Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Selena's eyes flickered slightly. It was Callum...

Just then, her phone buzzed. She walked over to check it. He'd sent a message: "If you're still up, there's something I want to talk about."

She tiptoed to her son's bedside, kissed his cheek softly, tucked him in, and wrapped her coat tighter around herself before stepping outside.

She opened the door to Brook's House, stepping aside to let him in. "How long have you been standing here? Why didn't you say something?" she whispered.

Had she not been restless and glanced out the window, he might've been left in the chilly wind all night.

Callum gave a gentle smile, "I was worried you were asleep. You've been so worn out lately, I didn't want to disturb you."

In the search for little Mateo, she'd hardly slept, and then Everett whisked her away for nearly a day and a night. Even though Callum had been anxious with so much to say, he couldn't bear to wake her.

Once inside, Selena flicked on the living room light, inviting him to make himself at home while she went to the kitchen to fetch a glass of warm water. "Here, drink this to warm up."

Callum smiled, accepting the glass and taking a sip, only to wince as the motion pulled at a cut on his lip.

Out in the dim light, Selena hadn't noticed his injuries. Now, under the bright lights, the familiar gentle face was marred with bruises. His forehead, cheeks, and the corner of his lips were battered, and his right eye was blackened.

This was the first time she'd seen Dr. Campbell, usually so polished and calm, looking so rough. It looked painful at first glance, and her brows furrowed without her realizing it.

Callum caught her concern, set the glass down, and said with a light-hearted smile, "Don't worry, it just looks bad. They're only superficial wounds."

"And don't think I'm that fragile. This is nothing," he added, revealing a side of himself he'd never shown her before.

"Let me get you some ointment," Selena offered, retrieving a first aid kit from the TV cabinet. She sat next to him, pulling out iodine and antiseptic.

With slender fingers holding a cotton swab, she leaned in to apply the medicine, her face focused.

To help her, Callum bowed his head. For a moment, the space between them shrank, and he caught the faint fragrance from her hair, stirring something deep in his gaze.

He looked down, seeing her face so close, her skin pale and delicate, showing no signs of having borne a child. Time seemed to have favored her, replacing the innocence of her youth with a mature allure. Enough to hold anyone's gaze.

He was momentarily lost, his gaze catching a glimpse of a purplish-red mark partially hidden under her hair on the back of her neck.

He knew what it was...

Callum's hand suddenly clenched, his arm muscles tensing, veins standing out slightly.

Selena, focused on the task, didn't notice his mood and thought she'd hurt him. "Sorry, I'll be gentler," she quickly apologized.

No sooner had she spoken than he grabbed her hand, the warmth and dryness of his touch startling her. She instinctively tried to pull away. But Callum held tighter, refusing to let go.

Selena looked up in shock, meeting his intense gaze.

"Selena, I like you," he said, his voice as gentle as a mountain stream, softly brushing over her heart.

Selena's long lashes fluttered, and she was silent for a moment, unsure whether she was shocked by his sudden confession or simply didn't know how to respond.

Callum, always measured and aware of boundaries, was now pushing forward, unwilling to retreat.

He swallowed and looked into her eyes again. "You know I like you, right?"

Selena lowered her gaze slightly.

She thought with a touch of resignation, even if she hadn't

known before and had once mistaken his affections for Margot, years of being together had made it clear She wasn't foolish or emotionally clueless.

But he'd always kept it friendly, never breaking the facade.

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Sometimes she wondered if she was reading too much into things. After all, she didn't think every man in the world was into her...

After a moment, Selena nodded gently, "I kind of knew."noveldrama

A smile tugged at Callum's lips, "Then... what do you think?"

Selena fell silent again. Slowly, she pulled her hand from his, pursed her lips slightly, and carefully chose her words, "Dr. Campbell, about you... I..."

As perceptive as Callum was, he could easily read the hesitation in her voice.

He didn't want to hear her rejection.

So, he quickly added, "Selena, Mateo was young before, and you poured all your energy into him. But now

he's growing up, and you should start thinking about yourself

"And Mateo needs a father figure in his life."

"I know you don't feel that way about me yet, but you don't dislike me, right? And Mateo likes me too."