Xavier metn''s gaze, his voice steady. "I''m sure."


    The air seemed to freeze. Twenty years of friendship suddenly felt as fragile as ss-one wrong move, and it would all shatter.


    Standing in the shadows, Henry and Vanessa overheard every word. Eleanor''s n had worked, just as they''d expected.


    As the tension betweenn and Xavier thickened, Henry strode forward. "What''s going on? Giving up on the drinks already?"


    Vanessa, however, stayed where she was, eyes fixed onn. Why?


    Why would he add such an unreasonable use to the divorce agreement with Eleanor?


    This wasn''t like him at all.


    No marriage for Eleanor for five years? Why wouldn insist on something like that?


    Unless―


    But the answer came to her quickly. Eleanor had asked for the divorce in the first ce. Ian''s condition was nothing but a punishment for her.


    No marriage for five years. Eleanor was already divorced once-what man would wait half a decade to marry her? Even if Xavier swore just now he''d wait, would Mrs. Vaughn really approve of her son putting his life on hold for five years? Without a marriage certificate, even if Xavier and Eleanor had a child, that kid would have no legal standing.


    Vanessa let a sly smile y on her lips. But she had already pulled Henry into this war-Eleanor''s days were numbered.


    n, Xavier, let''s talk this through," Henry urged.


    With that, he pushed back his chair and made to leave the table.


    Henry''s breath caught. Ian hadn''t blown up, but it was as if an invisible wall had sprung up between them.


    "Ian, after twenty-three years of friendship, can''t we just be honest with each other?" Xavier stood, staring at his friend.


    "I want you to remove that five-year use from the divorce agreement. It''s not fair to Eleanor."


    Xavier frowned. "What''s that supposed to mean? You''re testing me?"


    Seeing the tension rise again, Henry quickly stepped in. "Honestly, I thinkn''s offer is fair."


    Xavier thought it over, then finally nodded. "Fine. I ept."


    Henry let out a long sigh. "That''s the friends I know."


    A few paces away, Vanessa''s face darkened. This wasn''t the oue she''d hoped for.


    Had she underestimated the bond these three shared?


    She''d expectedn and Xavier to fall out over Eleanor, with Henry caught in the middle, and the three of them to split for good-leaving Eleanor to take the me.


    But now, withn''s concession and Xavier''spromise, their friendship looked stronger than ever. It was almost moving.


    At that moment, a server appeared. "Mrs. Vaughn says it''s time to cut the cake. Would you all pleasee inside?"


    Xavier nodded. "Alright, we''reing."


    Henry nced back at Vanessa. "Come on, Vanessa."<pn was the first to head in. Spotting his daughter next to the cake, her face alight with excitement, he let the steeliness melt from his features. For a moment, he looked almost gentle.