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."

that you're not blaming me for what happened with Aunt Claire is a relief. But I can't let you lose

kid anymore.

be my little cousin. If the sky's gonna fall,

playful nudge with her foot. "Now scoot, get

tears, and not wanting Selena to see, he quickly got up and dashed out of

her own

spread like wildfire overnight, creating a media circus and a flood of negative chatter aimed at Brook. In such a climate, no bank was willing to give

felt a

face, her last resort was to seek

across the screen. Even asking friends for help seemed futile The amount was just

with two choices: approach

friendly terms, asking for that much money was a big deal. What could she possibly offer as collateral? As for