Eleanor had sworn never to meddle inn''s future rtionships-as long as he kept his disys of affection away from their daughter.


    Lately, she''de to realize that her little girl wasn''t so little anymore. Evelyn was no longer a toddler; she had be sensitive, picking up on things more easily


    now.


    Eleanor clenched her fists, bracing herself for the inevitable. Better to rip the bandage off quickly than let things drag on. She resolved to find the right moment soon and tell Evelyn the truth about the divorce.


    The next morning at nine, a bright red Ferrari pulled up outside the preschool. Vanessa had rearranged her schedule, moving her Thursday ss to Wednesday morning so she could be there.


    "Mrs. Shannon! It''s you!" Evelyn ran over, her face lighting up. "Are you here to teach us piano today?"


    "That''s right! Come here, give me a hug." Vanessa opened her arms.


    With her elegant outfit, wless makeup, and natural beauty, Vanessa was every child''s favorite. The other kids looked on enviously as Vanessa scooped Evelyn up in a warm embrace.


    Evelyn''s wide eyes sparkled, barely able to contain her delight.


    During piano ss, Vanessa had Evelyn sit beside her at the piano,vishing her with the kind of special attention only a beloved teacher could give. Five-year-old Evelyn''s eyes shone with admiration and affection, her hero-worship for Vanessa reignited.


    If you wanted to win a child''s heart, there was no better role than that of a teacher.


    Vanessa''s lips curled into a satisfied smile. As she was leaving, she ruffled Evelyn''s hair and leaned down. "Evelyn, don''t tell your mom I came to see you today, okay? She might not be too happy about it."


    "Why not?"


    "Because your mom doesn''t really like me."


    "But you''re so pretty and so nice! Why wouldn''t my mom like you?"


    Vanessa gave a cryptic smile. "Well... you''re still young. You''ll understand when you''re older."


    "Okay!"


    "Come on, pinky promise and seal it!" Vanessa said, invoking the little ritual they''d shared before.


    Evelyn stuck out her pinkie, linking it with Vanessa''s and stamping her thumb on top. Only then did Vanessa leave, satisfied.


    Meanwhile, in theb, Eleanor was in a white coat, busy with her experiments. Callie assisted her, while outside the window, two figures approached—theb was being inspected by Simone andn.


    Just then, Eleanor''s phone rang. She stepped out to answer, ncing through the ss at the man outside. Her expression cooled.


    But the call was from her daughter''s teacher. Eleanor quickly pushed open theb door. "Hello, Miss Alice? Is something wrong with Evelyn?"


    "Mrs. Goodwin, there was a little incident. Evelyn had an argument with a ssmate, and afterward she heard something that upset her. She''s been crying ever since and keeps asking for you. I thought I should let you know."


    Eleanor''s heart tightened. "What did she hear?”


    "She found out about your divorce."


    Eleanor felt a dull roar in her head. Her daughter had learned about the divorce- from another child?


    "Which ssmate told her?" she pressed.


    "It was Coco. The two of them were talking, and Coco identally let it slip. After that, Evelyn couldn''t stop crying. It''s been almost half an hour and nothing we say can calm her down."


    Eleanor''s breath caught. “Thank you, I''lle to the school right away.”


    She hung up and turned to findn standing behind her.


    "What happened to Evelyn?" he asked, concern in his eyes.


    "She found out about the divorce at school. She''s been crying." Eleanor''s face


    was nk as she answered. Without waiting for a response, she slipped back into theb to give Callie instructions before heading to her office.