The smile faded from Eleanor''s face as she turned away, gazing off into the distance.


    Xavier grinned and exined, "I was justplimenting Eleanor on how she handled the shareholders for you this time."


    A heavy silence settled between the three of them.


    Just then, the school gates opened. Ian turned to Eleanor. "I''ll go get Evelyn." He took a few steps, then nced back at Xavier with a raised eyebrow. "Youing?"


    Xavier nodded and fell in beside him. The two men headed into the school to pick up the child.


    A few minutester,n emerged, holding Evelyn Goodwin by the hand.


    "Mom!" Evelyn darted forward, wrapping her arms around Eleanor''s legs and looking up at her with bright eyes. "Mom, can we have dinner with Dad tonight?"


    "Joslyn''s already made us dinner," Eleanor said, gently ruffling her daughter''s hair. "But can Dad join us for dinner at our house?" Evelyn pleaded.


    Eleanor smiled softly. "He''s busy, sweetheart. He just said he has to go back to work for a meeting."


    "Really?" Evelyn asked, looking up at her father.


    "That''s right, honey," he said, picking up on Eleanor''s cue. "Dad has some urgent work tonight, but I''ll have dinner with you two another time."


    "Okay, then."


    "But hey, it''s still early. I can walk you home."


    "Let''s walk!" Evelyn chirped, handing her backpack to Eleanor. "Mom, I''ll walk with Dad. You can go ahead!"


    Eleanor hesitated for a moment but didn''t want to spoil her daughter''s excitement. She picked up the backpack and headed toward the car. Vivian, waiting in the car, waved at Evelyn. "See you, Evelyn!"


    "Bye, Vivian!" Evelyn waved back.


    When Eleanor arrived home, Joslyn was surprised to see she was alone. "Ma''am, where''s Evelyn?"


    "She''s walking home with her dad," Eleanor replied.


    Joslyn looked startled, then asked, "I haven''t started the rice yet-should I?”


    "No need," Eleanor cut her off quickly. "He''s just dropping Evelyn off."


    Joslyn nodded, understanding. From her perspective, she always hoped Mrs. Goodwin and Mr. Goodwin would get back together. After all, Evelyn was still so young. She deserved aplete family.


    Twenty minutester, Joslyn noticed Princess barking at the door and knewn and Evelyn had returned. She opened the door for them.


    "Okay! Bye, Daddy!" Evelyn waved, then dashed into the yard.


    Princess bounded over, tail wagging. Ian scratched her head, a little ritual that had be second nature. It didn''t feel right to leave without giving Princess a pat.


    Aftern left, Joslyn closed the door and paused.


    Had Mr. Goodwin''s temper mellowed? Or was she just imagining it?


    That evening, Eleanor video-chatted with Joy Thatcher. Joy''s wedding was only three days away, and she was feeling pre-wedding jitters. Eleanor tried to reassure her.


    "I''m so nervous!" Joy chewed her thumbnail on screen. "What if something goes wrong at the wedding? And my college friends are making me sing in front of everyone—and they want Frazier Jeffries to sing too. Honestly, they''re just setting me up!"


    Eleanor couldn''t help butugh.