He was runningte because he had to do his hospital rounds, and to make matters worse, the rain had turned the roads into a gridlock.


    Everett blew out a thick cloud of smoke, his dark, mysterious eyes flickering with a tangle of emotions under the swirling haze. In a heartbeat, they disappeared, leaving only an unfathomable darkness behind. "No," he dered, each word measured and resolute. He hadn''t fallen for Selena and wasn''t nning to either.


    Even Jaime, a seasoned yer in the game of love, couldn''t tell if Everett was being honest or just stubborn.


    Callum''s hand tightened on the extravagant golden door handle before he let go, deciding not to enter. Instead, he turned away and left.


    ...


    Jaime''s phone buzzed with a ding, and he nced at the screen, a smirk crossing his lips. "Everett, Callum says he''s got an early surgery tomorrow and needs to crash early, so he won''t swing by." Everett gave a slight nod, his gaze shifting to the window, where the rain was pounding down harder, and lightning and thunder were putting on a show outside.


    "Don''t sweat it. If he''s not here for you, I''ve got your back!" Jaime leaned in with a yful grin, his hands over his heart. "I always put you first, dude."


    "Get outta here." "You got it."


    ...


    Selena, still young and with a resilient spirit, was bouncing back from her illness with energy to spare. Her speedy recovery was partly thanks to Everett, who had arranged for a nurse to look after her. She knew there was a motive behind his gesture, but she didn''t see any reason to turn it down. After all, being sick was no fun, and she wasn''t about to make things harder on herself.


    Cole''s wedding day came as expected. Cole came from an old-money family in Newport, and while they weren''t as wealthy as the Bets or Campbells, their political clout made them a force to be reckoned with. The marriage between Cole, and the daughter of the Adams family was the talk of the town. The wedding gifts were so dazzling they could blind anyone.


    The guest list read like a who''s who of high society, with most of the elite gathering for the asion. Cole''s family had gone all out, renting a grand three-story yacht for the wedding. The banquet hall was so beautifully decorated it felt like they had brought the night sky on board.


    As Selena walked in on Everett''s arm, all eyes naturally turned to them. But Selena knew they weren''t really looking at her; they were drawn to Everett. He was always the center of attention, no matter the asion.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    She could see the awe and longing in the eyes of the socialites as they gazed at him, hardly noticing her. In the past, this would have made her jealous, eager to hide Everett from their view. But she had to y the part of the gentle, virtuous wife, afraid of not fitting Everett''s ideal.


    Now, however...


    Selena shed a subtle smile and then, without any hesitation, gave Everett a sharp pinch on the waist.


    Everett let out a quiet hiss and frowned at her. "Why''d you pinch me?"


    "I didn''t," Selena lied smoothly.


    ""You did!"


    Everett red at her guilty hand, "Selena, do you think I''m clueless?"


    Did she think he wouldn''t feel that?


    Selena shrugged. "If you say so, then I guess I did."


    "Selena..."


    Just then, someone approached to chat with Everett, and Selena seized the moment to whisper, "Heads up, Mr. Bet. Let''s not forget we''re the picture-perfect couple here!" Seeing her act so cheeky, Everett was momentarily speechless, grinding his teeth in frustration.


    After making the rounds, Selena''s


    face felt stiff from smiling. Toplement her long dress, her stylist had chosen towering heels Not only were they tiring to walk in, but they were also new and rubbed her feet raw.


    In the past, she would have pushed through the difort. But now she wasn''t willing to put herself through that, so she said, feigning an apologetic tone, "Everett, Dneed to hit the restroom."


    Everett could tell she wasn''t the least bit sorry and was clearly looking for a break. A flicker of annoyance crossed his eyes, but he waved her off, "Go on."


    Selena quickly let go of his arm and, with a polite smile, gracefully slipped away from the crowd.