"I don''t want to go to bed yet! I want to wait and sleep with Daddy," Evelyn pouted, then burst into a giggle as she threw herself into his arms. The camera spun for a moment before settling onn''s expression-helpless, but utterly indulgent.


    It was clear: Evelyn was tucked securely in his embrace.


    He froze for a split second, then his features smoothed out as if nothing had happened.


    He shifted his position, and as he moved, his shirt tightened, outlining the strong lines of his chest.


    "It''ste, sweetheart. If you don''t go to bed now, you''ll never grow tall!"n teased, gently pinching his daughter''s cheek, his voice impossibly soft.


    He turned his attention back to the phone. "You''re still up too?" he asked.


    Eleanor''s voice came through the video, cool and clipped. "I was just about to go to bed."


    Just then,n''s phone rang. Evelyn piped up loudly, "Daddy, you have a call! It''s Miss Vanessa-"


    The video call cut off abruptly.


    Eleanor wasn''t sure if her daughter had identally hung up, or ifn had ended the call himself.


    Her breath caught. Wasn inviting Vanessa to spend the night at his ce?


    The thought sent a hot surge of anger through her chest. If he didn''t have time to be there for his daughter, then he had no right to take her away.


    Fuming, Eleanor dialedn''s number. The screen showed he was already on another call.


    Jaw clenched, she got up, changed quickly, and headed out the door. She was going to get her daughter back.


    “Ma''am, where are you going at this hour?" Joslyn, already in her pajamas, looked at Eleanor in startled confusion as she rushed for the door.


    "I''m going to bring Evelyn home," Eleanor said, grabbing her car keys from the entryway and storming outside.


    The night air struck her face, sharp with winter''s chill.


    She yanked open the car door and slid into the driver''s seat, her fingers trembling with anger-she hadn''t been this furious in years.


    With a roar, her white Cayenne shot out of the garage like an arrow. Eleanor gripped the steering wheel, her daughter''s innocent voice echoing in her mind "Miss Vanessa”—and a heavy ache pressed against her chest.


    "Damn it!" she muttered, mming her fist against the wheel, barely holding it together.


    She rolled down her window, letting the cold wind whip through the car, desperate to clear the ugly images spinning in her head. Vanessa, spending the night at the Goodwin house? While Evelyn was there? How couldn?


    Even if he had his needs—couldn''t he restrain himself for just one night?


    Eleanor pressed harder on the gas, the speedometer climbing quickly past fifty miles an hour.


    The car''s Bluetooth chimed.


    She jabbed the answer button.


    His voice filled the car, clear and steady. "Did you just try to call me?"


    "I''ming to take Evelyn home," Eleanor replied, her voice icy.


    There was a beat of silence. "Now? It''s almost eleven."


    She ended the call without another word.


    She didn''t care if he wanted to move on, but she would never let him parade a new rtionship in front of their daughter.


    Evelyn was young and didn''t understand now, but one day she would-and those memories could scar her forever.


    The city streets blurred past, cold and deserted as Eleanor sped toward the house.


    When she reachedn''s vi, she mmed the car door and strode up to the ornate front door she knew so well.


    She''d lived here for six years. Now, standing before it, her heart twisted with bitterness.


    She reached to ring the bell, but the face recognition system lit up and a gentle, automated voice greeted her: "Wee home." There was a click, and the door unlocked.


    She hesitated for a moment. Ian hadn''t removed her from the entry system.


    Inside, she foundn waiting for her on the living room sofa.


    She clenched her jaw. "Where''s Evelyn?"


    "She''s already asleep," he said, rising to his feet.


    She brushed past him. "I''m taking her home."


    alone at this hour."


    Eleanor pulled her arm free. "I''m taking her, regardless."


    He frowned. "Why do you have to take her now?"


    She stared at him, then let out a humorlessugh. "You seriously don''t know why? Move."


    He scowled. "Vanessa isn''t here."


    Eleanor''s eyes shed with anger. n, you can do whatever you want with her,


    but don''t unt it in front of my daughter. If you do, I swear you''ll never see Evelyn again."


    With that, Eleanor headed upstairs.


    She gently woke her daughter, who blinked up in surprise. "Mommy? What are you doing here?"


    "I came to bring you home," Eleanor said softly.


    "Why?"


    "I can''t sleep without you in my arms," Eleanor replied, ruffling her daughter''s hair.


    Evelyn hugged her neck. "Then I''ll go home with you, Mommy!"


    "Good girl." Eleanor kissed her, helped her into her coat, and carried her downstairs. In the hallway,n watched them, his expression unreadable. "Let me drive you two home," he offered, voice low.


    "No, thanks," Eleanor said tly.


    "Bye, Daddy!" Evelyn waved her little hand.


    into her car seat. His gaze lingered on Eleanor. "Drive safe."


    Eleanor pressed the gas pedal, desperate to put as much distance between herself andn as she could.