Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Everett chuckled, a sly grin playing on his lips. "Funny how when you want a divorce, I'm just a nobody to you. But now that you need my help, and we're suddenly family, Selena. Are you always this two-faced?"

Selena rolled her eyes internally. Two-faced? She preferred to think of herself as being adaptable. But hey, she was the one asking for a favor, so maybe she should let it slide. Softening her tone, she pressed on, "So, Mr. Bennett, what's your take on this?" There was a pause, a good ten seconds of silence before Everett finally spoke up. "Grandpa's 70th birthday is the day after tomorrow."

Selena froze. In the whirlwind of divorce drama, she had completely forgotten about his grandpa's big day.

Quickly gathering her thoughts, she realized, "So, if I play the doting wife at Grandpa's birthday bash, you'll help me out?"

Everett clarified, "It all depends on your performance."

Selena agreed without a second thought. She loved his grandpa dearly and would've gone to the party anyway. "Sure, playing the loving wife is nothing new for me. I've been doing it for three years. One more time won't hurt. I promise I'll nail it!"

...

Josh's birthday party was hosted at the Bennett family's sprawling home, flawlessly orchestrated by Selena's mother-in-law Carolina.

Carolina was sharp as a tack and incredibly capable, so even after three years in the Bennett family, Selena never had to worry about planning any of their countless gatherings. Initially, she tried getting involved to build a bridge with her mother-in-law, and seek guidance, but her efforts were met with lukewarm reception. Eventually, she stopped trying to win their approval.

but a last-minute meeting popped

hadn't yet shown up. Just the family

planned to head straight upstairs to see Josh. As she crossed the living room, an

Rebecca, Everett's cousin. Rebecca was pretty

Selena,

haughty and overbearing, never

her with respect. Selena

with it, hoping

approval and perhaps make Everett see her

respected her even less, especially Rebecca, who never missed a chance to give her Now that divorce was on the horizon,

hadn't expected

off, especially

early

a few friends