The afternoon meetings brought nothing but good news. Simone shared updates about several patients making remarkable recoveries. The process was slow, but all the data pointed in the right direction.


    Faye watched as Eleanor basked in Simone''s repeated praise. Outwardly, Faye kept herposure, but inside, she couldn''t help but feel stung.


    There was a time when she had been Simone''s favorite-Simone''s hope and pride. But, in the end, Eleanor had always had better resources. Looking back, the two most important projects in theb both revolved around Eleanor; she was at the heart of them.


    Faye, meanwhile, had joined Meridian Dynamics'' program and earned the title of Senior Researcher, but her work never touched theb''s core. In truth, she was little more than a glorified data clerk, shuffling reports for everyone else.


    Just then, Faye''s phone buzzed. She nced down. It was a reply from Vanessa, whom she''d invited to dinner earlier.


    "Faye, I can''t make it tonight. I''m flying abroad withn."


    Faye''s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile as she shot a sideways nce at Eleanor. Well, she thought, maybe the universe hadn''t handed everything to Eleanor after all-at leastn''s affections weren''t hers.


    With the sess of this new drug, Goodwin & Co. was set to make a fortune in pharmaceuticals-money that, one day, would belong to her sister''s child.


    When the meeting wrapped up, Eleanor headed into a restroom stall. Nina and Faye followed her inside.


    As Nina washed her hands, a thought struck her. "Faye, my niece is dying to get your sister''s autograph."


    Faye nced at her own reflection in the mirror. "She might have to wait a while. My sister''s abroad. No telling when she''ll be back."


    "Must be nice-traveling overseas for work all the time," Nina sighed.


    "She''s not working. She''s just keeping my future brother-inwpany on a business trip," Faye said, almost teasing.


    Nina''s eyes widened. "Wait-so she''s with Mr. Goodwin?"


    Faye couldn''t deny it: she envied Vanessa''s life. It was full of color and adventure. Every year, she''d jet off around the world withn-he''d work, she''d just enjoy the ride. Traveling without money was called backpacking; traveling withn was first- ss luxury.


    When Faye and Nina left, Eleanor emerged from her stall. Facing the mirror, she gazed at her own reflection. Hearing Faye and Nina''s conversation had stirred up old memories-how naively she''d once believed everythingn told her. He''d say he was traveling for work, and she''d simply trusted him.


    Eleanor washed her hands, then managed a small, wry smile at her reflection. That was all in the past now.


    Later in the evening, Joy texted: "Let''s catch up tonight. It''s been ages since we''ve seen each other."


    At six, Eleanor picked up Evelyn and met Joy at a nearby restaurant. Joy arrived with a new gift for Evelyn, who squealed with delight and immediately began ying with it on the banquette.


    While Evelyn was entertained, Eleanor and Joy caught up. When Eleanor mentioned leaving theb, Joy looked genuinely happy for her.


    "It''s about time," Joy said. "Someone as brilliant as you-anywhere you go, you''ll shine."


    “I''m thinking of taking a real break for a while. Just rest."


    "Absolutely. You have nothing to worry about." As she spoke, Joy slyly pulled an envelope from her purse and slid it across the table. "Fresh off the press-the very first invitation."


    Eleanor''s eyes lit up as she took the envelope. "You and Frazier-when did this happen?"


    Joy blushed, smiling shyly. "He proposedst week. Our parents met, and, well, we''re not getting any younger."


    "Congrattions!" Eleanor said warmly. "You''d better give Evelyn a little brother or sister soon-she''ll need someone to y with."


    Joy nced over at Evelyn, who was still happily ying. "That''s the n, but


    we''ll see. Oh, and we''re having the wedding at the Vesper Joy Hotel."


    Eleanor leaned in conspiratorially. "That''s the only ce you''re allowed-it''s perfect for you."


    Joy looked touched. They started chatting about wedding details. The big day was set for mid-November-plenty of time to n.


    Just then, Joy''s phone pinged with a push notification. Distracted, she nced at


    it and saw Vanessa''s name. She tapped it open.


    A German luxury perfume brand had just announced their new global ambassador: international pianist Vanessa.


    Joy swiped away the notification without mentioning it to Eleanor. Ever since she''d started following Vanessa''s social media, the algorithm kept sending her updates about Vanessa''s morous life. Just a week ago, Vanessa was invited as an honored guest to a g in Ashford City-true royalty treatment.


    From what Joy had heard from an old school friend, everything Vanessa had now her fame, her fortune-was all thanks ton. And withn''spany, Yeaton Holdings, about to go public, even Joy, as an outsider, felt a twist of resentment. "What are you thinking about?" Eleanor asked, holding Evelyn''s hand as she returned from the restroom.


    Joy smiled. "Just wedding details."


    "Mom, can Dad take me to Grandma''s house tomorrow?" Evelyn piped up.


    Eleanor paused, then replied gently, "Daddy''s away on a business trip. He''ll be gone for over a week."


    "Oh. Okay." Evelyn pouted, but quickly returned to her toys.


    As Evelyn yed, Joy recalled the news piece about Vanessa being in Drexford. Wasn with her? Those two really were inseparable.


    At eight-thirty, dinner ended. They each headed home. Eleanor handed Evelyn off


    to Joslyn for a bath, then retreated upstairs to her study.


    Settling into her chair, she let her mind drift. The top had once mentioned- neural interfaces-still tugged at her. That was the one unfinished project in her career, the one regret she couldn''t quite let go.