"Let''s make sure we don''t run into them on the way out—it''d just ruin your mood," Joy said.


    Eleanor, however, didn''t feel disgusted. She just didn''t want her daughter to see them.


    At that moment, Evelyn put down her toy and piped up, "Mommy, I need to go potty."


    Eleanor lifted her from the high chair and took her to the restroom.


    As soon as Eleanor carried her daughter into a stall, she heard footsteps approaching from outside.


    Then a phone rang. A middle-aged woman answered, her voice echoing in the tiled room.


    "Hello?"


    "He absolutely dotes on our daughter!"


    "Just now! Vanessa said she wasn''t feeling well, and he got so worried. He treats our girl like she''s made of ss."


    In the stall, Eleanor''s expression shifted. So, the woman chatting away on the phone was Vanessa''s mother.


    "They''re divorced,pletely done. He''s just waiting to marry Vanessa now!"


    "I''m not in the mood to ask about your project today. Let Vanessa handle that, alright? Don''t worry." The woman let out a delightedugh. "He''s about to be your son-inw-what business deal could he possibly say no to?"


    "Mommy, I''m finished," Evelyn whispered, blinking up at her mother, wondering why she hadn''t opened the door yet.


    Eleanor finally opened the stall. At the sink stood a well-dressed, affluent-looking woman washing her hands. In the mirror, Eleanor caught sight of her dazzling jewelry—a ne strung with vibrant emeralds that must have cost a fortune. On her wrist, a thick amethyst bracelet glittered. Clearly,n was sparing no expense to take care of Vanessa and her mother.


    The woman nced at Eleanor''s reflection, but didn''t seem to recognize her. Maybe she''d seen Eleanor''s photo before, but face-to-face, she didn''t make the connection. Besides, her mind was probably too preupied with her daughter''s imminent entry into high society to notice anyone else.


    Eleanor washed Evelyn''s hands, then returned to their private dining room. Joy was already settling the bill.


    "Let''s go how about a little window shopping at the mall?"


    Eleanor scooped up Evelyn again. Just as they stepped into the hallway, that same middle-aged woman emerged from the next private room. Eleanor instinctively pressed her daughter''s head to her chest, shielding her from the sight ofn inside.


    Even so, a pang of bitterness tightened in Eleanor''s chest. Her daughter had always been showered with love by the entire Goodwin family.


    Soon, she''d have a little sister, and a brother too, plus a father who was bing more and more distant...


    That was something Eleanor could never make up for.


    After strolling through the mall, they headed home. Evelyn fell asleep in Eleanor''s arms on the way, and Eleanor hugged her close. Right now, she needed to be strong-strong enough to give her daughter the sense of security she deserved.


    That evening, as Eleanor worked in the garden, reviewing thetestb results, her phone lit up with a message.


    It was fromn.


    "I know work''s getting busy for you. I can help take care of Evelyn if you need."


    Eleanor frowned at the message. Wasn pushing her to work harder just so he could have more time with their daughter?


    No. More likely, he just wanted Evelyn and Vanessa to bond.


    A faint, wry smile tugged at Eleanor''s lips. Even if it meant workingte with her daughter at her side, she''d never hand Evelyn over to him.


    Apart from his eight scheduled visitations each month, she wasn''t letting him take their daughter anywhere.


    She replied simply, "No need. I can take care of her."


    "Thank you for your hard work."


    Those words, Eleanor thought, couldn''t have sounded more insincere.