Eleanor turned to her mother. "Mom, it''s so stuffy in here. I''m going to take Evelyn outside for a bit."


    "The concert''s about to start," Gina reminded her, her tone pointed.


    Eleanor pretended not to hear. Serena, growing annoyed, said, "Eleanor, it''s starting. Where are you taking Evelyn?"


    "Just outside to y," Eleanor replied, scooping her daughter into her arms and heading out with Joy.


    Gina pressed a hand to her chest, frustration tightening in her ribs. She''d hoped her granddaughter would stay and soak up a little culture.


    Xavier picked up his phone and said to Serena, "I''m stepping out to take a call." Serena froze. Why did Xavier leave just as Eleanor did?


    No, she told herself, shaking the thought away. Xavier was just taking a call- there was no way he was following Eleanor.


    Outside, the za bustled with vendors selling trinkets and little toys. Joy bought Evelyn two small toys, and the little girl''s delight was infectious.


    "Evelyn, do you want toe over to my ce and y?" Joy asked, a twinkle in her eyes.


    "Yes, please!" Evelyn''s face lit up. She took to Joy immediately, charmed by her generosity.


    Eleanor smiled, her eyes crinkling with amusement. As she looked up, she spotted a familiar figure walking toward them-Xavier.


    Remembering how he''d helped her earlier, Eleanor turned to Joy. "Could you watch Evelyn for a moment? I need to say hello to a friend."


    Joy nodded, watching Eleanor cross the za toward the tall man. He was too far away to make out his features, but there was no mistaking the air of old money and confidence about him.


    When Xavier saw Eleanor approach, he offered a gentle smile. "Didn''t hurt yourself earlier, did you?"


    "I''m fine. Thank you, Mr. Vaughn, for your help tonight," she replied, gratitude in her eyes.


    "It was nothing," Xavier said with a shrug. "Are you heading back inside?"


    "I''m taking my daughter to spend time at my friend''s ce," Eleanor exined. "Vivian''sing back next week," Xavier mentioned.


    Eleanor''s face brightened. "Really? That''s wonderful! Evelyn''s been missing her."


    A cool breeze swept across the za from all directions, tousling Eleanor''s hair just as her hair tie slipped loose. Her long hair tumbled down her back in a cascade, catching the wind and framing her face in soft, wild waves.


    Under the golden glow of the streetlights, Eleanor looked almost ethereal— mysterious and radiant, like a magnolia in moonlight.


    Xavier was momentarily transfixed.


    "Mommy!" Evelyn called from across the square.


    Eleanor waved to Xavier. "Goodnight, Mr. Vaughn."


    She bent down to search for her hair tie but couldn''t find it, so she hurried back to her daughter.


    As Xavier turned to leave, he felt something under his shoe. ncing down, he saw a pale blue hair tie at his feet. Eleanor''s.


    He stooped to pick it up, turning it over in the light before slipping it into his pocket as he walked toward the parking lot.


    At Joy''s house, Eleanor felt herself rx for the first time all day. Evelyn yed happily with her new toys while the two friends chatted over fresh herbal tea. The evening drifted by in easyfort.


    Later, when it was time to go, Evelyn didn''t want to leave, so Eleanor decided they''d spend the night at Joy''s.


    At ten o''clock, Eleanor''s phone chimed with a message.


    It was fromn.


    "When are youing home?"


    "I''m staying at my friend''s with Evelyn tonight," Eleanor texted back.


    "Do you want me to pick you up?"


    "No need. Evelyn wants to stay over, and you know she always gets her way," Eleanor replied, using her daughter as the perfect excuse.


    "Alright,"n replied simply.<fn6877> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? fin?novel</fn6877>