Xavier''s gaze lingered on Eleanor, who watched the children at the piano with gentle eyes. The evening sun wrapped around them in a warm, golden glow.


    He drifted off for a moment, imagining how wonderful it would be if, someday, the four of them could truly be a family-just the way others might describe them.


    At eight o''clock that night, Eleanor sat with her daughter, reading a picture book together. Her phone chimed with a new message: "Eleanor, I''m sorry. Next time, I promise I''ll ask for your permission first."


    The number was unfamiliar, but Eleanor guessed it was Vanessa. She didn''t know what prompted the apology, but she suspected Vanessa had already brought the incident up withn-maybe he''d asked her to reach out.


    Eleanor set the phone aside, refusing to waste any more energy on Vanessa andn. Shaking off those thoughts, she turned back to her daughter, continuing their storytime.


    Around ten, after tucking her daughter into bed, Eleanor retreated to her study in search of a book. Her father''s old bookshelf stood against the wall, and as she browsed, she suddenly noticed a notebook tucked among the volumes-a journal she was certain she''d never seen before.


    Surprised, Eleanor sat down and began to flip through the pages. Her father''s handwriting greeted her, and her eyes stung with tears as she pictured him hunched over his desk, scribbling away.


    The notebook contained detailed research data mixed with his personal theories. Reading them now, Eleanor realized that many had since been proven true, a testament to her father''s extraordinary talent in medicine.


    She turned the pages slowly, savoring each one. The dates indicated these notes were made two years before he passed.


    As she read, a mouse suddenly darted out the window, startling her so much that she dropped the notebook. It wasn''t that she was afraid of mice—just that the sudden noise in the quiet of night caught her off guard.


    Recovering, Eleanor picked up the notebook and set it aside, then crossed the room to close the window. Joslyn had mentioned recently that they might have a mouse problem; old houses like this always seemed to.


    It was close to eleven by the time Eleanor checked the clock. She ced the notebook on her desk, deciding to read more another day. By chance, the page she''d left open was titled: Early Symptoms of Leukemia.


    She didn''t linger on it, but closed the notebook, turned off the light, and went to bed.


    The next morning, Eleanor woke her daughter and started the day. Thankfully, her sleep had been restful; her reflection in the mirror showed thick, dark hair framing her delicate face, clear skin, and bright eyes-a picture of health.


    Before she''d even left the house, work messages started pinging in the group chat. With the new project justunched, there was still a mountain of preparation ahead.


    On her drive to Meridian Dynamics, York called to say he''d be at Friday''s banquet too, attending as a representative expert from Starnova Group.


    Upon arriving at the office, Eleanor found Gwenda cing a coffee on her desk-


    a small gesture that warmed her heart. "Thank you, Gwenda."


    "Don''t mention it!" Gwenda grinned and bustled off to her own tasks.


    A littleter, Callie messaged with a few questions, and just like that, Eleanor''s morning was gone.


    At noon, Byron invited everyone to lunch at the restaurant across the street. With Meridian Dynamics'' generous budget, meals were never an issue.


    Midway through lunch, Eleanor''s phone rang. It was Simone, calling from the Academy of Sciences. There was to be an awards ceremony-and Eleanor''s name was on the list.


    "The ceremony''s scheduled for mid-November," Simone said. "Make sure you set aside time. This is a national-level award."


    "I will, Professor Langley. Thank you." Eleanor''s delight was unmistakable. Simone''s voice grew wistful. "Eleanor, I hope someday I''ll see you on the Nobel stage, making us all proud."


    The goal felt impossibly high, too distant to even dream of. Eleanorughed softly. "Professor Langley, I''m already so grateful for what I have. I wouldn''t dare hope for the impossible."


    "Who says it''s impossible?" Simone''s tone sharpened. "You''re the most talented student I''ve ever taught. Your father''s research was ahead of its time, and your neural interface project already achieved a breakthrough two years ago."


    Eleanor smiled. "Thank you for believing in me."


    "In research, both talent and hard work are essential, and you have both. I expect great things from you."


    "I understand. I''ll keep working hard," Eleanor said, her humility sincere.


    For now, the award list was only for internal cirction, but the official announcement woulde next week.


    After what happenedst night with Vanessa approaching her daughter, Eleanor made a point to speak with the school principal. She didn''t hide the fact that Vanessa was the one who''d broken up her marriage, and the principal took the matter seriously.


    Given Vanessa''s history, it was clear she shouldn''t be allowed near Evelyn. If she ever acted with ill intent, the school would be responsible.


    Evelyn''s teacher, Miss Alice, promised to alert Eleanor immediately if Vanessa showed up at school again.


    Eleanor decided that next time she saw Vanessa near her daughter, she wouldn''t hesitate to call the police. She figured one visit from the authorities would be enough to make Vanessa think twice.


    On Friday evening, as Eleanor arrived at the school gates, she spotted Gina approaching.


    "Eleanor!" Gina called out. n told me you''re attending the banquet tonight. Why don''t you let Evelyn have dinner at my ce?"