The lighting was dim where Eleanor sat, so no one noticed her. Ian and Vanessa were ushered into another private booth nearby.


    Even though Eleanor was divorced now, the memories of the past six years withn were still painfully vivid.


    From the moment she''d fallen for him at first sight, through six years of marriage, Eleanor had always been the one to love first, to love more. Ian, on the other hand, seemed content to simply receive her affection.


    All those years, his feelings toward Eleanor were neither weing nor rejecting just passively nomittal.


    But now, watching with her own eyes asn doted on Vanessa, Eleanor finally realized: this man was capable of warmth, passion, and tender attentiveness. He could open up, just not to her.


    With Vanessa,n''s guarded heart seemed effortless to enter. For six years, Eleanor had tried and failed to find the key.


    She''d even consulted a therapist in private. The answer had been blunt:


    "Your husband may have emotional barriers. It''s possible no one will ever get close to him."


    Back then, Eleanor had been hopeful. But reality soon crushed that optimism. Weren''t lovers supposed to be like gardeners, nurturing each other with care? Now,n treated Vanessa like something precious, holding her close and cherishing her until she bloomed-radiant and beautiful.


    One was a business prodigy, the other a piano virtuoso. Even their titles sounded like they belonged together.


    Just then, Joy emerged from the restroom. Ian spotted her, raised an eyebrow, and stood up, heading straight for Eleanor''s table.


    Joy barely had time to slide into her seat beforen arrived. She flinched-she''d just spent the walk over muttering curses about him under her breath.


    As expected,n noticed Eleanor immediately.


    "Are you feeling any better?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of concern.


    Hearing that, Eleanor couldn''t help but let out augh.


    "Don''t trouble yourself," she replied coolly, lifting her head to meet his gaze.


    Vanessa appeared at his side, feigning surprise.


    "Oh, Eleanor! You''re here too?"


    Joy rolled her eyes. They''d hoped to find a quiet ce to eat, away from people they''d rather avoid, but fate had other ns-now, the two people they least wanted to see had shown up together.


    Not missing the chilly reception, Vanessa slipped her hand throughn''s arm and smiled sweetly.


    n, let''s get back to our table. We shouldn''t bother them," she said, a note of smugness in her voice.


    Joy mouthed an insult-Eleanor could read the words "shameless" on her lips. Eleanor couldn''t help butugh. Resting her chin in her hand, she said, "It''s fine. Let''s just eat."


    Whatevern was saying to Vanessa, it made herugh again and again—a bright, melodic sound that carried easily through the quiet dining room. Even the men at other tables looked over, drawn in spite of themselves.


    Joy stared at the table heaped with seafood and lost her appetite, grumbling under her breath.


    Eleanor forced herself to ignore Vanessa''sughter, but she couldn''t eat much either. Twenty minutester, the two women left the restaurant.


    The moment they got in the car, Joy couldn''t contain herself any longer.


    "What''s she so pleased about? Stealing someone''s leftovers-everyone knows men only behave when they''re kept on a short leash. Ifn''s cheated once, he''ll do it again. Give it time, and she''ll see other women lining up for their turn. Let''s see if she''s still smiling then!"


    Eleanor managed a faint smile. She knew better than anyonen was strict and disciplined, almost to a fault. He never let the animal side of him show; whether he''d ever stray again was impossible to predict.


    But one thing was certain: ifn stopped loving someone, he''d turn cold and ruthless, cutting them out of his life without a second thought.