Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Grace had always been one to keep up appearances, and seeing Selena troubled by all the gossip really got under her skin. She was worried sick, just like Selena.

Selena felt a twinge of sadness, too. Because of that no-good Everett, her grandma had to put up with the town's wagging tongues. Being fiercely protective, Grace must've been driven up the wall countless times. It was like a punishment for Selena's blind love. "Grandma, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault." Her voice was thick with emotion.

Grace's face tightened as if she'd just put two and two together. She clutched Selena's hand and asked anxiously, "So, your husband still can't make it? Didn't he promise me?"

"He..." Selena hesitated, unable to bring herself to tell her grandmother the truth. At that moment, she was ready to confront Everett. Breaking promises to her was one thing, but dragging her grandma into it was just too much.

It was cruel to give someone false hope!

Grace's voice was barely a whisper, "This is a disaster. You and your husband haven't even had your wedding yet, right? Since he was finally coming home with you, I thought we could have a little gathering out here in the country. Introduce him to friends and family, and shut up those who look down on you."

Seeing Selena's reaction, Grace knew what was up. She wobbled, and Selena rushed to steady her. "Grandma, are you okay?"

This threw Selena for a loop. She hadn't seen it coming. She gulped a few times before asking, her voice shaky, "Grandma, you were only mulling over hosting a reception, right?"

Grace covered her face, her voice trembling as she admitted, "The reception is set for tomorrow night. Invitations have been sent out. The whole village knows you're bringing home a wealthy husband..."

Selena looked at her grandma with hopeful eyes.

Selena felt like the ground was spinning beneath her. She thought to herself, 'Grandma, despite your trouble getting around, you sure didn't waste any time!'

"Selena, my dear, what are we going to do? Your husband isn't coming now, and who knows how much everyone will laugh at us tomorrow..."

The thought of being branded a liar in her later years made Grace's breath come in gasps.

Selena, startled, gently patted her back, trying to soothe her. "Grandma, don't worry. I'll figure something out."

"What can you do, really? Can you make your husband come back? Can you ensure he'll be at the reception tomorrow?"

Selena was lost for words.

"You're just buttering me up," Grace

said, her voice tinged with

heartbreak and disappointment. She pushed Selena's hand away and turned to shuffle back into the house. Her hair was silver, and her steps unsteady.

Watching her, tears welled up in Selena's eyes. Her grandma just wanted to meet the man she married three years ago-a simple wish, and yet she couldn't make it happen. She felt utterly useless.

QUMS

"Selena." A man's voice, carried by the soft night breeze, brushed against her face from behind.

Selena's heart leaped.

A few seconds later, she slowly turned around to face the voice.

Under the streetlight stood a man in

This

a navy blue coat, a suitcase by his side. He smiled at her, the lighte casting a long shadow behind him. Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

He walked toward her from the shadows, step by step. In Selena's dark eyes, his figure slowly came into focus.