"Mom." Evelyn reached out for Eleanor, wriggling from her father''s arms into her mother''s embrace.


    Holding her daughter close, Eleanor looked at Joy. "Joy, let''s go."


    "But Dad-" Evelyn nced back at her father, uncertainty clouding her little face.


    Suddenly, a sweet, slightly petnt voice called out, n—"


    Vanessa tried to follow, but Henry caught her gently by the arm. She stared aftern as he walked away with Eleanor and their daughter, a flicker of frustration in


    her eyes.


    Henry sighed quietly. "Even ifn doesn''t love Eleanor, you can''t ignore how much Evelyn means to him."


    Vanessa bit down on her red lip, swallowing her retort.


    Of course she knew how important Evelyn was ton-how could she not?


    "Vanessa, it''s time to cut the cake. Everyone''s waiting!" Laverne, her manager, stepped forward, breaking the tension.


    Forcing herself to smile, Vanessa turned to Henry. “Alright. Henry, will you help me cut the cake?"


    He nodded and followed her to the table, standing at her side as they sliced into the cake together.


    Meanwhile, Eleanor carried Evelyn to the lounge. She knewn was following, but she had no intention of acknowledging him.


    Eleanor caught Joy''s gaze and gave a subtle nod toward the door. Joy hesitated, then moved to blockn''s way. "I''m sorry, Mr. Goodwin, but Eleanor would like some time to rest."


    With that, Joy closed the door in his face.


    On the couch inside, Evelyn wiped her tears and looked up at her mother. "Mom, does Dad not want us anymore?"


    A sharp ache pierced Eleanor''s heart. She didn''t know how to answer.


    Joy stepped in gently. "Evelyn, your mom is a scientist now. She''s strong and amazing. It''s not that your dad doesn''t want you—it''s that your mom doesn''t want him anymore."


    Evelyn blinked her big eyes, clearly understanding but not quite able to process it. Still, she tightened her little arms around Eleanor''s neck. "I want my mom."


    Eleanor and Joy exchanged a smile.


    Eleanor kissed her daughter''s soft hair. "And Mommy loves you."


    Just then, someone knocked at the door. Joy nced at Eleanor, silently asking if she should letn in.


    Eleanor set her daughter down. "Evelyn, I''m going to get you something to eat, okay?"


    "Okay! Can I have a cupcake?" Evelyn''s eyes lit up.


    Eleanor nodded. "Alright, I''ll bring you a cupcake."


    She opened the door to findn still waiting.


    Her eyes chilled. "Evelyn doesn''t need yourfort. Go take care of whoever it is you want tofort."


    She let out a coldugh, not interested in his exnations. All she wanted was to get her daughter a cupcake and cheer her up.


    She started to walk away, butn suddenly grabbed her wrist. "You know how much I love Evelyn."


    Eleanor yanked her hand back, her voice icy. n, my daughter doesn''t need you anymore."


    Her words were low, but each one cut like a de. "Stop chasing after us. Don''t make me hate you more."


    With that, she turned sharply to leave.


    Butn caught her by the shoulder. "We need to talk. Now."


    "Let go!" Eleanor shoved his hand away. "Don''t touch me. You make me sick."


    In that moment, his phone rang. Eleanor turned and strode away, asking a staff member to bring up a cupcake.


    When she returned to the lounge,n was gone.


    As Eleanor stepped inside, Joy pressed a hand to her chest and whispered, "You scared me—I thought he wasing back."


    "He''s gone," Eleanor reassured her.


    "Mom, where did Dad go? I saw him following us just now." Evelyn''s curiosity was in.


    Eleanor ruffled her daughter''s hair. "He had something to take care of."


    "Oh!" Evelyn blinked, and soon the cupcake and some fruit snacks were delivered. Eleanor sat with Joy, sharing the treats.


    Her meeting was being handled by Ellington, who would send her the report afterward.


    "Mom, can we stay here tonight?" Evelyn looked up hopefully.


    "Of course! Should we invite Miss Thatcher to stay with us?"


    Around nine in Eleanor''s private luxury suite, Evelyn yed with her toys while the two women lounged on the sofa, chatting and wearing face masks.


    "Out of all the hotels she could''ve picked, she insisted on booking the Vesper Joy. Was she trying to get under your skin?" Joy asked, exasperated.


    Eleanor peeled off her mask and gently massaged the skin around her eyes, her tone frosty. "It''s not about me. She''s making a statement."


    She gazed out at the dazzling city lights. "Vesper Joy used to ben''s. Now it''s mine. By hosting her celebration here, Vanessa''s telling everyone she can still shine on my turf."