Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Blaine flicked away his cigarette, brushed off his pants nonchalantly, and strolled toward the curb. Waiting there was a sleek Maybach, its driver already holding the door open for him. He ducked inside with practiced ease.

His assistant slid into the front seat and, after a quick glance in the rearview mirror, decided to speak up. “Boss, your wife found out you're back in France. She wanted me to ask when you'll be home."

At those words, Blaine's expression hardened momentarily. Yet, when he spoke, his voice was laced with a gentle affection. He toyed with the ring on his finger. "If she's missing me, I guess I should drop by."

The assistant nodded and told the driver to head to their home.

When Blaine entered the villa, it was cloaked in darkness-the staff had turned in for the night. He didn't bother with the lights, navigating by memory up to the master bedroom.

In the soft moonlight, he could just make out the gentle rise and fall of a figure in the bed.

His wife, Alexa.

Blaine loosened his tie and crossed the room in a few strides, pulling back the thin blanket covering her.

Afterward, Alexa lay marked by his presence, her legs still trembling slightly. The dim light cast her face in a ghostly pallor.

Blaine, on the other hand, looked almost untouched, his clothes just a bit rumpled. With a quick adjustment, he was back to looking as polished as ever. Apart from a certain satisfied gleam in his eyes, you'd never know what had just happened.

Without a word or a glance, he turned to leave.noveldrama

Alexa tightened her robe and called after him, trying to stop him.

Blaine halted, turned back, and looked down at her with a cool detachment. "What right do you have to ask me to stay? As my wife? Have you forgotten how we ended up married?"

Her face blanched with embarrassment.

She sat quietly for a moment, then reached into the bedside drawer, pulling out a stack of photos.

Her voice was raw, "If you've found someone you really love, let's get divorced. I'll make room for her."

Blaine picked up one photo, his fingers lingering on it.

It captured moments of him with Selena in Newport, their recent meetings documented.

He smirked. "Decent photography."

But then, his grip tightened around Alexa's wrist, his words cutting. "Alexa, remember this: I'm not your husband. I'm your creditor. You think you can leave before you've paid up? Not a chance."

Tears welled in Alexa's eyes, her cheeks burning.

Again, she pleaded, "I've never betrayed you! How many times do I have to say it for you to believe me?"

Blaine's laugh was cold and dismissive.

He'd had enough of her supposed innocence. His rough thumb brushed over her lips, watching her crumble.

Pathetic.

His gaze turned steely.

Alexa buried her face in the pillow, tears soaking into the fabric.

...

As Selena's due date loomed closer, she rarely ventured out. It had been over a month since her final split from Everett, and he hadn't attempted to worm his way back inte her life.

Even Mateo only made the occasional video call, never visiting in person.

Ava, meanwhile, had settled back into her routine of staying home, grumbling about Everett every now and then.

With Selena set to check into the hospital for the birth, Joy showed up laden with gifts.

Joy settled onto the couch, eyeing Selena's large belly with worry. "Think the delivery's gonna be rough?"

Selena gave a soft smile. "I've got Dr. Carrillo coming back for the delivery. He'll be here next week. He's top-notch."

"That's a relief."

Ava came over with a fruit platter, munching on watermelon as she dished out gossip.

Caught up in the chatter, she suddenly blurted, "Oh, and Selena, Everett's mom set him up on a blind date, and he went for it."

The smile dropped from Selena's face, and soon after, her belly began to tighten painfully, cold sweate

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