"Hey... Serena." Vanessa stumbled as Serena tugged her along.


    Magdalen sighed, then turned to Gina. "We''ll need a couple more dishes for dinner tonight."


    "Of course. I''ll go tell the kitchen right away." Gina finally rxed-Vanessa was staying after all.


    Everyone knew the real reason for the sudden change in Magdalen''s attitude:n''s casual remark earlier. He''d acted as though Vanessa''s presence was perfectly normal, which made Magdalen wonder if he''d invited her himself. If she insisted on sending Vanessa away now, she''d look petty and ungracious as the family matriarch.


    Eleanor drew her daughter close, tucking a stray curl behind Evelyn''s ear. In her little hands, Evelyn held two freshly picked daisies. "Mommy, smell these aren''t they lovely?"


    Eleanor bent down, inhaled the sweet scent, and smiled. "They smell wonderful."


    "They''re for you!" Evelyn announced, proudly offering the flowers before darting back into the garden on another treasure hunt,n following close behind, keeping a watchful eye.


    Magdalen caught Eleanor''s attention and lowered her voice. "Ellie, be honest with me. Did you andn get divorced because of Vanessa?"


    Eleanor was caught off guard. Even if Vanessa had been the reason, she had no desire to drag it out now. She shook her head. "No. Ian and I separated because we just weren''t right for each other."


    "Was it becausen was too busy? Did he neglect you?" Magdalen pressed.


    Eleanor shook her head again. "No, it''s just a matter of personality. We''re not a good match."


    Magdalen didn''t push further. She could tell Eleanor wasn''t going to say anything more, and she was left with nothing but regret at losing such a wonderful granddaughter-inw.


    Upstairs in Serena''s room, Vanessa sat slumped on the sofa, her brow furrowed with worry.


    "Oh, Vanessa, don''t take it to heart. My grandmother''s just old-fashioned-stuck in her ways," Serena consoled her.


    Vanessa mustered a faint smile and chided gently, "Don''t talk about your grandmother that way."


    "But it''s true! Besides, now that Eleanor and my brother are divorced, Gran''s going to be anxious for him to remarry. When that happens, she''ll be tripping over herself to have you in the family!"


    Vanessa''s eyes flickered, then sheughed softly.


    By six thirty, dinner was ready. The housekeeper came to invite Magdalen and Eleanor to the dining room.


    Soon after, Serena arrived, arm in arm with Vanessa. A momentter,n entered, carrying his daughter, her hands freshly washed. He ced Evelyn''s booster seat beside Eleanor and took the seat next to his daughter.


    Eleanor noticed how the house was filled with children''s toys and furniture— clearly, everything here had been arranged for Evelyn''sfort.


    “Ellie, here, have some of this soup. It''s made with wild mushrooms and chicken -so fragrant, so nourishing." Magdalen nodded to a maid, whodled a steaming bowl for Eleanor.


    "Gran, I want some too!" Serena piped up, a hint of jealousy in her voice. She was the granddaughter by blood, yet Eleanor always seemed to get special treatment it stung a little.


    "Of course, serve everyone a bowl," Magdalen said, making sure no one was left out.


    Eleanor spooned soup for her daughter, who was far more interested in her toy than her meal, fiddling with it even as she took reluctant sips.


    Vanessa sipped her soup with practiced grace, but suddenly pressed a hand to her mouth. She stood abruptly, apologizing, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."


    Rising quickly, she stifled another gag, her face pale.


    Gina and her mother-inw exchanged a knowing nce across the table. A


    smile flickered in Gina''s eyes-looked like the second grandson was finally on the way.