"Get plenty of rest, and don''t forget your medication," Eleanor reminded him gently before picking up her bag and leaving.


    Mansfield watched her go, his head resting back against the pillow. He sighed softly. Even a brief visit was more than he''d hoped for.


    On her way back to the hotel, Eleanor textedn: *My flight''s at 2 p.m. this afternoon. Bring Evelyn back to the hotel, please.*


    *We''re already here,*n replied.


    When Eleanor arrived, Joslyn had finished packing. Ian led Evelyn over, and just as they reached the lobby, Gavin appeared, wheeling his suitcase. Clearly, they were checking out as well.


    "Mom, Dad''sing home with us," Evelyn announced cheerfully.


    Eleanor had already guessed they''d be on the same flight back to Ashford City.


    On the drive to the airport, Evelyn rode withn, while Eleanor gazed out the window, watching the scenery slide by. The trip, she thought, hade to a smooth close.


    Evelyn was brimming with happiness; in her mind, this had been a family adventure-Mom and Dad together.


    Half an hour after takeoff, Evelyn was curled up inn''sp, fast asleep under a thin nket, her little face serene and peaceful.


    Joslyn watched the scene, her heart full. She had seen, more than anyone, how devotedn was to Evelyn. From the moment she was born, she had been his treasure.


    Except for that one time-


    The time Evelyn fell ill. At first, everyone thought it was just a normal fever, but when the medication didn''t work after three days, they took her to the hospital. That''s when they learned her lungs were badly infected.


    It had happened during a nationwide outbreak of a children''s virus. Hospitals everywhere were overflowing, doctors stretched thin and sometimes making mistakes.


    That night, Eleanor had forbidden Joslyn from contactingn. To this day, he didn''t know that his beloved daughter had undergone a lungvage procedure. Thankfully, she recovered well, with no side effects.


    But ifn ever learned what Evelyn had endured, Joslyn knew he''d be devastated.


    She nced at Eleanor, who was quietly reading a medical journal. There was a calm, intelligent focus about her now-a far cry from the young woman who once leaned so heavily onn.


    Eleanor did nce over at her daughter from time to time, but her gaze lingered only on Evelyn''s sleeping face.


    When the nended, Evelyn was still asleep in her father''s arms, warm and content, unwilling to let go. Ian carried her off the ne and all the way to Eleanor''s car, where Joslyn took Evelyn from him.


    "Is Mansfield feeling any better?"n asked Eleanor, breaking the silence.


    Eleanor frowned, clearly not wanting to answer.


    Eleanor climbed in, cradling her daughter, who was still warm from sleep. She caught a faint trace ofn''s cologne on Evelyn''s clothes-a cool, cedar scent. Frowning, she cracked the window, letting the breeze clear the air.


    Back home, Evelyn was full of energy. Princess, their dog, was still at the local pet hotel and woulde home tomorrow.


    Eleanor retreated to her study to deal with emails. One was from York Windsor: hisb was runching next Monday, and Eleanor was invited to the opening ceremony. She fully intended to go. Meridian Dynamics would certainly send representatives as well.


    The next morning, Eleanor dropped Evelyn off at school and ran into Xavier. He''d been busytely, but hadn''t missed the live broadcast of Eleanor''s award ceremony.


    "Congrattions on your award," Xavier said, his smile gentle in the morning sun. "I watched the whole thingst night—it was fantastic."


    Eleanor smiled back. "Thank you."


    "You''ll be at Dr. Windsor''sb reopening on Monday, right?” he asked.


    "I will," Eleanor nodded.


    "I''ll be there too. Maybe we could grab a coffee after the ceremony?"


    Eleanor nodded again. "Sure, let''s n on it."


    She nced at her watch. "Sorry, I have to go, or I''ll miss the morning meeting." Xavier nodded, watching her leave, a small smile ying at his lips.


    The ss fa?ade of Meridian Dynamics gleamed in the morning light. As Eleanor stepped into the lobby, the receptionists greeted her with congrattions. "Dr. Sutton, congrattions!"


    She smiled in acknowledgement, and as she walked through the building, colleagues offered their best wishes. The award she''d won brought prestige to everyone, and her abilities were no longer in doubt.


    Entering her office, Eleanor paused in surprise—a bouquet of flowers sat on her desk. Who could have sent them?


    Gwenda came in. "Eleanor, someone dropped off flowers for you first thing this morning."


    Eleanor picked up the card tucked into the bouquet: *Congrattions, Miss Sutton -Xavier.*


    "Wow! Mr. Vaughn sent them?" Gwenda eximed, delighted.


    Eleanor hesitated, surprised by Xavier''s thoughtfulness.


    "Come on, Eleanor, be honest are you and Mr. Vaughn dating?" Gwenda


    whispered. "You can tell me, I swear I won''t breathe a word."


    Eleanor justughed and shook her head. "We''re just friends."


    After the morning meeting, Byron approached her. "Eleanor, Dr. Windsor''sb runch is next week. He''s invited you and Mr. Goodwin to take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony."


    Eleanor''s expression soured; she frowned, then stood and walked out.


    Just then, Byron''s phone rang. He answered. "Hello, Mr. Goodwin?"<pn''s low voice came through the line. "I won''t be able to attend Dr. Windsor''s ribbon-cutting. Please send my regrets-I''ll be out of town."