Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

The knock on the door made Selena glance up just as Ricky walked in.

"Hey, you're still awake?" His voice carried a hint of worry.

Selena quickly tucked away the financial papers she'd been poring over and looked up at him. "I was just about to call it a night." Ricky lingered by the couch, not saying a word and not leaving. The usually defiant teenager looked utterly defeated right then. Selena had a good idea of what was weighing on his mind. She patted the couch beside her, inviting him to sit.

Ricky plopped down, his elbows resting on his knees, his head bowed low. The energy drained from him.

Selena gently ruffled his hair, offering comfort with a tenderness she rarely showed. "Hey, it's okay. We'll figure it out."

But Ricky wasn't a little kid anymore. He understood the seriousness of their situation all too well.

After a long pause, he spoke, his voice heavy, "Selena, there's no way we can come up with that kind of money. Maybe we should just declare bankruptcy. I can start working. I'm not scared of hard work. I'll make enough to support Mom and Dad, and you too."

shook her head softly. "The fact that you're not blaming me for what happened with Aunt Claire is a relief. But I can't let you lose Dad, too. Alright, enough worrying, kiddo. Get some sleep, or you'll end up with dark circles, and they

a kid anymore. I'm an

sky's gonna fall, it's

gave him a playful nudge with her foot. "Now

not wanting Selena to see, he quickly got up and

watched him leave, her

to several banks, hoping to secure a loan using her uncle's real estate as collateral. However, the news of the app crash had spread like wildfire overnight, creating a

felt a heavy despair

her last resort was to

screen. Even asking friends for help seemed futile

with two choices: approach

much money was a big deal. What could she possibly offer as collateral? As for