After a long day at work, nothing soothed Eleanor''s heart more thaning home to her daughter''s beaming smile.


    And then there were those sweet, sticky kisses-Evelyn''s way of reminding her mother how much she needed and loved her.


    Joslyn took care of everything at home, from meals toundry, keeping the house running like clockwork. Thanks to her, Eleanor could always count on a peaceful haven to return to.


    "Mom, tomorrow''s Vivian''s birthday party. I''ve been racking my brain-what should I get her as a gift?" Evelyn asked, her little brow furrowed in thought.


    Eleanor smiled. "Let''s go to the mall together in the morning. This time, you get to pick out the present yourself, alright?"


    Evelyn''s face lit up. "Okay!"


    "You''re growing up so fast, Evelyn. Such a littledy already!" Joslyn said with a fondugh from across the room.


    Watching her daughter, Eleanor couldn''t help but look forward to the day Evelyn grew up maybe in another ten years, they''d not only be mother and daughter, but best friends too.


    That night, Eleanor received an email from Dr. Smith at the overseasb. After congratting her, he attached a new file-clinical data his team had collected from leukemia patients, offering it as a resource for her research.


    She thought of hisb, and the fact thatn was also an investor. This was, in a way, just sharing resources.


    Eleanor replied, expressing her gratitude and hoping for more opportunities to coborate.


    To her surprise, Dr. Smith answered almost immediately, saying he''d be flying in next week and looked forward to meeting her in person.


    Eleanor was genuinely pleased and began to anticipate their uing discussion.


    Later that night, Evelyny in Eleanor''s arms, rolling back and forth, still mulling over what to get Vivian for her birthday. Eleanor smiled down at her daughter, hugging her close and showering her with kisses.


    "Mom, do you think Dad wille to Vivian''s party tomorrow?" Evelyn suddenly asked.


    Eleanor considered this. It was just a kid''s birthday party-there was really no reason forn to go. She doubted he''d make it.


    "He''s really busy, sweetheart. I don''t think he''ll have time," Eleanor said gently, hoping not to let Evelyn get her hopes up.


    "Oh." Evelyn''s reply was tinged with disappointment.


    Eleanor quickly suggested a bedtime story to take her mind off it, and before long, Evelyn had drifted to sleep, nestled in her mother''s arms.


    The next morning, since Vivian''s party was scheduled for the evening, Eleanor arranged to meet her friend Joy for lunch.


    Eleanor didn''t have many people she could truly confide in. Most friends were just acquaintances or colleagues, but with Joy, she could rx and be herself.


    "I saw you on the news yesterday. You''re bing such a superstar!" Joy teased as they sat down.


    Eleanor chuckled. “I just hope I can get through my speeches without tripping up.”


    Joy leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "You must have a whole line of admirers by now. Anyone special catch your eye?"


    That was the fun of having a close girlfriend-somehow, the conversation always circled back to men.


    Eleanorughed. "Are you kidding? I barely have enough hours in the day to get my work done, let alone date!"


    "You''re still young. Wouldn''t it be nice to have a little romance? Besides, you can''t neglect your... needs, right?" Joy winked.


    Eleanor shot her a yful look. "Alright, spill it—what''s going on with you and Attorney Jeffries?"


    Joy rolled her eyes with a dramatic sigh. "He''s so busy these days, I''m lucky if I see him at all. There''s no progress."


    "Oh really? Want me to pull some strings at Ellington and get you two a week off? You could have a proper lovefest," Eleanor joked, grinning.