A subtle shift crossed Magdalen''s face; she hadn''t expected Vanessa to be


    pregnant already.


    Eleanor, having witnessed Vanessa''s morning sickness before, wasn''t surprised. She simply continued feeding her daughter some nourishing soup.


    n, go check on Vanessa," Gina prompted her son.


    He stood up and left the table.


    This time, Serena didn''t rush after him to take care of Vanessa. She wasn''t particrly sensitive to these things and just assumed Vanessa really wasn''t feeling well-better to let her brother handle it.


    She snuck a nce at Eleanor, curious if she''d spot any jealousy or bitterness on her face. But Eleanor''s expression remained unreadable.


    Of course, anyone could keep a neutral face. But could you really fake the pain inside? Watching the man you once loved show concern for someone else what woman could be unaffected by that?


    In the bathroom, Vanessa washed her hands, smoothed back her hair, and allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. As she opened the door to leave, she startedn was waiting right outside.


    n?"


    "Are you alright?" he asked.


    "I''m fine, just choked a bit," Vanessa replied, pressing a hand to her stomach.


    They returned to the dining room together. Gina pointed to a tangy sd. "Vanessa, try this-it''s great for the appetite."


    Ginaughed, then had the housekeeper rearrange the dishes, setting the lighter fare closer to Vanessa.


    Vanessa took a bite, and as she looked up, her eyes met Eleanor''s across the table. She offered a gentle smile one that, to everyone else, seemed perfectly polite, but to Eleanor, carried an unmistakable hint of triumph.


    To the rest of the family, it was just Vanessa''s usual smile. Only Eleanor could read the message beneath it: the confidence of a winner.


    When dinner finally ended, Eleanor gathered her daughter to head home for a bath. Magdalen turned ton. "Why don''t you see Ellie and Evelyn out?"


    "No need, Grandma. I''ll walk home with Evelyn, maybe take her by the store." At this, Evelyn bounced up, delighted. "Mom, can we go to the store?"


    And just like that, Eleanor managed to distract her daughter and slip away. Serena stayed inside as well, asking her older brother to walk Vanessa out instead.


    Back in the living room, Gina''s good mood was obvious. She nced at her mother-inw and sighed. "Thank goodness we had Vanessa stay for dinner. Otherwise... well, maybe I''m overthinking it."


    Magdalen muttered, "No engagement, no wedding yet, andn''s got her pregnant. It just isn''t proper."


    "These days, it''s normal for young people to have the baby first and the wedding after," Gina replied. "All I want now is a healthy grandson."


    The mention of a grandson struck a chord with Magdalen. She still held onto some old-fashioned hopes, not that she was obsessed with having a boy, but it would mean a Goodwin son to inherit the family business one day.


    Gina''s spirits soared the more she thought about it. She''d always wished for her son to marry Vanessa; now, withn divorced from Eleanor, that dream was finally within reach.


    And with Vanessa expecting, her wish for a big, healthy grandson might soone true.


    Sometimes, life really did deliver everything you hoped for at once.


    Thursday arrived. Eleanor had already told the teacher she''d pick up Evelyn at twelve-thirty.


    Later that afternoon, Vanessa went to the school at two to greet Evelyn, only to find out she''d already been signed out. Vanessa paused, realizing Eleanor must have deliberately arranged for her daughter to avoid her.


    On Friday, Eleanor textedn, asking him to take Evelyn for the weekend-she was heading to Kingston for a business conference.