Everett found himself momentarily speechless, assuming Selena was just venting because he hadn''t been there for her during thest months of her pregnancy. He had his reasons, after all. And Margot''s loss of their child was something he felt partly responsible for; in his mind, he was making amends. "Selena, I mean it," he said sincerely.


    Everett rarely opened up. His reserved nature and his upbringing taught him to keep his feelings locked away, never letting anyone truly understand him. But now, whether it was tofort Selena or because he felt she was already a part of his life, he found himself asionally willing to share his thoughts with her.


    Sincere? Selena felt a mix of disbelief and sarcasm. The old her would have been swept away by such heartfelt words. Now, she couldn''t help but think he might just be acting out of guilt, perhaps wanting another child. Who''s to say he wouldn''t find a child a nuisance someday, an obstacle in his path, and make another rash decision? She had escaped by the skin of her teeth this time, but what about next time?


    No one stays lucky forever, no one.


    She lifted her hand, cing it firmly on his shoulder as she pushed him away. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her voice hoarse but steady as she spoke calmly.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Everett, this isn''t what I want."


    "If you really want to make it up to me, let me go. Once we''re divorced, I promise you''ll never see me again. You''ll forget me soon enough, I swear."


    Her words weren''t unfounded; he''d forgotten her once before. Surely, he could do it again. No one''s irreceable, and no one... unforgettable.


    Everett''s heart, once aze, cooled


    at her words a chill settling in his gaze. He couldn''t fathom how Selena could be so unappreciative When he was unwilling to give, she clung and demanded. Now that he was ready to offer, she refused, acting all high and mighty. Always out of sync with the moment.


    het


    Indeed, as she pointed out, Everett had been under a lot of stresstely. Adler, after realizing he wouldn''t get much from Josh''s new will, had been pestering Josh to change it until Everett''s men had thrown Adler out and barred him from returning. Dropping the pretense of being the dutiful son, Adler turned hostile.


    Behind closed doors, he schemed through bribery and alliances with dissenting shareholders, constantly causing trouble for Everett.


    Meanwhile, Everett''s arch-rival was negotiating a marriage alliance, hoping to use Reba''s marriage to secure a powerful ally. Adler thought he struck gold, unaware that if the marriage went through, it would be like letting a fox into the henhouse, enabling the rival to infiltrate and potentially dismantle the Bet Corporation from within.


    Adler''s ineptitude in corporate warfare frustrated Everett to no end, making him want to toss Adler into the Antic to cool his head.


    With external pressures mounting, Everett wanted to avoid internal strife. Previously, Selena couldn''t stir his emotions, but now it was different. She could unsettle him with ease, tugging at his nerves, even though he hadn''t yet figured out why. Losing the will to talk, Everett stood, hands in his pockets, and silently watched her.


    "I have a meeting. Think about what you want."


    With that, he turned and walked away. Then, as if remembering something, he paused and added, in a tone that was neither warm nor harsh, "Selena, you know I have a temper. If I''m in a bad mood, I won''t take it out on you, but others might not be so lucky."