But the olddy insisted on giving her the gift. If Eleanor refused again, she''d only upset her, so she epted it for now, deciding she''d return it after the divorce.


    After the New Year''s Eve dinner, Serena went out to meet friends. Gina settled in with Evelyn to watch a movie, andn sat nearby, scrolling through his phone. Eleanor came downstairs, her mind turning over ways she might take her daughter home.


    "Evelyn will sleep here tonight," Gina announced, holding her granddaughter close. "You two can head home."<fn769d> Get full chapters from findnovel</fn769d>


    Eleanor hesitated when she realized her mother-inw meant for Evelyn to spend the night. She looked atn. She hadn''t driven over, so if he wasn''t leaving, she''d have to catch a cab.


    "Evelyn, are you sure you don''t want toe home with Mom and Dad?"n asked their daughter.


    "I want to stay with Grandma tonight," Evelyn replied, her little head nodding.


    Eleanor noticedn picking up his car keys. She leaned down to Evelyn. "Be good, sweetheart. I''lle see you tomorrow."


    "Bye-bye, Mommy and Daddy!" Evelyn chirped, her mouth still full of fruit.


    Eleanor waved to her daughter and walked toward the foyer.


    The bitter night air made her wrap her arms tighter around herself as she hurried


    ton''s car and slid into the passenger seat.


    Eleanor paused. "I''m a little tired. Can we not?"


    "Does it always have to be this way?"n suddenly asked, turning to her.


    She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then abruptly pushed open the car door. "I''ll get a cab home."


    She shut the door and stepped into the biting wind, heading for the gate. Just two hundred yards ahead was the main road.


    Eleanor hugged herself, her slim figure almost a wisp against the gusts, dark hair whipping across her face. Still, there was no hesitation in her stride.


    Behind her,n''s Rolls-Royce roared off, disappearing around the corner.


    Eleanor gged down a taxi and went home.


    Back at the house, it was only her and Princess, her dog, but for once, she feltpletely at ease.


    New Year''s Day.


    Ashford City was alive with celebration. The streets were packed, everyndmark overflowing with people, both online and off buzzing with New Year''s cheer.


    At noon, Eleanor gracefully declined her mother-inw''s invitation to lunch. Instead, she cooked herself a simple bowl of pasta at home.


    At six in the evening, Serena called.


    "Hey, Eleanor! We''re all having dinner out tonighte join us!"


    "Sure, where?" Eleanor asked.


    "I''ll text you the address." Serena sent over the details.


    Eleanor saw it was a private room at a seven-star hotel downtown. She slipped into a chic jacket and jeans, anticipating heavy traffic and tricky parking, so she hailed a cab instead.


    By the time she reached the hotel, it was already seven. Eleanor crossed the grand lobby and took the elevator to the sixth floor.


    When the doors slid open, she checked her directions, then headed left down avish corridor. Behind an ornate set of double doors, she passed a beautifully decorated hallway lined with a shimmering pool.


    Just as Eleanor reached the private dining room, she spotted Serena outside, talking on the phone. The moment she saw Eleanor, she hung up and came over with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You made it!"


    Serena pushed open the door to the private room.


    Eleanor froze in ce.