Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire novel Chapter 544

Selena knew her son like the back of her hand. Even though he was just a little guy, his calm demeanor often made her and Ava joke that he was an old soul in a young body. Whatever had shaken him up this much had to be something serious. Her heart clenched as she knelt down to embrace him, trying to soothe his worries.

Gently running her fingers through his hair, she whispered, “Hey, little Mateo, mom’s right here. No need to be scared. Can you tell me what’s going on? Who said those things to you? Was it… your dad?” She was pretty sure this was what had him so upset last night.

Just as Mateo was about to spill the beans, a deep voice cut in, “Time to head down for breakfast.”

Selena looked up. There stood Everett, tall and composed at the door, his dark eyes observing them with a quiet intensity. He seemed worlds apart from the brazen man she had dealt with the night before. For a second, she wondered if last night had just been a figment of her imagination.

Mateo, seeing Everett, clammed up and dropped his gaze to the floor. With no response from the two, Everett strode inside, scooped up his son, and made his way downstairs.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Selena quickly followed them to the dining room. Everett set Mateo next to him at the table, where Kate had laid out a spread of breakfast choices. With a nod, he gestured, “Grab whatever you like.”

But Mateo kept glancing at the door, waiting for his mom. He wasn’t thrilled about being alone with Everett.

Everett picked up a slice of bread, casually spreading blueberry jam on it. He wasn’t oblivious to the little boy's hesitation and let out a soft chuckle. “You’ll have to learn to eat on your own someday. Your mom can’t always be right there.”

Mateo’s face scrunched up at the blunt comment, his eyes welling up again with tears.

“My son isn’t going to be that fragile. The future heir of Bennett Corporation cannot afford to be fragile.”

Everett’s gaze swept over Mateo and then landed on Selena’s shocked face. He gave a small, sly smile and went back to his breakfast without another word.

Selena couldn’t tell if he was just trying to rile her up or if he genuinely believed what he said. If it was the latter, this kind of parenting wasn’t just stealing away a happy childhood; it was at risk of turning Mateo into someone like Everett—a man who didn’t understand love, or worse, didn’t care for it.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine. That was a reality she couldn’t accept. Mateo had already faced so many challenges since before he was born, always more delicate than other kids. She cherished and protected him, wanting nothing more than for him to be healthy and happy as he grew up—not shaped by Everett’s harsh ways.