Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Selena wrapped a robe around herself and slipped out of bed, opening the bedroom door. "What's up?" she asked.

Ava was already pulling her towards the kids' room, explaining that Mateo had seemed a bit off when he got home from school that afternoon. She'd chalked it up to exhaustion from playing and put him to bed early. But when she checked on him, he was burning up and drenched in sweat.

She'd called his name several times, but he wouldn't wake up.

Selena sat down by his bed, watching her son grimace from the high fever, his little face scrunched up in discomfort, whimpering in his sleep. Her eyes welled up with tears. His pain was her pain.

Ava checked the thermometer under the lamp, her voice shaky. "It's already 102 degrees. No surprise there, with the weather changing and the flu going around. Mateo mentioned some classmates were sick, so he probably caught it at school."

Selena made a snap decision. "We need to get to the hospital!"

Mateo was already frail, and trying to bring down the fever with home remedies would be too slow and risky.

Ava quickly dressed Mateo in dry clothes, bundled him up in a coat to keep him warm, and carried him downstairs.

The driver and car from Moon Bay were available, but with the driver on leave, Selena decided she'd drive.

Ava hesitated, worried about the stormy weather and potential road dangers. Selena reassured her, "I'm not easily rattled. I'll drive carefully. Let's move!"

With little choice, Ava climbed into the back seat, holding Mateo close.

Luckily, Selena was an experienced driver, and despite the nerve-wracking journey, they arrived safely at the hospital.

But with so many kids sick during the season, even the emergency room was packed, even in the dead of night.

After checking in, they faced a long wait.

Ava, looking at Mateo's flushed face, was beside herself with worry. "Ma'am, who knows how long this will take? Maybe... you should call Mr. Everett to see if he can help?"

Selena hesitated for a moment, then picked up her phone.

Instead of calling Everett, she dialed Callum.noveldrama

As luck would have it, Callum was on duty that night. He arrived quickly and got them through a VIP channel.

Mateo's condition was serious-a combination of flu and a bad cold-requiring hospitalization for observation.

By the time everything was sorted out, it was already well past midnight.

Selena walked Callum to the door of the hospital room and said softly "Dr. Campbell, thank you for everything tonight." Contes

"Selena, no need to thank me. I'm glad you thought of me," Callum replied, now more open with his feelings than before.

"And it's not just because of you. I've watched Mateo grow up. I couldn't just stand by."

Selena understood his intentions but wasn't in the mindset for romance. Her focus was on her son and ensuing her baby girl arrived safely.

She didn't respond directly to Callum, just smiled gently. "Dr. Campbell, it's late. You should get some rest. Once Mateo's better, I'll bring him to thank you personally."

Callum understood her unspoken words.

He knew pushing too hard could backfire, as it had in the past.

So he didn't insist on staying, simply nodding. "Alright, I'll head off now. If you need anything, just call me." Watching his white coat disappear down the hall, Selena sighed softly before turning back to the room. Ava, having observed the exchange, cautiously suggested, "Ma'am, Dr. Campbell really is a good guy..."