Eleanor hadn''t realized just how fierce the wind was outside until now. She and Joel hurried into the lobby, heading straight for the elevators.


    She couldn''t quite wrap her head around it-why wouldn stand out there smoking in this freezing wind?


    Not that she had the time or energy to puzzle over that man''s thoughts anymore.


    Whatever he did was none of her business now.


    Back in her room, Eleanor took a hot shower, then reviewed her notes from the day''s meeting. Suddenly, her doorbell rang.


    She figured it was probably Joel needing something and didn''t think much of it as she reached out to open the door.


    But standing there was her ex-husband,n.


    Her expression iced over. She kept the door open just a crack and asked tly, "What is it?"


    "I have Evelyn on the line for you."n held up his phone and put it on speaker. Evelyn''s sweet, childish voice piped up, “Mommy? Mommy, is that you?"


    At the sound of her daughter''s gentle voice, Eleanor''s heart softened. She took the phone fromn and answered, "It''s Mommy. Why aren''t you asleep yet?"


    "I''m not tired. I miss you and Daddy."


    Eleanor walked back into her room, phone pressed to her ear. She hadn''t taken more than a few steps when she heard the door close behind her. She turned;n hade in as well.


    Annoyed, Eleanor spoke to her daughter, "Evelyn, it''ste. You should get some sleep now. I''ll bring you a present when I get back."


    "Yay! That means I''ll get two gifts-one from you and one from Daddy! I''m so happy!" Evelyn giggled,pletely unaware of why her parents'' gifts always arrived separately.


    "Good girl. Get some rest, okay? Mommy will be home after the meetings."


    "Okay, Mommy! I love you both!" Evelyn chirped, and hung up.


    Eleanor handedn''s phone back to him. "Here."


    He took it, eyes lingering on her. Only then did Eleanor realize she was wearing just her pajamas—no bra, as was her habit at home. In the past, she''d never given it a second thought, walking around like this in front of him. Now, she crossed her arms over her chest, ring at him in warning.


    "What are you staring at?"


    After he left, Eleanor finally let out a sigh of relief.


    The next day''s meetings wrapped up at three in the afternoon. After a group photo, everyone went their separate ways.


    Eleanor and Joel bumped into Byron''s assistant in the hotel lobby. "Miss Sutton, Dr. Kingsley-there''s a car waiting to take you both to the airport."


    "That''s not necessary, we''ll just grab a cab," Eleanor replied.


    "Mr. Chase insisted," the assistant said, looking ufortable.


    Eleanor and Joel exchanged a nce; she gave a resigned nod. "Alright, we''ll just go upstairs and grab our bags."


    When they came down, Byron and his team were waiting in the lobby, butn was nowhere in sight.


    Byron exined, "Mr. Goodwin has other business here. He''ll be staying another three days."


    Eleanor felt a rush of relief. On the drive to the airport, she let herself rx and scrolled through short videos on her phone. Suddenly, a fan ount for Vanessa popped up.


    The video was freshly uploaded—Vanessa, waving her boarding pass at a group of fans.


    "What''s our goddess up to today?"


    "She''s headed to Kingston. Word is, she''s been invited to the g this year."


    "Wow! Even from behind she looks stunning and sexy. Totally love her-she''s killing it!"


    Eleanor recalledn would be staying in Kingston for three more days. So, he was waiting for Vanessa. No doubt he''d be keeping herpany and talking business at the g.