Joy reached out gently. "Ellie, you can''t let one failed marriage—”


    Eleanor''s gaze was clear and calm. "I really enjoy the pace of life I have now. Xavier''s helped me a lot, and I''m grateful for that. Mansfield Ellington is a wonderful friend, and Joel has always been a wise mentor. But rtionships aren''t something you can force."


    Joy knew Eleanor well. She simply didn''t know how to turn people down, nor did she want to hurt anyone.


    So, when someone tried to get close and offered her warmth, all she felt was overwhelmed and deeply thankful-never quite sure what to do with those feelings.


    "If you met the right person, would you really just let it pass you by?" Joy asked softly, her concern in to see.


    Eleanor set her coffee cup down, her eyes warm but resolute. “Joy, I''m in a good ce. It''s not that I''m afraid of marriage—I just know exactly what I want."


    Jumping into a rtionship just for the sake of it, Eleanor thought, would be unfair to everyone involved.


    Besides, she had a daughter to think about. There was no way she could give herself fully to someone else; her daughter would alwayse first.


    Joy smiled. "Exactly. After a divorce, you have to learn to love yourself first. You can still have a wonderful life on your own, you know."


    Eleanor nodded. Joy had voiced exactly what she felt.


    It was nearing eight o''clock when they parted ways. As Eleanor stepped out, her phone buzzed. She nced at the caller ID-Mansfield Ellington. For a moment, she hesitated.


    "Hello? Mansfield?"


    "I''m outside your ce. Could youe out for a minute? There''s something I''d like to say to you in person."


    Eleanor actually had something to discuss with him, too. "Sure. I''m out right now, but I''ll be home in ten minutes."


    "I''ll wait."


    Meanwhile, a rugged SUV was making its way toward Eleanor''s house-Gavin behind the wheel.


    Thest time at the airport,n had picked out a gift for Evelyn, but in the chaos, Gavin had forgotten all about it. Only half an hour ago, while rummaging through the trunk, he''d found it again, so now he was hurrying to drop it off at Eleanor''s.


    Just as Eleanor''s car pulled up in front of her house, she spotted the ck Range Rover parked out front, and Mansfield Ellington-dressed in a dark coat-waiting beneath the big sycamore tree.


    She parked and stepped out. Across the road, Gavin caught a glimpse of her and thought about handing over the gift in person. But as he was about to get out, he saw someone else approach Eleanor.


    He recognized him instantly-it was the same man who''d knelt to tie Eleanor''s shoces at the museum.


    Gavin didn''t want to interrupt. All he could do was wait.


    A crisp autumn breeze cut through the evening. Mansfield stood under the broad branches, the streemp casting a soft glow over his tall frame.


    "What brings you here all of a sudden?" Eleanor asked with a gentle smile.


    Mansfield took a deep breath. "I''ve just received an urgent assignment. I''ll be overseas for a while." His eyes were intense and unwavering. "Before I go, there are some things I wanted to say to you in person."


    Eleanor''s heart skipped a beat at the word "overseas." Her mind shed to troubled, war-torn countries, and a knot tightened in her chest. “Is it dangerous?"


    He smiled, brushing off her concern. "Nothing I can''t handle."


    She hesitated, but the truth was clear-wherever Mansfield was needed, danger was never far behind.


    "For a while, I probably won''t be able to text or call much. So... don''t forget about me, alright?" Mansfield shoved his hands in his pockets, trying to sound lighthearted.


    Eleanor understood the message behind his words. He was heading somewhere risky.


    She looked up, meeting his eyes, her voice soft but unwavering. "Promise me you''lle back safe. Otherwise, I can''t guarantee I''ll remember you."