After Byron left, Eleanor lingered by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the glittering city below. But her mind wandered back to six years ago.


    Back then,n had been the same always keeping their marriage at arm''s length, always so cold and distant. She''d once believed, with the blind hope of the young, that if she just loved him enough, epted enough, she''d eventually thaw his frozen heart.


    But on the day their divorce was finalized, she finally understood-some people are simply unreachable, no matter how much warmth you offer. And her life wasn''t meant to be wasted trying to change someone like that.


    That evening, Meridian Dynamics was hosting apany dinner, but Eleanor skipped it. Unless it was for work, she tried to spend her free time at home with her daughter.


    Curled up on the couch, Eleanor relished a rare moment to watch TV. The news anchor suddenly mentioned that Farris Vaughn, chairman of the Vaughn Group, had been hospitalized with a serious illness. A jolt ran through her. Wasn''t that Xavier''s father?


    She watched as Mrs. Vaughn, looking exhausted, gave a brief interview, thanking everyone for their concern and support as the family prepared to spend Farris''s final days by his side.


    Eleanor''s mood grew heavy. Birth, aging, illness, death-some things in life simply defy exnation.


    Over Memorial Day, she''d been sent to Kingston for work. So that weekend, she took her daughter to visit her parents'' graves.


    Work at Meridian Dynamics kept her busy, time slipping by almost unnoticed. The weekend arrived before she knew it. While most of her colleagues worked overtime on Saturday, Byron had generously given her the day off.


    She''d already told Evelyn about their n to visit the cemetery. Her daughter was eager to help, joining Eleanor to buy flowers and supplies for tending the graves.


    Though Memorial Day had passed, the weather remained rainy, but thankfully the downpour had stopped for now. The entire cemetery was shrouded in a misty haze.


    Hand in hand, Eleanor and Evelyn made their way toward her parents'' headstone. When she saw the grass freshly trimmed and a bouquet of white lilies left just a few days ago, Eleanor paused in surprise.


    Who had been here?


    But then she remembered her father had taught many students who still respected him deeply. Perhaps one of them hade to pay their respects.


    "Mom, is this where Grandma and Grandpa are sleeping?" Evelyn asked, tilting her head to study the photo etched on the stone.


    "Yes, sweetheart." Eleanor knelt down, gently wiping the raindrops from the headstone.


    Evelyn mimicked her, using her small hands to clear the rain from their photo. "Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy and I came to see you!"


    Eleanor''s eyes stung with tears. Science could exin almost everything, but not life and death.


    She bit her lip, but couldn''t stop the tears from welling up.


    "Why are you crying, Mommy?" Evelyn reached up and brushed away Eleanor''s tears.


    "It''s nothing, honey. I just... miss them," Eleanor replied, forcing a small smile.


    There were still a few stubborn weeds, and together they carefully pulled them up. After half an hour of cleaning and arranging flowers, Evelyn pressed her hands together in a little prayer, following her mother''s lead to say goodbye to her grandparents. Then, hand in hand, they left the quiet cemetery.


    Back in the city, Eleanor took her daughter to meet Joy for afternoon tea. While Evelyn yed quietly nearby, Joy sipped her coffee and asked, "So, what''s been keeping you busytely?"


    "I''ve transferred from theb to Meridian Dynamics," Eleanor said. "I''ll be working there for the next couple of months."


    "Really? I thoughtn wanted you to focus on your research! Why''d he move you?"


    "Meridian Dynamics is working with the government on a major project. It''s more urgent."


    Joy nodded. "Figuresn''s always chasing after short-term gains."


    She swirled her coffee, then remembered something. "Oh, did you see the news about the Vaughn family?"


    Eleanor nodded. "I did. Xavier''s father is seriously ill."


    "So if his father doesn''t make it, Xavier inherits everything-he''ll be CEO and chairman of the Vaughn Group. Look at you, after your divorce, you''re surrounded


    by men with serious clout. Ian''s going to regret letting you go!" Joy teased.


    Eleanor just smiled, unfazed. "Regret isn''t in his vocabry."


    Joy thought about it. Six years of marriage-Eleanor must known better than anyone. No matter how brilliant Eleanor became,n probably wouldn''t even notice.


    After a while, it was half past five. Eleanor took her daughter home for dinner and to prep for the next day''s meeting.


    The following morning, as Eleanor dropped Evelyn off at school, Miss Alice, her teacher, mentioned that Vanessa''s sses were all canceled-she''d fallen ill and needed time off.


    Eleanor felt a wave of relief.


    Afterward, she hurried to Meridian Dynamics. As soon as she settled into her office, opened herptop, and clicked through the news, a new obituary popped


    up.


    Xavier''s father had passed away just an hour ago.


    She clicked on the article. The homepage chronicled the highlights of Farris''s remarkable life, apanied by photographs tracing his journey from youth to old age.