His gaze drifted to Eleanor, standing a few steps away and busy taking photos of the kids with her phone.


    Mrs. Vaughn helped her granddaughter slice the cake, then carefully divided it up. Evelyn carried the first te to Eleanor and then brought the second te ton. "Here you go, Daddy."


    Vanessa had half-expected Evelyn might bring her a te, too, but when she looked over, Evelyn was already happily digging in. Once again, the thought shed through Vanessa''s mind: Ungrateful little wretch-no matter how much you give her, she''ll never give anything back.


    She''d spent so much precious time trying to get close to that child, but in the end, it was all for nothing.


    "With Mom!" Evelyn blinked up at him, as if he''d asked the silliest question in the world.


    Thoughn looked a bit frustrated, he still reached over and affectionately tapped her little nose. "Alright then."


    He nced up at Eleanor, standing beneath the warm lights, his expression shadowed by something unreadable. After a brief pause, he turned and walked away.


    Vanessa hadn''t touched her cake. She grabbed her purse and followed aftern.


    Henry caught sight of them as they left, a hint of disappointment flickering in his eyes. Just then, his aunt sat down beside him. "So, who was that young woman? What''s your rtionship with her?"


    "We''re just friends," Henry replied.


    Sybil had been watching closely. She could tell her nephew had feelings for Eleanor. She patted his shoulder. "It''s the twenty-first century, darling. If you like her, go for it. You have my full support."


    Henry managed a wry smile. Some things weren''t that simple. He respected the unspoken rule between brothers-whoever came first had the im.


    When Evelyn finished her cake, Eleanor decided it was time to leave.


    Xavier came over. "Heading out already?"


    "Yes, it''s gettingte."


    "Would you like me to have someone drive you home?" Xavier offered, worry in his voice. "You must be tired."


    "I''m alright, I still have plenty of energy," Eleanor said with a small smile. Just then, Mrs. Vaughn approached. "Miss Sutton, are you leaving already?"


    "Yes, Mrs. Vaughn. Thank you for having us. I''ll take Evelyn home now."


    "Of course! You''re wee anytime," Mrs. Vaughn said warmly.


    Eleanor nodded, took Evelyn''s hand, and walked out of the hall. Suddenly, Henry got up and hurried after them.


    "Eleanor, do you have a moment to talk?"


    Out in the garden, Eleanor looked at him in surprise. "Mr. Holt, is something wrong?"


    Henry crouched down to Evelyn''s level. "Evelyn, would you mind grabbing another piece of cake for your uncle?"


    Evelyn''s face lit up. "Sure, okay!" She dashed back toward the house.


    Henry slipped his hands into his pockets, studying Eleanor. "Eleanor, we''re friends, aren''t we? There''s something I don''t understand why are you ying with Xavier''s feelings?"


    Eleanor frowned, clearly confused. "I''m not sure what you mean."


    “Eleanor, I''m asking you, please don''t let your personal grudgese between us as brothers."


    "Personal grudges?" Eleanor looked even more bewildered.


    "You andn have been divorced less than a year, and now you''re seeing his best friend—” Henry stopped himself, then fixed her with a warning look. "If you want to get back atn, fine. Just don''t use Xavier as a pawn."