Vanessa and Henry strolled along the path behind the house, the garden around them hushed and dim. Suddenly, Vanessa spun around without warning. Henry, distracted, walked straight into her-his lips brushed her forehead in the briefest, most idental kiss.


    Henry stepped back, flustered. "I''m so sorry, I—"


    Vanessa justughed it off, easy and unbothered. "It''s fine. I just remembered something I wanted to tell you and forgot you were right behind me."


    He gazed at her, his eyes dark and searching, but Vanessa abruptly grew serious. "Henry, what do you think Xavier andn are talking about right now?"


    Pulled from his thoughts, Henry''s expression clouded with worry. "No idea."


    Vanessa sighed, folding her arms. "They''re bound to have a falling out over Eleanor. You know whatn''s like-proud to a fault. Having his ex-wife marry his closest friend? That''s got to sting."


    Henry nodded, his agreement clear. "You can see it written all over him."


    Vanessa''s voice dropped, slow and thoughtful. "Do you think Eleanor''s doing this to get back atn? Maybe she never really liked Xavier-maybe she just wants to hurtn."


    Henry''s face registered surprise. "What are you saying?"


    "My sister told me Eleanor''s been awfully close with some young military officer. I think she''s deliberately trying to get undern''s skin, maybe even drive a wedge between you guys." Vanessa spoke with a certainty that made Henry pause.


    "Are you serious?" he asked after a moment, uncertainty flickering across his features.


    Vanessa let out another sigh. "Honestly, I never thought Eleanor was that type of person. But from what I''ve heard, she does seem interested in that officer. So why would she be flirting with Xavier? If it''s not about revenge, I can''t think of any other reason."


    Henry''s voice came out rough. "So you mean—"


    "Eleanor must really haten," Vanessa replied, her tone almost clinical. "But to toy with Xavier''s feelings just for payback? That''s low." She turned, her gazending on Henry from beneath the shadow of a tree. "It''s just a theory-don''t take my word for it."


    But Henry couldn''t help but consider it. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Eleanor never seemed truly interested in Xavier, yet she had him wrapped around her finger-and tonight, she''d managed to get ton, too.


    "Maybe it''s just a woman''s intuition, but I can feel what Eleanor''s doing," Vanessa went on. "Flirting with your ex-husband''s best friend? That''s the most effective way to get even."


    Henry exhaled heavily. "If that''s the case, I can''t just stand by and watch Xavier get hurt. I won''t let Eleanor ruin our friendship."


    "You''re going to warn Xavier, then?" Vanessa looked up at him, the garden''s shadows softening her features, giving her an almost serpentine allure.


    "You saw it yourself tonight," she continued. "Even Mrs. Vaughn''s already charmed by Eleanor, and she''s epted her as a future daughter-inw. With Eleanor''s reputation in the scientific world, what parent wouldn''t approve? If she wants to break up your friendship, she could do it without even trying."


    Henry''s expression grew heavier with every word.


    "I just hate to see a friendship that''ssted over twenty years get wrecked like this," Vanessa said quietly, her words sinking deep into Henry''s heart. Friendship meant everything to him-he wouldn''t let anyone tear it apart.


    If Eleanor truly cared about Xavier, he''d be happy for them. But if she was using Xavier to get back atn? That was unforgivable.


    "If that''s how it is-" Henry''s fists clenched at his sides, jaw set. "Then I can''t just look the other way."