slowly persuade him. "We''ll head out once the kids are on break."


    "That''s just a few days away. Alright, I''ll start getting everything ready."


    ...


    A few dayster.


    At Bet Corporation, inside the conference room.


    Everett sat at the head of the table, looking noticeably thinner, his cheeks slightly hollow, making his features seem even more striking. Even without uttering a word, his icy gaze felt like the Grim Reaper had entered the room.


    The tension in the conference room was thick enough to cut with a knife.


    Alex had just gotten off the phone, a knot of worry forming in her stomach. She didn''t want to face Everett right now, but avoiding it


    might spell a quicker end for hermet Mustering up her courage, shene


    stepped through the door and approached him, her voice trembling, "Mr. Everett, I''ve got news... Your wife, she left Newport


    today with the kids."


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!