Everett crouched down, his cool hand gently brushing against her delicate cheek. Maybe it was the pregnancy or perhaps because she''d been taking good care of herself, eating well and following her medical regimen. Her skin was now incredibly soft and smooth, almost like a freshly peeled egg-impossible to resist touching.


    He savored the sensation so much that his voice softened, "It all depends on whether you''re going to be good or not."


    Selena caught his drift, biting down hard on her lower lip, tears of frustration welling up in her eyes. If she kept pushing for a divorce or anything like that, he''d turn this ce into avish prison, and she''d be stuck as his caged canary.


    He wanted to clip her wings, keeping her tethered to him, unable to escape!


    How could she have forgotten?


    Everett had always been this way-cold and indifferent when he didn''t care, and now possessive when he did.


    Love was supposed to be about understanding and respect. Since he didn''t truly love her, those things were missing!


    Tears still slipped down her cheeks, wetting his fingertips.


    Everett felt that strange difort in his chest again, his Adam''s apple moving up and down. Truth be told, outside of the bedroom, he didn''t like seeing Selena cry. Her smile was so much more beautiful and pleasing to him.


    But her stubbornness really tested his patience. If he gave in now, she''d probably take the baby and leave without a second nce.


    He was a businessman, after all, always avoiding risks and never making a bad deal!


    So, even if she couldn''t ept it now, he had to keep going.


    Once she calmed down and thought things through, she''d see the value in what he was offering.


    Everett paused for a moment, then took her soft hand, ying with it gently. "Selena, you wanted the child, and I''m here for that. You don''t like Margot, and I can avoid her. So don''t you think... you could soften up a bit towards me?"


    He settled next to Selena, turning to look at her lovely profile. "You used to love me so much. It shouldn''t be hard to keep loving me, right?" Love?


    Hearing that word, all Selena could feel was biting sarcasm. If it hadn''t been for her love for him, she wouldn''t be in this situation!


    "Besides, we have a child together."


    Everett''srge hand rested gently on Selena''s still-t belly. "You wouldn''t want him to be born without a father would you? No matter how much you love him, a mother can''t rece the absence of a father, can she?" Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    She could call him shameless for his first two points, but at the third, she found herself at a loss for words.


    She''d grown up cherished by both


    parents, believing both a mother''s and father''s roles were essential. So, for the child to enter a world marred by adult conflicts, into a


    inve


    single-parent family, would truly be


    unfair.


    Seeing her lost in thought, Everett wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace. His lips brushed her ear, his voice dropping to a nearly hypnotic whisper. "Selena, I promise you, from today, I''ll be a good husband, a good father. Let''s live our lives together, alright?"


    Selena turned to him, dazed.


    His features were as striking as ever, his gaze intense and full of emotion. His words struck directly at her heart, making it waver.


    She thought to herself, Everett was truly a master negotiator. No wonder he always got his way in business. He knew exactly how to y on emotions, and looking as good as he did, who wouldn''t be swept away? Suddenly, Selena shut her eyes tight, refusing to look at him any longer, unwilling to be swayed by his charm again.