"But I really want to go." Evelyn tipped her small face upward, eyes shining with hope. After speaking, she scampered over to Eleanor, tugging at her sleeve with a pleading look. "Please, Mom, I really want to go "


    Eleanor looked down and met her daughter''s imploring gaze, lost for words.


    If it were just her and Evelyn, she''d agree in a heartbeat. But ifn insisted oning along-


    She''d much rather stay home with Evelyn than go anywhere with him.


    Evelyn nodded, scooping up her robotic dinosaur and heading to the backyard. As soon as she disappeared,n stood and fixed Eleanor with a steady look. "I''m free tomorrow. I could-"


    "That''s not necessary." Eleanor cut him off, her tone icy. "Even if you''re free, don''t interfere with my life."


    "Not even once." Her refusal was absolute.


    "You don''t want me toe?"n''s voice took on a meaning she couldn''t quite decipher. "Or would you rather have Mansfield Ellington take her?"


    Eleanor let out a coldugh. "Who I spend time with is none of your business."


    "You''re seeing him now?"n arched an eyebrow. "You two are that close already?"


    Eleanor was about to snap back when, suddenly, a wail came from the steps outside. Eleanor immediately bolted from the foyer and found Evelyn sprawled on the ground, crying. Heart aching, Eleanor scooped her up. "Where did you hurt yourself? Let me see."


    Sniffling, Evelyn held out her arms. "Daddy, hold me..."


    Eleanor averted her gaze. She couldn''t deny it-her daughter really did rely onn as her father.


    "Daddy, Mommy, were you two fighting just now?" Evelyn looked up at them, her voice small.


    Both Eleanor andn froze. Had they really been that loud?


    "We weren''t fighting, honey,"n said softly. "We were just talking about something."


    "Then... can we all go to the beach together tomorrow?" Evelyn''s tear-streaked face turned toward them, full of hope.


    When Eleanor didn''t answer right away, Evelyn suddenly burst into tears again. "I haven''t gone to the beach with both of you in so long. All the other kids get to go with their moms and dads, but I never do..."


    She''d just finished crying, but this time her sobs came in ragged gasps.


    Even Joslyn looked heartbroken.


    Eleanor took a deep breath, her resolve finally crumbling as she looked at her daughter''s tear-stained face. "-Okay."


    Still unconvinced, Evelyn held out her tiny pinky. "Pinky swear. You both have to promise."


    Reluctantly, Eleanor extended her pinky and linked it with Evelyn''s on the other hand.


    "Yay!" Evelyn''s tears vanished, reced by a wide grin. "We''re really going to the beach!"


    Once Evelyn headed off, Eleanor''s expression turned cold again. "This is just for Evelyn. Only this once."


    He didn''t linger. Bending down, he called out, "Princess,e here!" The golden retriever bounded over, tail wagging asn ruffled her ears before leaving.


    As soon asn got into his car, his phone buzzed. He checked the screen, then picked up. "Hello?"


    "Mr. Goodwin, we''ve gotten in touch with someone from Dr. Windsor''sb. The researcher on the neural interface project should be traceable."


    The next morning, right on time,n showed up at Eleanor''s door. He wore a crisp ck-and-white tracksuit-a white T-shirt, ck joggers. The usual sharpness in his demeanor was softened, making him look almost approachable.


    "Daddy!" Evelyn squealed, throwing herself into his arms.


    Eleanor followed behind, face frosty, carrying a tote full of beach toys.


    After about an hour and a half''s drive, they arrived at the shore. Evelyn grabbedn''s hand, practically dragging him toward the sand in excitement.


    Just then, Eleanor''s phone rang-a foreign number. She frowned and picked up. "Hello?"


    "Eleanor, isn with you? Can you hand him the phone? It''s urgent." Vanessa''s voice crackled down the line.


    Eleanor''s face darkened in annoyance. "If you want to talk to him, don''t call me."


    "He told me he''d be home with Evelyn for the holidays. I figured you''d be together."


    Eleanor hung up without another word.


    Immediately, a text from Vanessa appeared: "Eleanor,n''s feelings for Evelyn are


    purely paternal. Don''t get the wrong idea."


    Without hesitation, Eleanor blocked the number.