"I''m working. Don''t bother me unless it''s urgent." Eleanor''s tone was icier than before as she hung up.


    She really was swamped-two hours spent cultivating live samples, and now she had to monitor every bit of data withser focus.


    Tossing her phone aside, Eleanor dove back into her research. She didn''t stop until deep into the night, when Joel finally came to call it quits. Only then did she finish the round of tests and hand the data over to him.


    "Just as we expected," she said.


    "Methylmercury is a small molecule. It travels through the bloodstream into the brain, eating away at neural cells. Over time, it breaches the blood-brain barrier, which is what causes the symptoms we''re seeing."


    Joel hadn''t expected her to crack another problem in such a short time. He noticed the exhaustion in her bloodshot eyes and said quietly, "You need to get some rest."


    Eleanor nodded. "You should get some sleep too."


    Stepping out of theb into the cool night air, her phone buzzed again. This time,n''s name shed on the screen.


    She picked up. "Hello?"


    "When are youing home?"n''s voice was unreadable.


    "I''m staying in the student dorm tonight." Eleanor answered and hung up.


    He didn''t call again. Eleanor showered and went straight to bed.


    ***


    The next day, Eleanor got a call from Magdalen, inviting her home for dinner. The warmth in her heart was instant; her mother-inw had been keeping her away for everyone''s safety, and Eleanor missed her daughter desperately.


    "Of course, Grandma. I''ll be there for dinner," she promised.


    After work, Eleanor left theb at five, stopped by a market for some fruit and a little present for her daughter, and arrived at Goodwin Manor right on time at six- thirty.


    "Mama! Mama!" Evelyn''s excited voice rang out as she came running from the living room. Eleanor''s eyes stung with tears as she scooped her daughter into her arms. "Did you miss me?"


    "I did!"


    "Mom, you were sick! Daddy wouldn''t let mee see you. Are you okay now?" Evelyn''s little face was twisted with worry.


    Eleanor brushed a hand over her daughter''s hair. "I''m fine now, sweetheart. All better."


    She pulled out the gift she''d brought, and Evelyn gave her a happy kiss on the cheek. "You''re the best, Mom!"


    Suddenly, Evelyn''s eyes sparkled with a new thought. She pressed close and whispered, "Mom, Mrs. Shannon''s concert ising up! Can we go cheer her on together?"


    Eleanor hesitated, but she couldn''t disappoint her daughter. Smiling, she said, "Mom''s starving-let''s go inside and eat, okay?"


    Just then, Evelyn pointed outside. "Daddy''s home too!"


    Eleanor turned, still holding Evelyn''s hand, and saw a ck Rolls-Royce pull up beside her car. Ian stepped out, looking sharp in a dark shirt and tailored trousers, his presence somehow both aloof andmanding.


    "Daddy!" Evelyn ran to him, andn''s frosty expression melted as he leaned down to take her hand. He nced at Eleanor and said, "Come on, let''s go in."


    Eleanor followed him inside, where Magdalen waved her over from the sofa. "Ellie,e sit with me and chat for a while."


    Eleanor sat beside her mother-inw and told her the whole story of how she''d fallen ill. Magdalen, who kept up with the news every day, said, "I heard the outbreak''s under control back home now. Thank goodness for that new drug."


    Eleanor nodded. "Yes, with the new medicine, we can get the illness under control within three days. It keeps patients from getting seriously ill."


    Magdalen looked her over, frowning. "You''ve lost so much weight. Hasn''tn been taking care of you?"


    "Grandma, the virus was so contagious-I had to iste for treatment," Eleanor exined.


    Magdalen pressed on. "Well, did he at least get you a gift to make up for it?" "That''s not really necessary, Grandma," Eleanor said, shaking her head. "Nonsense. After dinner,n''s taking you out to pick something nice for yourself. Anything you want, no matter the cost-it''s on him." Magdalen dered.<fnfe2c> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find?novel</fnfe2c>


    She eyed the two of them, more convinced than ever that something was off. She''d never seen a couple so cold with each other.