Eleanor had just grabbed her bag whenn caught up to her. "I''ll go with you," he said.


    "That''s not necessary," she replied, her tone firm.


    Still, when Eleanor pulled out of the driveway and headed for the school,n''s car followed close behind.


    Worry for her daughter consumed her, leaving no room to care aboutn''s persistence. She sped all the way to the school, barely stopping before she jumped out and hurried inside.


    Once inside, Eleanor spotted Evelyn immediately. Her little girl was huddled on the floor, trembling uncontrobly, her hair a tangled mess, cheeks flushed, and tears streaming down her blotchy face. Her eyes-usually so bright-were dull and vacant.


    "Evelyn," Eleanor whispered, her own eyes filling with tears. She dropped to her knees and gently gathered her daughter into her arms. "I''m here, sweetheart. It''s okay. Don''t cry."


    "Mommy," Evelyn hupped, her voice raw, "what Coco said isn''t true, is it? You and Daddy aren''t getting divorced, right? I''m not an unwanted kid... I have both of you... I have Mommy and Daddy...." She broke down, sobbing so hard her words dissolved into whimpers.


    Each sound from her daughter was like a knife to Eleanor''s heart. She''d made the wrong choice years ago, and now Evelyn was suffering the consequences with her.


    "Evelyn, no matter what happens, you have to know-Mommy and Daddy will always love you,” Eleanor murmured, trying to soothe her.


    She had barely finished speaking when a deep voice sounded behind her. "Evelyn, Daddy''s here."


    Evelyn''s head snapped up. Relief and joy lit her tear-stained face as she wriggled free from Eleanor''s arms and threw herself atn. "Daddy! I missed you so much..."


    The teachers, sensing the family needed space, quietly stepped out of the room and closed the door behind them.


    Evelyn''s cheeks were still streaked with tears. Sniffling, she looked up atn. "Daddy, is it true? Are you really divorcing Mommy?"


    Eleanor''s whole body tensed. She looked from Evelyn ton, holding her breath.n gently wiped Evelyn''s tears away, his expression serious. "Yes, your mom and I are getting divorced. But even if we live apart, we both love you very much. That will never change."


    Eleanor felt a sharp stab of pain, sharper than she''d expected. Clearly,n could be even more resolute than she was.


    But keeping the truth from Evelyn was no longer an option.


    "No... I don''t want you to get divorced! Please don''t get divorced!" Evelyn wailed, breaking downpletely. She sobbed so hard she could barely breathe.


    Eleanor pulled her back into her arms, stroking her back. "Shh, sweetheart... It''s okay. Mommy''s here..."


    Half an hourter, still nestled against her mother, Evelyn''s sobs finally faded as exhaustion overtook her, and she fell asleep.


    Eleanor, arms full of her sleeping daughter, didn''t protest. She slid inton''s car. They had only been on the road for two minutes when the car''s Bluetooth chimed.


    Vanessa''s name lit up on the dashboard.


    Without hesitation,n pressed decline.


    Eleanor turned her face away, looking out the window in silence.


    Vanessa didn''t call again. Soon,n pulled up in front of Eleanor''s house.


    Eleanor carried Evelyn inside and hurried upstairs. After tucking her daughter into bed, she straightened up-only to be hit by a sudden wave of dizziness, whether from nerves or sheer exhaustion she couldn''t say.


    She swayed, but before she could fall, a strong, steady arm caught her around the waist.


    "I want to be here when Evelyn wakes up,"n said quietly.


    At that moment, his phone chimed with a text. He nced at the screen, and his expression darkened. Turning to Eleanor, he said, "Something''se up. Take care of Evelyn for me."


    Without waiting for a reply,n strode out the door.