After finishing her words, Eleanor stepped outside to join her daughter.


    Dinner that evening was at a bistro near their home. The family of three sat by a window overlooking the street, enjoying the soft glow of the setting sun. Halfway through the meal, Eleanor''s phone buzzed. She nced at the screen: an unfamiliar international number. Her first thought was that it must be a scam call.


    She ignored it.


    A minuteter, a notification popped up on Skype-a request to add her as a contact. This, she epted.


    Almost immediately, a message appeared, brimming with enthusiasm. "Hi, Miss Sutton! Let me introduce myself—I''m Noah, from the Drexford Hawkins Research Team. I work in medical research. May I have the pleasure of getting to know you?"


    Eleanor recognized the name. Noah had a solid reputation in the field, and she''d always admired his work.


    "Hello, Noah, I''m Eleanor. It''s a pleasure to meet you," she replied.


    They exchanged a few lively messages, and as they chatted,n''s gaze drifted over. He saw Eleanor smiling, a soft, unconscious curve at her lips, clearly delighted by the conversation.


    "Mom, who are you talking to?" Evelyn piped up.


    "A new friend I just met," Eleanor said, still smiling.


    Just then, Eleanor''s phone rang again—another international number. She couldn''t help but chuckle; clearly, the previous call had been Noah trying to reach her.


    She picked up her phone and turned ton. "I''m just going to take this call," she said.


    Eleanor stepped out into the corridor, answering the call. On the other end, Noah introduced himself again, his voice warm and engaging. They hit it off immediately, and what was meant to be a quick call stretched to more than ten minutes.


    By the end of the conversation, Noah was so enthusiastic that he decided to fly in a week early to attend the academic exchange at Ashford University. Eleanor, representing the university, dly weed him.


    Returning to her seat, Eleanor couldn''t hide the contentment lighting up her face.


    Evelyn noticed too. "Mommy, what are you so happy about?" she asked with innocent curiosity.


    Eleanor smiled. "I''m just happy I''ve made a new friend."


    After dinner, on the drive home, Eleanor''s phone kept buzzing with messages from Noah. He''d sent over several of his published research papers, asking for her thoughts.


    Back at home, Evelyn yed nearby while Eleanor curled up with her iPad, diving into a deep academic discussion with Noah. Their exchange was effortless, as if they were old colleagues, sharing ideas and insights without reservation.


    "Mom, I need to use the bathroom," Evelyn called out.


    Setting the iPad aside, Eleanor took her daughter''s hand and led her down the hall.


    Meanwhile,n came downstairs and noticed the ongoing chat left open on the sofa. Curiosity got the better of him, and he picked up the iPad, scrolling through the conversation. He was surprised to see just how wide-ranging their discussion wasplex medical theories, nuanced debates. Noah''s admiration for Eleanor was obvious, his praise effusive.


    Just then, Evelyn''sughter echoed from the hallway. Ian set the iPad down and walked over to make some tea.


    A few minutester, Eleanor returned to the sofa, iPad in hand, and resumed her lively conversation with Noah. Her former colleague''s wit and humor had herughing out loud more than once.


    Eleanor nced at the cup out of the corner of her eye but didn''t reach for it. Her attention remained on the conversation, her spirits lifted in a way she hadn''t felt in a long time.<fn6c98> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn6c98>