Henry sent another message: "Vanessa, when are youing back? Do you want me toe keep youpany?"


    "No need! I''ll be flying home in a couple of days," Vanessa replied.


    Reading her response, Henry felt a pang of disappointment. He knew Vanessa only wanted the person she cared about most by her side.


    Pushing aside his own thoughts, Henry looked up to see Eleanor finishing up feeding soup to Xavier. He rapped lightly on the door before stepping inside with a grin. "Looks like I picked the wrong time to show up!"


    Eleanor nced back, surprised to see him. Xavier checked the time, then turned to her. "Why don''t you head home? The kids are probably waiting for you. I''ll have Henry keep an eye on me."


    Eleanor nodded. "Alright."


    "My driver will be here to pick up Vivian at eight thirty," Xavier added.


    "Okay. Get some rest. I''lle by to check on you tomorrow," Eleanor said, grabbing her bag. She exchanged only a brief look with Henry on her way out.


    Henry''s smile faltered a little. Ever since theirst private conversation, Eleanor had been keeping her distance. He still felt guilty for the impulsive things he''d said that day.


    After Eleanor left, Henry pulled up a chair and sat down beside Xavier. "How''d you get hurt? Is it serious?"


    "Broke my arm. The rest are just scrapes and bruises," Xavier replied.


    "I asked how it happened," Henry pressed. He could sense Xavier was hiding something.


    Xavier hesitated, then gave in. "Eleanor was crossing the street-almost got hit by


    a car. I pushed her out of the way and couldn''t dodge in time myself."


    Henry''s eyes widened. "So you saved her life again?" Twice now Xavier had risked himself for Eleanor, and from the way she''d fussed over him earlier, Henry wondered if gratitude might soon be something more.


    Xavier caught the look in Henry''s eyes and grew serious. "Look, Henry, I''m not going to use what happened to manipte Eleanor. And I''d appreciate it if you stopped bringing it up."


    Henry sighed. "Rescue is rescue. Love is love. They''re not the same. Just like whenn married Eleanor out of gratitude-well, we all know how that worked out."


    He hoped Xavier could see the difference. Just because he''d saved Eleanor didn''t mean she owed him her heart.


    Xavier dropped his gaze, a bitter smile flickering across his face. "I know the difference."


    Henry gave his shoulder a pat. "Alright, I said I wouldn''t meddle in your business, and I meant it. If you want to pursue her, go for it. Evenn doesn''t mind-why should I?"


    "Are you suren truly doesn''t mind?" Xavier asked suddenly, looking up.


    Henry hesitated. "What, you thinkn''s the type to try to win her back?"


    Xavier narrowed his eyes. He used to think he understood his two friends, but now he realized everyone kept secrets.


    He didn''t answer, and Henry cleared his throat. "Alright, let''s drop the subject."


    Back at home, Eleanor found Joslyn looking after the twins, the two little ones ying happily together. She headed upstairs, pulled out her phone, and called Byron.


    "Hey, Eleanor."


    "Mr. Chase, I''d like to request a week off."


    "A whole week?"


    "Yes, one week."


    "Alright, I''ll approve it for you," Byron agreed easily. The neural interface project was still in its nning stages, so it wasn''t a problem.


    After the call, Eleanor sighed, reying the moment Xavier had pushed her out of harm''s way. The thought of what could have happened-if that car hadn''t stopped -sent chills down her spine.


    She closed her eyes, forcing herself not to dwell on it, but the fear lingered.


    At eight thirty, Xavier''s driver arrived to take Vivian home.


    Eleanor busied herself bathing her daughter and reading bedtime stories until nearly ten. Evelyn fell asleep nestled in her arms. Eleanor picked up her phone, intending to unwind with a short video, but a headline on the entertainment feed caught her eye, making her squint.


    It was a repost of Vanessa''stest update—a photo of her beaming with pride, clutching a trophy.


    The caption read, "Thank you for giving me the chance to prove myself again and again. Good things are worth waiting for-they alwayse."


    Beneath it, a reporter added, "Looks like our superstar has not only snagged an international award, but found happiness as well! Fans want to know-when will we see you walk down the aisle?"


    Top of thements was, "Heard Ms. Shannon''s boyfriend is none other than Goodwin & Co. CEO,n!"


    "A perfect match-wishing our queen all the happiness in the world!"


    Right then, a sh of lightning split the sky outside. Startled, Eleanor dropped her phone and immediately covered her daughter''s ears as a p of thunder shook the windows. Her face went pale.


    She''d always been sensitive to loud noises-thunderstorms and fireworks had terrified her as a child. But now, as a mother, she forced herself to stay calm for her daughter''s sake.


    After a few more rumbles, rain began to drum against the ss, and Eleanor''s mind wandered restlessly.


    Her phone buzzed. Sleepy but curious, she nced at the screen.


    "Is something wrong? Why are you taking a week off?"


    -It wasn.


    She ignored the message, but another soon followed. "I''m flying home tonight."


    Eleanor tossed her phone aside with a cold expression, holding her daughter close as she drifted off to sleep.


    The next morning, after dropping her daughter off at school, Eleanor packed up breakfast and headed to the hospital to check on Xavier.


    Xavier had told her yesterday not to mention the ident to his mother, so Eleanor felt responsible for looking after him herself.


    When she arrived, a nurse was hooking up Xavier''s IV. She adjusted the drip rate, sneaking nces at Xavier-after all, it wasn''t every day you saw a man that handsome and charismatic.