Eleanor pulled up to Goodwin Manor to pick up her daughter. A housekeeper


    greeted her at the door and invited her to wait inside the living room, but Eleanor politely declined. A few momentster, Gina appeared, leading Evelyn by the hand.


    "Mom!" Evelyn cried with delight, running straight into Eleanor''s arms.


    Eleanor scooped her up, nodding to Gina. "We''ll head out, then."


    "Thank you for everything, Eleanor," Gina said.


    Eleanor paused, surprised-Gina had never expressed gratitude like this before.


    "It''s really no trouble," Eleanor replied, then carried her daughter out to the car.


    "Wow, Mom! Is this my present?" Evelyn asked, hugging the new gift she''d brought with her.


    "It is," Eleanor answered honestly. "Your dad picked it out for you."


    Evelyn beamed, immediately turning on the car''s dome light and tearing into the wrapping paper with intense concentration.


    When they got home, Evelyn was still clutching her half-unwrapped present as they walked inside. Eleanor was about to head upstairs when her phone rang. The unfamiliar number on the screen startled her it was domestic, but not one she recognized.


    She answered, "Hello? Who''s this?"


    "Eleanor? This is Garth." The voice was deep,manding, but gentle.


    Eleanor''s breath caught. "Secretary Ellington, sir?”


    "In private, just call me Mr. Ellington," Garth said, his tone carrying a hint of weariness.


    Eleanor corrected herself. "Of course, Mr. Ellington. Is there something I can help you with?"


    "Has Mansfielde to see you recently?" Garth asked.


    Eleanor didn''t dare lie. "Yes, he came by around half past eight tonight."


    "Would you mind telling me what you talked about before he left?"


    A knot tightened in Eleanor''s chest. She answered truthfully, "We only spoke for a little while. He said he was heading overseas for a mission—he didn''t mention the details-but I could tell he was determined to go. He said when he came back, dinner would be on me."


    There was a brief pause. "Was there anything else?" Garth pressed.


    "He—he asked for a hug. Said it was a farewell between friends," Eleanor whispered, biting her lip.


    Garth sighed on the other end. "He''s been stubborn since he was a boy. This time, he insisted on volunteering for the most dangerous frontline."


    Eleanor''s heart twisted. "Mr. Ellington, is he going somewhere dangerous?"


    "Eleanor, thank you for giving him hope." Garth''s voice softened, paternal and warm. "Don''t worry. He''lle home safe. Apart from his family, you''re what he holds on to. Having someone toe back to it''s a good thing."


    Eleanor understood what he meant, and her eyes stung with tears. In that moment, she wished with all her heart that she could be the reason Mansfield Ellington fought to return safely.


    Because when you have someone waiting for you, it gives you the strength to survive anything.


    After Garth hung up, Eleanor stood motionless in the front yard, unable to calm her racing thoughts.


    A week passed.


    Eleanor found herself glued to her phone, checking every message and call, though none brought the news she longed for. She knew the Ellington family must be even more anxious than she was.


    Another week slipped by. Eleanor was preupied with overseeing the clinical trials for a new medication, her nerves stretched thin. She even missed an


    important meeting email, only realizing it when Andie hurried over.


    "Eleanor, did you not see the email? The meeting''s at two-thirty!"


    Eleanor blinked, looking up. "Oh! I''ll be right there."


    After Andie left, Eleanor rubbed her tired eyes, gathered her files, and made her way to the conference room.


    Her mind was elsewhere. Rounding a corner near the elevators, she collided suddenly with someoneing from the other direction.


    Her forehead bumped into a firm chest. She looked up and found herself gazing into deep, dark eyes. Ian stood there, impably dressed in a crisp suit, looking down at her.