Maybe this wasn''s way of punishing her.


    After all, he was about to marry her sister, and by dumping a time-consuming, energy-draining job on her, he could make sure his ex-wife had no chance to disrupt their new life together.


    And best of all, it had driven a wedge between her and Joel. Now Joel couldn''t swoop in and help her keep up the genius act.


    It wouldn''t be long before everyone saw through her so-called brilliance.


    By four o''clock in the afternoon, Eleanor was racing to the preschool. She was ten minuteste, but when she arrived, she saw Xavier waiting with Vivian, both keeping Evelynpany.


    Eleanor hurried over to her daughter and knelt down, apologizing, "Evelyn, I''m so sorry. Mommy''ste."


    "It''s okay, Mommy. I know you''re busy with work. I''ll always wait for you," Evelyn said, her little face earnest as she looked up.


    Eleanor''s eyes stung with tears. When had her little girl be so understanding?


    She turned to Xavier. "Thank you, Mr. Vaughn. I really appreciate it."


    "No trouble at all," Xavier replied. "We should all look out for each other."


    They each gathered up their children and headed to their cars. Xavier buckled Vivian into her seat and, before starting the engine, nced in the rearview mirror


    at the white Porsche behind him, momentarily lost in thought.


    "Uncle, what are you waiting for? What are you looking at?" Vivian piped up, leaning close to his ear.


    Snapping back to reality, Xavier smiled. "Oh, nothing."


    Vivian cocked her head, grinning mischievously. "Are you spying on Ms. Sutton?"


    Xavier was caught off guard. "You little rascal, what do you know about that?" She giggled. "Do you have a crush on Ms. Sutton?"


    Xavier paused, startled. Was he that obvious? Even his five-year-old niece could tell?


    He justughed and changed the subject. "How about we go get something yummy to eat?"


    Meanwhile, Eleanor drove Evelyn home. Joslyn had dinner ready for them. Eleanor barely touched half her bowl before pushing it away. Joslyn noticed and asked gently, "Is the food not to your liking, ma''am?"


    Eleanor shook her head with a faint smile. "No, it''s not that. I just haven''t had much appetitetely."


    Whenever stress pressed down on her, her stomach was the first to suffer-and sometimes, a little hunger spurred her creativity.


    That night, on the balcony upstairs, the cool evening breeze tugged at her cardigan as she bent over herptop, sifting through experimental data. Princess, her golden retriever,y curled at her feet, asionally nudging her ankle with a wet nose.


    The next morning, as Eleanor helped Evelyn get dressed, her daughter sat on the couch, legs swinging. "Mommy, why doesn''t Daddy take me to school anymore?"


    Eleanor''s hands stilled, the shirt half-buttoned.


    Since the separation, this was the first time Evelyn had asked aboutn.


    She knelt down, meeting her daughter''s eyes. "Daddy''s been really busy with worktely, sweetheart. He''lle see you when he has time."


    "But the other kids'' dads pick them up every day. Why doesn''t mine?" Evelyn''s lip trembled, eyes shining with unshed tears. "Does Daddy not like me anymore?"


    Eleanor''s heart clenched tight in her chest.


    She stroked Evelyn''s hair. "Daddy loves you very much. He just has a lot to take care of right now. See? He''s given you so many presents."


    "But I want Daddy, not presents." Evelyn''s voice broke, and she suddenly burst into tears.


    Eleanor swept her daughter into her arms as emotions welled up inside her.


    "I want Daddy, I want Daddy!" Evelyn sobbed, tears and snot running down her cheeks as she clung to Eleanor, her cries echoing through the house.