Serena scoffed, undeterred. "My brother and Vanessa have been in love since eight years ago. If you hadn''t barged in back then-"


    Eleanor cut her off coldly. "I''m not interested in your brother''s love life."


    Serena faltered, biting her lip. "Do you know who just called my brother? Do you know why he rushed out so suddenly?"


    Eleanor, bored, stood up. Serena followed suit, refusing to let it go. "There''s only one woman who can make my brother drop everything with just a phone call-you know who I''m talking about!"


    Eleanor checked her watch, then headed toward Gina. "I''m going to take my daughter to rest," she said. Gina tried to persuade her to stay, especially since Eleanor hadn''t touched her holiday dinner, but Eleanor insisted.


    Cradling her daughter, Eleanor left for the penthouse suite she''d reserved atop the Vesper Joy Hotel. Tonight, it would just be the two of them.


    She had the hotel staff prepare avish dinner spread. From here, they could watch fireworks bursting in every direction beyond the windows. It was a quieter celebration, but not without its own charm.


    "Wow, Mommy! Over there-look, more fireworks!"


    Eleanor pressed her cheek to her daughter''s and smiled. "They''re beautiful, aren''t they?"


    By ten o''clock, she''d tucked Evelyn into bed. Wearingfortable pajamas, Eleanor sank into the sofa with a medical journal.


    Her phone chimed.


    "Is Evelyn asleep?" It was a message fromn.


    Eleanor nced at the screen, then turned her phone face-down on the table without answering.


    Outside, a riot of fireworks lit up the night sky, the colors ying over her calm, distant features.


    Another message. Eleanor sighed and picked up the phone to check.


    "I have a gift for her."


    She replied, "Evelyn doesn''t need your gifts. Leave us alone."


    The phone stayed silent after that, and Eleanor finally felt a rare sense of peace.


    ...


    From New Year''s Day onward, Eleanor took her daughter out every day-to amusement parks, to bustling malls, to visit Joy Thatcher''s home.


    Evelyn was delighted, swept up in days so full and bright that she barely had time to think about her father. At bedtime, she still asked for him sometimes, but Eleanor always found a way to gently distract her.


    She wanted Evelyn to slowly get used to life without a father. It was harsh, perhaps, but far kinder than the painn would bring into their livester. It was a choice that had to be made.


    On the sixth day of the new year, Joslyn returned. Eleanor handed her a generous red envelope to celebrate the start of work. Joslyn peeked inside, eyes widening in shock-Eleanor had given her a thousand dors as a wee-back bonus.


    "Ma''am, this is too much..." Joslyn''s eyes filled with tears. Her sry was already generous, and Eleanor''s kindness overwhelmed her.


    Eleanor smiled. "Joslyn, Evelyn and I consider you family. Please, take it. I''ll need your help with Evelyn in the future."


    Joslyn silently vowed to do everything she could for Eleanor and Evelyn, determined not to let down their trust and affection.


    After the Lantern Festival, life returned to normal, and Evelyn''s school started up again—a relief for parents everywhere.


    On the first day back, Eleanor walked her daughter to school, holding her tiny hand. At the gate, Evelyn turned with her backpack and waved. “Bye, Mommy!"