That evening, Eleanor tucked the divorce certificate into her locked drawer. Her daughter loved rummaging through things at home, and she couldn''t risk losing it.


    Later, she cuddled her sweet little girl, the child''s warmth afort that wrapped around her worries. That night, Eleanor slept deeply, her dreams gentle and bright.


    The next morning, a particrlyplicated case required Eleanor and Gwenda to make a personal visit.


    Downtown General Hospital.


    As they stepped out of a patient''s room into the main lobby, Gwenda''s eyes suddenly lit up. Even with a mask on, the woman ahead of them stood out-her posture, her elegance, unmistakable. She was stunning, the kind of beauty who turned heads without trying.


    Gwenda gasped, covering her mouth in surprise. "Eleanor, isn''t that Vanessa?"


    Eleanor, distracted by her own thoughts, nced where Gwenda was pointing. In an instant, she recognized Vanessa as well.


    They watched as Vanessa headed down the hall-straight toward the maternity wing. Gwenda''s heart skipped a beat. Was Vanessa there for a prenatal checkup?


    Gwenda''s curiosity was insatiable, always eager for a good story. Now, she was nearly bursting with it.


    "Eleanor, wait for me here by the entrance, okay? I need to use the restroom," she said, but before Eleanor could answer, Gwenda all but sprinted after Vanessa.


    Five minutester, a slightly breathless Gwenda found Eleanor in the parking lot. She nced at her friend with a mixture of sympathy and excitement. "Eleanor, guess which department Vanessa went into?"


    Eleanor didn''t need to guess.


    "The maternity ward," Gwenda confirmed, watching Eleanor''s face for a reaction.


    It was a twist almost too dramatic to believe-Vanessa, Faye''s older sister, was the very woman who''de between Eleanor and her ex-husband. Fate had a twisted sense of humor.


    With someone as dazzling as Vanessa, what man wouldn''t be tempted? Evenn, steady and rational as he''d always seemed, had let go of his marriage for her. Clearly, Vanessa had a way of making men lose their heads.


    "Am I being nosy?" Gwenda said with a self-deprecatingugh.


    "Let''s just head back," Eleanor replied quietly.


    Back at theb, Dr. Lyman called an impromptu meeting. Apparently, pressure wasing down fromn''s side-he wanted the research team to pick up the pace and show tangible progress before year''s end.


    Simone, the team lead, felt the strain too, though she hid it well behind her usual confidence.


    "Ellie, do you have time to work extra hours this week?" Simone asked.


    Eleanor thought for a moment, then nodded. "I can do three evenings a week."


    "Good. Everyone, let''s give it our best. Mr. Goodwin is eager to see results, and we don''t want to let him down."


    Eleanor didn''t know whyn suddenly demanded faster progress, but as the project''s main investor, he had every right to push them as he saw fit.


    Whether this was aimed at someone in particr, Eleanor couldn''t say. But one thing was clear: her work hours were about to increase, and overtime would be her new normal.


    She let out a silent sigh. Juggling her daughter and her job would require all her strength. Still, she wasn''t about to give up her career-especially not this one. This research was her father''s legacy, the dream he''d left behind. She was determined to see it through, no matter whatn decided.


    That evening, Eleanor had dinner with her daughter and Joy. When Joy returned from the restroom, she leaned in close, speaking in a conspiratorial whisper.


    "Guess who I just saw?"


    Eleanor raised an eyebrow. "Who?"


    "Ian. He''s here, in private dining room eight. I caught a glimpse it looked like he


    was having dinner with Vanessa and her mother." Joy kept her voice low.


    Eleanor gave a cold littleugh to herself. Fresh off the divorce and already meeting Vanessa''s family-he certainly didn''t waste any time.