Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

A few days ago, they'd just come by to check on her. Yet, the bond they shared felt like the kind that could last a lifetime. After watching the three little ones disappear through the school gates, she gently pressed the gas pedal and headed off to the hospital.

Having been through this before, Selena knew the drill all too well. Check-in, blood test, and then the wait. Just as she expected, the doctor glanced at her chart and broke into a smile.

"Congratulations, ma'am, you're pregnant."

Even though she'd been expecting it, the joy that surged through her was indescribable. Standing in the bustling hospital courtyard, she pulled out her phone and dialed Everett. She couldn't wait to share the news with him.

For the first time, she was pregnant and could proudly tell him. This was a child they both had wished for. The phone rang and rang, but no answer came. Selena frowned slightly. Was he tied up with something? No matter, he'd call her on video that evening, and she could break the news then. Letting it go for now, she set her phone down and gently stroked her still-flat belly, her heart full of happiness.

Everett was indeed swamped with work. That night, he didn't call, and soon their nightly chats stretched to every three days, then five, and eventually longer. Pregnancy had Selena nodding off more often, and she found herself asleep when Everett's calls came in, only noticing them when she woke up.

month passed without Selena

a bit

longed for her husband's presence

Corporation's project in France

an

French government. Succèss would open up a

she'd shelve her complaints. After all, Everett was working tirelessly to secure a future for their son and their

had settled in, and

second prenatal check-up, and the baby was doing great. She thought about Everett spending the holiday's alone in France and how lonely it might be. Christmas, after alb

share the festive season together and, most importantly, tell him the good news about the pregnancy in person. Double the joy, double the celebration. Hoping to catch Everett off guard, she didn't give him a heads-up. On Christmas Eve, with a carefully chosen gift in

a dinner event that night and would be back late. She called to remind him, then settled in the hotel lobby, waiting for him. As she nodded off,