Eleanor let out a coldugh as she turned away. "Vanessa, don''t act surprised. You know exactly what you did."


    "Eleanor, what''s that supposed to mean? Are you really going to me Vanessa for this?" Serena snapped, her voice shaking with anger.


    "That''s enough, Serena,"n said quietly, standing up and moving between them. Serena bit her lip, falling silent. Ian turned to Eleanor. "Are you alright?"


    Eleanor looked away. "I''m fine."


    "Vanessa''s the one who just got over a cold. If anyone should be worried, it''s her," Serena chimed in from the side.


    Vanessa gave a soft cough, covering her mouth. "I''m alright, really. I just swallowed some water the wrong way."


    "No need." Eleanor''s refusal was immediate. She spun on her heel, told the waiter to toss her soaked clothes, grabbed her purse, and walked up to Xavier. "Thank you, Mr. Vaughn."


    Just as she reached the door, Vanessa swayed a little, pressing a hand to her forehead. n, I''m feeling dizzy..."


    Eleanor nced back from the doorway. Ian was already by Vanessa''s side, steadying her gently with one arm around her shoulders.


    Xavier came over, givingn a friendly pat on the back. "I''ll head out too."


    "Already, Xavier? We haven''t even finished dinner," Serena protested, a hint of disappointment in her voice.


    "My rtives areing over tonight. Have to y host," Xavier replied, then slipped away.


    Serena hurried to Vanessa''s side. "Vanessa, do you want my brother to take you to the hospital?"


    Vanessa shook her head. "No, I just need to rest at home."


    "Then,n, you''d better take her back now!"


    Vanessa had once wondered: if she and Eleanor both fell into the water, who wouldn save first?


    Today, she had her answer.


    It would always be her.


    Eleanor stood outside the restaurant, shivering in the chilly night air, clutching her bag. The hotel had only given her a thin undershirt, a white sweater, and a pair of cks. The temperature was barely above freezing, and she huddled under the harsh re of a streemp, teeth chattering.


    Just then, a silver Bentley pulled up. The window rolled down and Xavier leaned out. "Mrs. Goodwin, let me give you a ride."


    She shook her head, forcing a smile. "That''s kind of you, Mr. Vaughn, but I''ll be fine."


    "It''s New Year''s Day-good luck hailing a cab tonight. Most drivers are off," Xavier pointed out.


    Eleanor paused, looked up and down the street, and realized he was right. Private cars everywhere, but not a single taxi or rideshare in sight.


    She nodded, conceding. "Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. Sorry for the trouble."


    She gave him her address, and Xavier smiled. "I know it. Ian and I live in the same neighborhood."


    Eleanor blinked in surprise, but neither of them said another word. The car ride was quiet, the silence heavy between them.


    Xavier thoughtfully turned up the heat and yed some soft music. Eleanor didn''t say anything, but she felt a flicker of gratitude.


    He dropped her off at her building. She thanked him, standing by the curb until his car disappeared into the night.


    Back home, Eleanor took a long, hot shower. Soaking in the tub, she reyed the events in her mind—Vanessa dragging her into the water, revealing her true colors. On the surface, Vanessa was the perfectdy: a talented pianist, graceful, polite, and admired by everyone. But beneath that facade, she was cold and vicious.


    How could Eleanor ever leave her daughter in the same house as a woman like that? Let her be her daughter''s stepmother?


    No. Never.


    Eleanor called her mother-inw to say she wouldn''t being over that night. Around ten, as she was getting ready for bed, she heard the front door openn was home.


    She quietly closed her bedroom door, locking it. Tonight, she didn''t want to see him.<fn4b66> ?????? ???? Find★Novel</fn4b66>


    He paused outside her room, hand on the doorknob, but when he found it locked, he left her in peace.


    Eleanor finally drifted off, but her sleep was gued by feverish nightmares. By morning, she woke with a pounding headache and a fever.


    Dizzy and weak, she managed to wash up and ordered some fever medicine through an app on her phone.


    Pressing her fingers to her aching temples, she tried to ease the pain. Her phone rang; she answered, voice hoarse. "Hello?"


    "Hi, your order''s here."


    "Give me a moment." She threw on a coat and went downstairs, out to the front gate, where the delivery driver handed her a yellow bag of medicine.


    She was just stepping back inside when she sawn at the door, adjusting his cufflinks, apparently about to leave. His eyesnded on the medicine bag in her hand.


    "Do you need to go to the hospital?" he asked.


    She replied coolly, "No. I can take care of myself."


    The message was clear-he could go.


    Just then,n''s phone rang. He answered, "Something came up at home. I won''t make it today."


    Eleanor frowned. If only he''d just leave.


    She went to get some water, sat at the table, and opened the medicine bag.


    "Don''t take those on an empty stomach. Let me make you something to eat,"n said quietly.


    But Eleanor ignored him, too tired to argue. She swallowed a few pills, grabbed some bread she''d bought for her daughter, and trudged upstairs.


    Behind her,n''s voice suddenly rang out, angry and sharp. "Eleanor, how long are you going to keep this up?"


    She exhaled slowly, turning to re down at him from the stairs.


    "Why do you care? It''s not like you give a damn if I live or die, do you?" Her voice was icy.


    Eleanor pressed her hand to her aching head, fighting for control. "No need. Whoever you wanted to save first was your choice. It doesn''t matter to me."


    "Don''t you want to know why I saved her first?"n''s voice was low, almost pleading.