Simone smiled warmly. "Alright, why don''t you all take your seats?"


    The opera was enthralling-Simone was clearly enjoying herself, but Eleanor''s mind kept drifting. All she wanted was for the evening to end, so she could pick up her daughter and head home.


    When the curtain finally fell, Eleanor dropped Simone off at her house, then drove straight to Goodwin Manor.


    She had barely set foot inside whenn arrived as well.


    "Dad, Mom-did youe home together?" Evelyn''s eyes sparkled with delight; it had been so long since she''d seen her parents walk through the door at the same time.


    "Evelyn, it''s about time I took you home," Eleanor said gently.


    "Mom, can I stay with Grandma tonight? I haven''t slept in her room for ages." Evelyn blinked up at her with pleading eyes.


    Eleanor, who could be steely with anyone else, found her resolve crumbling in front of her daughter. After working so hard to win Evelyn''s trust back, she was terrified of losing her again.


    "Please, Mom," Evelyn whispered.


    Eleanor hesitated. Tomorrow was Saturday. Finally, she nodded. "Alright, you can stay. I''lle pick you up tomorrow afternoon, and we''ll go to Miss Thatcher''s


    house for a visit, okay?"


    Evelyn beamed. "Okay!"


    Eleanor stood and headed upstairs to check on Magdalen, and to return the bank card she''d been carrying around in her purse.


    Magdalen was recovering well. When Eleanor handed her the card, she looked genuinely surprised. "Ellie, this is for you. Why are you giving it back?"


    "Thank you for your kindness, Grandma, but I don''t need the money right now. Please, keep it." With that, Eleanor ced the card on the table and turned to leave.


    "Oh, you stubborn childe back here,e back..." Magdalen called after her anxiously, but her legs weren''t what they used to be, and all she could do was watch as Eleanor walked away.


    Eleanor hurried back downstairs. Gina intercepted her. "It''ste-letn drive you home."<fn1f04> Readplete version only at FιndＮovel</fn1f04>


    Eleanor shook her head. "That''s okay, Mom. Please take care of Evelyn for me." With that, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door.


    Frustrated—especially since it had been working just fine earlier-she barely noticed whenn tapped on her window.


    "Let me give you a ride," he said.


    Eleanor stepped out with her bag. "No need. I''ll call a cab."


    "It''s nearly eleven. It''s not safe for you to be out alone right now,"n said, brows knitted in concern.


    Eleanor knew he was right, but she hated the idea of epting his help. "It''s none of your business," she shot back, turning to leave.


    She tried to pull free, but his grip was unyielding. Annoyed, she snapped, n, spare me your fake concern. I don''t need it."


    Eleanor scoffed, yanking her hand away. "I never should have married you," she said with a coldugh.


    She ordered a ride and slid into the back of the car. As her cab pulled away, a sleek ck sedan followed closely behind.


    Eleanor called Joy, hoping to crash at her ce for the night. Joy was more than happy to have her.


    While taking out the trash, Joy nced toward the entrance and spotted Eleanor stepping out of her ride. She couldn''t help but notice the powerful ck car idling nearby, its driver''s face obscured by shadows behind the wheel.