So she''d been neglecting her daughter too.


    "Sweetheart, Mommy loves you," Eleanor whispered.


    "I love you too, Mommy." Her daughter''s sleepy, syrupy voice brushed her ear, followed by a warm kiss from her tiny lips.


    "Mommy, you''ll always be my best mommy. I don''t want to leave you. Not ever." Evelyn cupped Eleanor''s face in her small hands, her eyes shining with devotion in the dim light.


    Eleanor hugged her daughter tighter, kissing the top of her soft head. "Mommy loves you too, darling. Always."


    Monday morning, the whole family headed to the airport.


    Eighteen hourster, they touched down in Drexford. Ian''s assistant, Gavin Young, was pushing a mountain of luggage; Eleanor clutched her handbag, while Evelyn-who''d slept through most of the flight-remained curled up in her father''s arms, bundled snugly in his coat.


    Outside the airport, they slipped into the warmth of a waiting SUV. Ian gently adjusted his daughter''s position, his deep eyes softening as he gazed down at her. With a graceful hand, he brushed a stray lock of hair from her brow.


    Three vehicles made their way through Drexford''s stormy night. Eleanor gazed out at the rain-streaked city, her heart growing heavier as she thought about seeing her mother-inw and her sister-inw, Serena Goodwin, in just a few minutes.


    Eight years ago, whenn was twenty, he''d been rushed to the hospital after a car ident-her father had been the chief surgeon on call. Eleanor, upon hearing the news, dropped out of college to care forn. At the time, her mother-inw was too grief-stricken to object.


    Eleanor took on everything: she nursed, she cleaned, she barely slept. For a year, she rarely leftn''s side. When he finally woke up, Eleanor couldn''t contain her feelings any longer-she confessed her love and told him she wanted to marry him.


    She hadn''t realized her confession had been overheard. Her mother-inw confronted her almost immediately, offering her a million dors to leaven and disappear from his life.


    Eleanor was heartsick. She packed her bags, ready to go back to school, butn showed up at her door. He said, simply, that he wanted her to be his wife.


    Even now, Eleanor could remember that day vividly-how thin he''d looked, how calm his expression had been, but how bright and determined his eyes were as he said, "Let''s get married."


    On her wedding day, her father''s assistant quietly told her that it was her father who had givenn the recordings of her year at his bedside. It wasn''t until after the wedding that Eleanor realized the truth: Ian hadn''t married her for love, but out of gratitude.


    Back then, she''d believed that if she just loved him enough, his heart would eventually turn to her. But neen-year-old Eleanor had been hopelessly na?ve. Nearly an hourter, their motorcade wound its way into one of Drexford''s wealthiest neighborhoods, stopping atst before a grand, brilliantly lit estate.


    A small group of staff stood at the door, ready to collect their luggage. Eleanor stepped out first, clutching her bag, and nced back just in time to seen descend from the car, holding their daughter close. At that moment, Evelyn finally woke up.


    She wrapped her arms around her father''s broad shoulders, hair tousled, her rosy cheeks flushed with sleep, yawning-utterly adorable.


    "Daddy, are we at Grandma''s house?" Evelyn asked.


    Just then, a regal figure appeared at the top of the staircase. Her delighted voice rang out, "My granddaughter is here-Grandma''s right here!"


    Gina Quinn''s eyes sparkled as she spotted Evelyn, but when her gazended on Eleanor, standing quietly in the foyer, the warmth faded. Eleanor greeted her politely. "Hello, Mom. It''s been a while."


    "Oh, Evelyn! You''ve grown so muche here and let Grandma give you a hug!" Gina scooped Evelyn up, beaming as she patted her granddaughter''s sturdy little arms. "Your daddy''s been taking good care of you. You''ve gotten even chubbier."


    "Yes, ma''am," the housekeeper replied.


    Eleanor''s heart sank. Thement was for her benefit-a reminder that she wasn''t truly wee, or else her room would have been ready already.


    "Grandma, I''m hungry. Can I have something to eat? Oh-where''s Aunt Serena?" Evelyn, alreadyfortable in her new surroundings, was anything but shy.


    "Of course, sweetheart. I''ll have the chef fix something special for you. Your aunt


    is skiing abroad with friends-she''ll be back for the holidays."


    Eleanor breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Serena, like her mother, had never liked her. The less she saw of her, the better.<fn5638> For more chapters visit find?novel</fn5638>


    Just then,n''s phone rang. Eleanor nced over and watched him check the screen before stepping outside to take the call.