Joy didn''t finish her sentence. She was still simmering with indignation on Eleanor''s behalf, but it seemed like Eleanor had grown immune ton by now.


    "So, what have you been busy withtely?" Joy asked, trying to change the subject.


    Eleanor told her about the failed experiment and how she was now starting over from scratch.


    "Ian really doesn''t mind spending money, does he? But what does he even want from all this?" Joy pressed, looking at Eleanor.


    "He pays you to bury yourself in theb, working day and night on his projects, while he''s out there ying the perfect couple with Vanessa." As soon as the words left her lips, Joy pped a hand over her mouth. "Ugh! I swear, couples who unt their love neverst."


    Eleanor couldn''t help butugh, but after herughter faded, her expression grew serious. "I love my work," she said quietly. "I believe it matters. It''s meaningful."


    Then she described the patients at the hospital waiting desperately for the new treatment to work. Joy''s face shifted to one of solemn respect, and she looked at Eleanor with fresh admiration. "You''re right! I almost forgot―these hands of yours, they''re meant to save lives. What you do is something to be proud of."


    The two of them chatted until nearly half past four before Eleanor finally left to pick up her daughter. This semester, the school had added new sses, so pick- up time had shifted to five-thirty.


    On the way home, Evelyn rummaged in her backpack and pulled out a piece of candy, ready to tear it open.


    "Who gave you that?" Eleanor asked gently.


    Evelyn waved the little candy in her hand. "Mommy, Miss Vanessa gave it to me."


    Eleanor''s breath caught. "She came to your school?"


    "Yeah, she gave presents and candy to everyone in our ss," Evelyn said, then leaned in close, lowering her voice to a proud whisper. "But Mommy, Miss Vanessa gave me an extra present! It''s in my backpack. No one else got one, just me."


    Evelyn''s cheeks lit up with a beaming smile.


    Eleanor''s face darkened. Vanessa was trying to win over her daughter''s affection like this?


    How maniptive—and shameless. Evelyn was only five. How could Vanessa stoop so low?


    Eleanor''s grip tightened on the steering wheel, but she quickly forced a calm expression and asked softly, "Do you like Miss Vanessa, sweetheart?"


    Evelyn nodded, her eyes bright with innocence. "Uh-huh! She said next time she''ll take me to the amusement park."


    The light turned red, and Eleanor stopped the car, turning to look at her daughter seriously. "Evelyn, if anyone gives you presents, you need to ask Mommy first before you take them, okay?"


    "But Miss Vanessa isn''t just anyone!" Evelyn tilted her head, confused. "She said she''s Daddy''s good friend. She said she''s really important to Daddy."


    The words pierced Eleanor''s heart like a knife.


    She drew a slow breath, struggling to keep herposure. "She really said that?”


    Evelyn tore open her candy and nodded.


    Eleanor''s nails dug sharply into her palm.


    Was thisn''s idea to use Vanessa to get close to Evelyn?


    "Mommy, are you upset?" Evelyn asked, picking up on her mother''s mood in an instant.


    "No, Mommy''s just thinking about something." Eleanor forced a smile. “Evelyn, if Miss Vanessa ever wants to see you alone, you have to tell me first, alright?"