When Eleanor arrived at the university hospital affiliated with the Military Medical University, she was greeted with an outpouring of hospitality unlike anything she''d ever experienced. The hospital director himself came down to meet her,


    apanied by several medical specialists. A young woman even handed her a bouquet of flowers.


    Eleanor felt both ttered and a little out of ce-she''d always preferred to keep a low profile, and all this enthusiastic attention left her feeling awkward.


    "Eleanor, I''m Dean rk. I went to college with your father-he probably never mentioned me, but we used to y ser together," Dean rk said with an easy grin.


    Eleanor nodded respectfully. "Good afternoon, Dean rk. You''re right, my father rarely talked about his college days."


    Dean rk''s eyes twinkled with nostalgia. "Your dad was a legend at our school! I never imagined his daughter would be equally impressive-so young and already making waves in the research world."


    He gestured to a young man. "Letn show you around first. We''ll have a meetingter."


    Eleanor agreed, and spent her first day immersed in tours and meetings. That evening, she returned to the guesthouse with a stack of case files for her study participants.


    She was tired, but her sense of duty kept her workingte into the night. It was nearly half past nine when her phone chimed-a video call on WhatsApp fromn.


    But she could guess who really wanted to talk.


    She answered, and sure enough, Evelyn''s cherubic face filled the screen. "Mommy, look! Daddy bought this for me!"


    Evelyn was eager to show off her new toy. She stepped back to reveal a charming little bunnyntern in her hands. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, toy stores were already stocked with holiday gifts.


    "Isn''t it pretty, Mommy?"


    "It''s beautiful,” Eleanor said, her eyes crinkling with a smile. The camera jerked slightly, and Eleanor caught a glimpse ofn sitting on the sofa beside Evelyn, dressed in loungewear, watching their daughter with gentle eyes.


    "Mommy, tonight I want to sleep with Daddy," Evelyn announced earnestly. It had been a long time since she''d fallen asleep beside him-whenn was home, he always tucked her in.


    Eleanor''s smile faltered for just a moment, a knot of difort twisting in her chest. She swallowed her unease and coaxed gently, "Evelyn, why don''t you sleep with Grandma tonight? Daddy''s had a long day. Let him rest, okay?"


    "No! I want to sleep with Daddy. He promised me!" Evelyn pouted, her lips jutting out.


    Off camera,n''s deep voice rumbled, "I''ll take care of her."


    Eleanor drew a slow breath, steadying her tone. "Evelyn, be good and go to Grandma''s room, okay?"


    "But-fine," Evelyn finally relented, though she clearly didn''t understand why her mother was insisting on this.


    Suddenly, the camera shifted andn''s face filled the screen. He fixed Eleanor with a dark, questioning stare a silent usation, asking why she wouldn''t let him spend the night with their daughter.


    Eleanor met his gaze squarely, her own eyes cold, making it clear just how much she resented him.


    Turning away from the screen,n spoke softly to Evelyn, "Why don''t you go y with Grandma for a bit? Daddy needs to talk to Mommy."


    "Are you two going to whisper secrets?" Evelyn asked, curiosity lighting her face. "That''s right. I just need a word with your mom." Ian smiled gently.


    Evelyn waved at the camera. "Okay, Mommy. I''m going to Grandma''s room now. You can talk to Daddy."


    Once Evelyn had left, Eleanor reached to end the call, butn''s displeased voice stopped her.


    "Was that really necessary?"


    Without a word, Eleanor tapped her finger on the screen and hung up.