The phone had been ringing for what felt like ages, and Everett was just about out of patience when it was finally picked up. He was all about getting things done quickly, so this dy had him a bit miffed, his brow creasing as he spoke in a cool tone.


    "Selena, let''s meet."


    He used her name, but there wasn''t a hint of warmth in it. Selena held onto the phone, her fingers tightening a bit. "Alright."


    "I''ll be in Northtown tomorrow."


    With that, he hung up, leaving the dial tone buzzing in her ear long after the call ended. Selena finally set the phone down and wandered over to the window.


    Her thoughts drifted back to the chat she''d had with Dr. Campbell that morning. His exnation had been brief: side effects. Before Everett went under the knife, they''d been warned. It was a cutting-edge procedure, one that held promise but came with many unknowns.


    Everett had pulled through, but the strange changes in him were beyond what current medicine could exin. Dr. Campbell mentioned that, aside from his emotions turning cold and distant, everything else seemed normal, which was a smallfort in an otherwise tough situation.


    Selena lowered her gaze, staring at her hands. It was her decision to give the go- ahead for Everett''s heart transnt, her signature on the consent form. Even with the oue leaving her feeling hollow, she didn''t regret it. Without the surgery, Everett wouldn''t have made it. At least now, he was alive... even if he didn''t love her anymore.


    Despite her determination, Selena tossed and turned all night. By the crack of dawn, she was wide awake. After a quick freshen-up, she sat at her vanity, slowly brushing her hair, and applied makeup to her slightly tired face. Then, she headed to her closet and picked out a blush pink dress. It was in line with Everett''s preferences.


    As Selena left her bedroom, Ava wasing out of the children''s room, holding one child and guiding another by the hand. Ava had clearly put some effort into dressing up the kids, too.


    Mateo was dressed in a tiny suit with suspenders, a small bow tie at his neck, and his hair slicked back, looking like a miniature version of Everett, it wasn''t so noticeable when he was younger, but the older he got, the more he resembled his father.


    Haley wore a puffy dress, her dark, lush hair tied up with a little bow clip, her big eyes sparkling, and her skin so fair and delicate it could melt anyone''s heart. The little girl took more after Selena, a budding beauty from the start.


    Selena approached and kissed her daughter''s cheek. "Excited to see Daddy?"


    Haley pped her small hands, grinning with her big toothy smile, "Daddy, Daddy!"


    Selena found herself caught up in her daughter''s joy. Everett had once been so eager for this daughter; maybe their two children could reignite some of his feelings.


    By afternoon, a sleek ck Bugatti glided into the Irwin Estate. Selena stood at the door with her two children, waiting for him.


    Everett stepped out of the car with long strides as Mateo ran up first, hugging his father''s leg and shouting, "Daddy, you''re back!"


    The sudden embrace sparked a flicker of resistance in Everett''s eyes; he wasn''t big on such close contact. But when the little one looked up, kis eyes mét a face so much like his own, and something shifted slightly in his heart. Everett picked the boy up by the back of his cor, setting him aside with a brief nod to acknowledge him.