Vanessa greeted Evelyn with a warm, gentle smile as she came downstairs, while Eleanor followed close behind.


    At the foot of the staircase,n waited as Evelyn approached, just three steps away from him. He readied himself, and with a swift motion, scooped his daughter into his arms. Evelyn''s rosy cheek brushed against his chin as she grinned, "Daddy, Mom said you wouldn''te tonight. Why are you here after all?”


    Eleanor hadn''t wanted him at tonight''s gathering.


    Was she afraid he''d interrupt her evening with Xavier?


    "Daddy, I gave Vivian my music box and she absolutely loved it!" Evelyn announced, her eyes bright with pride.


    "Daddy, put me down! I want to go y with Vivian." Evelyn squirmed out of his arms, her little legs kicking as she slipped away. She grabbed Vivian''s hand, and the two girls dashed off toward the living room, already giggling.


    Eleanor watched her daughter go, then followed her down the stairs and after the girls.n''s gaze lingered on her until Henry''s cheerful voice interrupted, n,e outside and have a drink with me!"


    A long table stretched beneath the soft amber glow of string lights, the setting both elegant and inviting. Fine cutlery and sparkling wine sses adorned the table, promising a memorable evening.


    "Xavier''s gone down to the wine cer to fetch us something special,” Henry said, trying to lighten the mood. He could sense the tension among their close-knit trio -something had shifted between them. Tonight, he was determined to bridge that


    gap.


    Vanessa, seated beside Henry, smiled ruefully. "Too bad I can''t enjoy the good wine tonight."


    Henry grinned, reassuring her, “I stopped by the kitchen earlier-tonight''s filet mignon is fantastic. Xavier hired a five-star chef for us!"


    Just then, a server appeared behind Xavier, carrying arge basket filled with bottles-some wine, some whiskey.


    "Henry, is this enough for you?" Xavier called out with augh. "If not, you''re wee to pick something yourself."


    "It''s plenty! I couldn''t drink that much if I tried," Henry replied, rising to open a bottle.


    Xavier signaled to the staff to begin serving the dishes. Soon, the table was covered in a feast of delicious food. Henry poured red wine for everyone, and made sure to get Vanessa a ss of juice instead.


    As thest dish was ced on the table, Vanessa turned to Xavier. "Xavier, why don''t you invite Eleanor over to join us?"


    Xavier smiled warmly. "Of course, I''ll go get her."


    As he spoke,n''s grip tightened around his wine ss, the delicate stem


    pressing into his palm as though it might shatter at any moment.


    The ease in Xavier''s answer-like he was calling for his own girlfriend, or even his wife—made something insiden twist.


    Vanessa noticedn''s reaction from the corner of her eye, but she turned away, busying herself with Henry. "Wow, we''re in for a treat tonight. Everything looks incredible."


    "Doesn''t it?" Henry replied, raising his ss towardn. "Come on,n, let''s toast."


    At that moment, Evelyn and Vivian burst into the garden,ughing, with Eleanor following behind. The two girls began to race around the table, theirughter ringing out into the night.