That night, Eleanor finally drifted into a peaceful sleep, her daughter curled up in her arms.


    Early the next morning, messages from both Xavier and Mansfield Ellington arrived. Xavier congratted her on winning the award at the medical conference the previous night. He was away on business, and Vivian had already been taken back to her grandmother''s house overseas. Xavier promised to treat her to dinner when he returned home.


    Mansfield Ellington, on the other hand, was already on his way to pick her up.


    That morning, Eleanor asked Ellington to deliver a few boxes of fine health supplements as gifts.


    Joy had originally nned to invite her out for lunch, but after hearing Eleanor was heading to the Ellington family''s luncheon, she volunteered to watch Evelyn instead.


    "Go on! You could even stay for dinner at their ce," Joy teased with a grin.


    Eleanor smiled helplessly. "One meal is more than enough."


    "Who knows? Maybe they''ll insist you stay for dinner, too."


    Eleanorughed, her voice bright. "How about I drag you along? After all, you helped save Mrs. Ellington that day."


    Joy waved her hands in protest. "Oh no, you know I can''t stand mingling with those upper-crust families. It''s way too stiff for me. Besides, I''m pretty sure this meal is about more than just thanking you for saving her. The Ellingtons probably have something else in mind."


    Eleanor''s smile faded a little, her expression turning thoughtful. After a failed marriage, she''d learned to keep her heart guarded, armored against disappointment.


    But the invitation was from Mildred herself-she couldn''t possibly refuse.


    She settled on a cream turtleneck sweater paired with a charcoal wool skirt; it was elegant and stylish, the perfect bnce.


    "Mommy, you look so pretty!" Evelyn called from the sofa, swinging her little feet back and forth.


    Eleanor kissed her daughter''s cheek. "Be good for Auntie Joy, sweetheart. I''ll be back after lunch."


    "Okay, bye, Mommy!" Evelyn replied, her voice sweet and sensible.


    Eleanor''s phone chimed—a message from Mansfield: I''m outside your door. No rush, take your time.


    Eleanor nced at Joy. "Thanks again for helping me out today."


    "Go! Don''t keep them waiting," Joy said, shing an OK sign.


    Eleanor picked up the gift boxes and headed out to the courtyard.


    As soon as she opened her front gate, she spotted Mansfield leaning casually against a ck Land Rover parked along the street. Today, he was out of uniform, wearing a navy sweater under a gray trench coat. He looked tall and crisp, like a sentinel. The moment he caught sight of Eleanor, he straightened up, a warm smile lighting his eyes.


    "You look wonderful today," Mansfield said as he took the gift bags from her and opened the car door.


    Eleanor slid into the passenger seat. Once he was behind the wheel, she said, "Thank you. Honestly, I could''ve driven myself."


    Mansfield''s lips curved with amusement. "My grandmother insisted I pick you up personally."


    "Will your aunt be there too?" Eleanor asked.


    He shook his head. "It''s just me and my grandmother. My uncle and aunt are tied up with year-end business, and my father''s so busy he''s hardly ever around."


    Eleanor noticed he didn''t mention his mother. She hesitated, wanting to ask but not wanting to intrude.


    "My mother passed away when I was eighteen," Mansfield said quietly, as if sensing her question. "Dad never remarried, so it''s just the two of us." Eleanor nodded gently.


    Mansfield nced at her, a flicker of empathy in his eyes. He already knew, from his own inquiries, that both her parents were gone, too.


    Just then, the car''s Bluetooth rang. Mansfield hit the answer button. "Hello, Gran?"


    "It''s still early," Mildred said on the other end. "Bring Miss Sutton by the house before lunch, won''t you?"


    "Of course, Gran."


    Eleanor felt a sudden burst of nerves and nced at Mansfield, silently asking if this would be an inconvenience.


    He hung up and smiled at her. "Don''t worry. My grandmother''s been hoping you''d visit. I''m guessing she''s prepared a feast to wee you."


    They pulled into a quiet, upscale neighborhood. Mansfield led Eleanor through the gate of a charming house with a small front garden. Waiting at the doorway was an elderlydy with silver hair-Eleanor immediately recognized her as the woman she''d helped rescue.


    The moment Mildred saw her, she bustled down the steps and took Eleanor''s hand warmly. "So you''re my lifesaver, Miss Sutton! Even prettier than your photo!"


    "You''re too kind. Please, call me Eleanor." She offered the gift bags. "Just a little something as a token of my gratitude."


    Mildred looked momentarily surprised. "You shouldn''t have! Mansfield told me how busy you''ve been at work-I''m so d you could make time today."


    Mansfield sat nearby in a single armchair, watching his grandmother''s enthusiastic wee with a quiet smile and a hint of pride.


    Mildred proved to be a lively conversationalist, soon recounting the story of her fall.


    "If it weren''t for you and your friend, I don''t know what would have happened that day..."


    "Gran, Auntie always says you''ll outlive us all," Mansfield interjected affectionately, shooting his grandmother a fond look.


    Mildred turned to Eleanor, her tone conspiratorial. "You know, Mansfield''s always been the responsible type since he was a boy. He''s finally making a name for himself, but his superiors stillin to his dad now and then-say he''s a bit too headstrong for his own good."


    "Gran!" Mansfield blushed and shot Eleanor an embarrassed nce, only to find her covering her mouth, trying not tough.


    "What he needs is someone who can keep him in line. Someone he actually listens to,” Mildred finished, her gaze lingering meaningfully on Eleanor, as if passing the baton.


    Eleanor''s smile faltered, caught off guard by the implication.