She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 462

In the park across from the old apartment complex, several elderly people were exercising on the outdoor equipment. Some parents were playing with their children, while others walked their dogs.

Melanie and Preston walked together, with Preston carrying several shopping bags filled with men's clothing. He had paid for all of them, but they weren't for him.

"Pretty lady, I want that one! That looks so yummy!" Everett pointed at a little boy's ice cream.

The boy's parent gave Everett a look like he was an absolute lunatic and quickly pulled their child away.

"Sure, I'll buy it for you," Melanie said, handing Everett an ice cream cone.

She had brought Everett to the mall today, accompanied by Preston, to buy him some fresh clothes. Melanie had tried to pay, but Preston had intervened and covered the bill.

"It's enough that you came with me. Taking care of Everett isn't your responsibility," she had told him.

"I just didn't want you spending money on another man," he had joked.

Thinking of his teasing, Melanie couldn't help but smile.

The three of them strolled down the widest path in the park. With Preston's strikingly handsome features and Melanie's radiant beauty, they looked like movie stars and drew plenty of stares from passersby.

It was just past lunchtime. Every Saturday around this time, Evelyn would bring Lila to this park to tire her out before her afternoon nap.

Evelyn now lived in the run-down apartment complex across the street. Broke and unemployed, this park was the only entertainment she could afford to provide for Lila.

She was playing with Lila as usual when she suddenly heard the little girl call out, "Daddy?"

Evelyn whipped her head around. She thought Dominic had finally grown a conscience after being discharged from the hospital and had come looking for them.

Instead, Everett's figure abruptly filled her vision.

Evelyn's knees buckled, nearly sending her collapsing to the ground.

"Mommy, what's wrong? That's Daddy, right?" Lila reached out to point at Everett.

They stood face-to-face at the entrance of the nursing home under the night sky.

"I hope you never say thank you to me again."

Melanie paused.

"You are my wife. No matter what you do, being by your side is exactly where I belong," Preston said, gazing at her with deep, soulful eyes.

He earned a playful elbow to the ribs for his words. "Who are you calling your wife? We aren't married yet."

Despite her retort, a warm feeling blossomed in her chest.

They walked hand in hand through the darkness, the stars above them shining a little brighter.

Three days later, Dominic was released from the detention center. He was supposed to be held for at least five days, but Gregory had pulled strings and called in favors to get him out early.