Gwenda and Faye both raised their sses to toastn, but when it was Eleanor''s turn, she sat calmly, making no move to join in.


    It was obvious she had no intention of toasting him at all.


    An awkward silence settled over the table. Just then,n picked up his own ss and lifted it in Eleanor''s direction. "A toast to Miss Sutton," he said with a smile.


    "I''m sorry, but I don''t drink," Eleanor declined without hesitation.


    At that moment, his phone rang. He nced at the screen and answered. "She fell and had to be taken to the hospital? Which one?"


    Eleanor''s eyes flicked toward him. Ian stood up abruptly, concern etched on his face. "My grandmother''s in the hospital. I have to go."


    Everyone at the table stood asn gathered his things. As he passed behind Eleanor, the back of his hand brushed her shoulder-almost as if by ident. Eleanor picked up her purse and rose as well. "I need to leave too. Something''se up."


    She stepped out into the hallway and spottedn waiting just outside. His voice was low and urgent. "Come on. Gran will want to see you."


    Eleanor''s concern for Magdalen was genuine. At her age, a fall was no small matter.


    They left together, exchanging a quick nce as Faye and Gwenda shared a look of their own.<fn147f> Chapters first released on Find?Novel</fn147f>


    In the parking lot, Eleanor opened the passenger door and climbed inton''s car. The two of them drove off toward the hospital.


    Inside the hospital, Eleanor andn entered Magdalen''s room together. Gina and Serena were already there, and both looked surprised to see the pair arrive side by side.


    Weren''t they in the middle of a divorce?


    "Gran, are you all right? Where did you get hurt?" Eleanor asked, hurrying to her bedside.


    "It''s just a swollen leg, nothing serious," Magdalen replied, her tone reassuring.


    "I''ll hire a couple more helpers at home to look after you,"n said.


    Though Magdalen had taken a tumble, seeing her grandson and his wife show up together clearly brightened her mood.


    "Howe you two came together?" she asked with a smile.


    "We happened to be having dinner,"n answered smoothly.


    Serena shot Eleanor a re. They''re supposed to be getting divorced-why is she still hanging around her brother? Has she changed her mind? Is she trying to win him back?


    Gina had asked her son about the divorce not long ago, but all he''d said was that the paperwork was underway. He hadn''t mentioned a word about dividing assets.


    "All right, everyone out. I want a few words alone with Ellie," Magdalen said.


    Once the room had cleared, Magdalen took Eleanor''s hand warmly. "Sweetheart, even if you andn go through with the divorce, you''ll always be family to me. I''ll always think of you as my own granddaughter."


    Eleanor''s eyes grew misty. "Gran, promise me you''ll take care of yourself. You''re going to live to a ripe old age."


    After chatting for a while, Eleanor stood to leave. Magdalen turned ton. "Walk Ellie out, would you?"


    "That''s all right, Gran," Eleanor replied.


    "I''ll do it," Serena interjected quickly, linking arms with Eleanor as they walked down the corridor. After a few steps, Serena let go and lowered her voice. "Eleanor, you and my brother are getting divorced-why are you still clinging to him? Have you changed your mind?"


    Eleanor''s tone was icy. "Divorcing your brother is the best decision I''ve ever made."


    Serena was momentarily thrown. Was Eleanor really that determined?


    If Eleanor wasn''t chasing after her brother, then could it be the other way around? That didn''t seem possible.


    Eleanor turned and walked away, leaving Serena with questions still on her lips. How much of the estate had Eleanor demanded in the settlement? Then again, Serena thought, she already knew the answer. Eleanor had fought for custody of her daughter-clearly, just to get a bigger share.