"I''ve got time," Xavier said, sounding certain.


    "Alright." Eleanor nodded, then turned to her daughter. "Why don''t you chat with Vivian for a bit? Mommy has some work to do."


    "Okay! Don''t worry, Mom!" Evelyn grinned and hurried off to show Vivian her music box.


    Eleanor retreated to her study, quickly immersing herself in her research paper.


    The days that followed were a blur of experiments, data, and deadlines. Even on the weekend, Eleanor found herself heading to theb, this time with Evelyn tagging along for the first time. The little girl''s eyes widened as she stepped into the bright, bustling workspace, watching her mother slip on a crisp whiteb coat. In that moment, Evelyn thought her mom looked so powerful, almost untouchable. "Mom, you''re a real scientist!" Evelyn stared at Eleanor, awe shining in her eyes. Eleanor had achieved more than most could dream of, but she''d never talked much about her work in front of her daughter.


    Joel was off that day, so Eleanor had asked him to keep Evelynpany while she worked.


    Faye was also in theb, catching up on some projects. When she spotted Joel holding the hand of a little girl, she paused, surprised. "Joel, whose child is this?"


    "She''s Eleanor''s daughter," Joel replied.


    Faye''s gaze flicked from Joel to Evelyn, her expression a mix of curiosity and surprise. Evelyn''s features were a perfect blend of Eleanor andn-everyone always said daughters favored their fathers, and Evelyn was proof: striking eyes, delicate features, a hint of future beauty even at her age.


    Evelyn didn''t much care for the way Faye was looking at her. She tugged at Joel''s hand, whispering, "Mr. Kingsley, can we go outside?"


    Joel smiled indulgently. "Of course. Let''s see if we can find a spot on thewn."


    Faye shot Evelyn a frustrated look, her mood souring. Was Eleanor really bossing Joel around, asking him to babysit? Did Eleanor think Joel was already her future husband?


    That evening, Eleanor invited Joel to join them for dinner. Afterward, he drove mother and daughter home. As they pulled up to the house, a sleek ck Mercedes was parked authoritatively across the driveway, blocking the gate. "That''s Dad''s car!" Evelyn eximed, immediately recognizing it.


    Eleanor turned to Joel. "Thank you for today, Joel."


    "No problem at all," he said, genuinely pleased.


    The car door swung open, andn stepped out-tall and impably put together


    in a charcoal cashmere coat and a ck turtleneck, exuding an air of refined confidence.


    "Daddy!" Evelyn ran to him, arms outstretched.


    Joel nodded politely. "Mr. Goodwin. It''s been a while."


    He turned to Eleanor. "I''ll get going, then."


    Once Joel left, Evelyn wrapped her arms aroundn''s neck. "Daddy, Mr. Kingsley


    is really nice! He yed with me all afternoon."


    “Is that so?”n tapped her gently on the forehead. "Tomorrow, I''ll y with you myself."


    "Really?" Evelyn''s eyes sparkled, but then she paused, as if remembering something. "Daddy, can you spend Mom''s birthday with us?"


    Eleanor inwardly cringed, half-expecting her daughter''s question-she''d been especially outspokentely.


    "Evelyn, it''s time for a bath," Eleanor interjected.


    "Aww, okay," Evelyn pouted, but let herself be handed over.


    Eleanor scooped her daughter up and ushered her inside, then turned back to


    "Do you have any ns for your birthday?"n asked suddenly.


    Eleanor brushed her hair away from her face, voice cool. "Even if I did, you wouldn''t be invited."