"I want Daddy to stay with me," Evelyn dered as she wriggled out of Eleanor''s arms and burrowed inton''s embrace.


    No matter how strained things were between them, their love for their daughter was unwavering.


    "Daddy, have you eaten yet?"


    "No,"n replied quietly, ncing down at her.


    Evelyn turned hopefully to Eleanor. "Mommy, can Daddy have dinner with us?" Meeting her daughter''s pleading eyes, Eleanor finally gave a silent nod.


    Joslyn, hearing this from the kitchen, decided to make an extra bowl of pasta since dinner was nearly ready.


    Eleanor didn''t leave the living room either; she was more anxious than anyone about Evelyn''s fever. Ever since her daughter''s lung surgery a year and a half ago, even a simple cough was enough to make Eleanor worry.


    In the softmplight, Evelyn''s features-so much like his own-seemed even more striking.


    The living room fell into a hush. Eleanor sat with her phone, messaging Evelyn''s teacher to ask about her day at school.


    "At naptime, Evelyn didn''t want to take off her sweater," the teacher wrote back. "She woke up sweaty."


    Eleanor thought to herself that this might have been what caused Evelyn''s cold.


    Soon, Evelyn was moring for a story. Ian fetched a picture book and began reading to her, while Joslyn set the dishes on the table. Watching the scene on the couch, Joslyn''s heart skipped-how familiar this looked: Eleanor nearby,n gently reading to their little girl. It used to be a regr sight-a warm family, together.


    "Achoo!" Evelyn sneezed adorably atn.


    Father and daughter broke intoughter. Joslyn couldn''t help noticing how, in this moment,n was nothing like the decisive, intimidating man he was at work. Here, he was just a patient, loving dad.


    "Ma''am, dinner''s ready," Joslyn called.


    "Evelyn, you should eat by yourself," Eleanor chided, frowning.


    Butn picked up a fork and said gently, "Alright, Daddy will feed you a few bites first-then you try on your own, okay?"


    Evelyn smiled and nodded. "Then I''ll feed you, Daddy!"


    The two of them started their old game-Daddy feeds Evelyn, Evelyn feeds Daddyughing as they went.


    Eleanor kept her head down, picking at her food. She couldn''t eat much, too preupied with worry for her daughter. She just hoped Evelyn would eat a little


    more.


    After dinner, Eleanor gave Evelyn some medicine to bring down her fever, still uneasy. By nine o''clock, Evelyn was asleep, curled up inn''s arms. Eleanor approached. "I''ll take her to bed now. You should go."


    But half-asleep, Evelyn opened her eyes and tugged atn''s sleeve. "Don''t go, Daddy."


    Eleanor knew that when her daughter was sick, she became clingy—wanting everyone she loved close by.


    "Alright, Daddy''s not going anywhere,"n reassured her, squeezing her tiny hand. He looked at Eleanor. "I''ll bring her upstairs."


    Eleanor stepped back asn carried Evelyn to the master bedroom, Eleanor quietly following. After tucking Evelyn into bed,n sat at the edge, watching her sleep.


    He''d already changed out of his suit downstairs, now in a ck turtleneck. His dark brows shadowed his gentle gaze.


    Eleanor left the room and sat on the upstairsnding.


    A momentter, Joslyn approached, concern etched on her face. "Ma''am, is Evelyn feeling any better?"


    "Still a low fever," Eleanor replied.


    Eleanor''s voice was icy. "You can leave now."


    Dropping his voice,n said, "I''ll be in the car. Call me if you need anything."


    Joslyn walkedn to the front gate. Halfway there, she blurted out, "Ever since Evelyn was hospitalized, every time she''s sick, you get so anxious, ma''am."


    Joslyn froze, realizing she''d said too much. She quickly waved her hand. "Oh, it''s nothing. I must be remembering wrong."


    Joslyn was rattled, but knowing Evelyn was ill, she decided it was best not to stir


    up trouble. Besides, it had been two years-Evelyn was healthy now. There was no need to worry Mrs. Goodwin.


    "I must be mistaken, Mr. Goodwin. It''s cold out-shall I get you a nket for the car?"


    She swiftly changed the subject.


    "No, that''s alright."n gave her a final, searching look and walked out the gate.


    Joslyn let out a sigh of relief, covering her mouth. She reminded herself to be more careful next time.


    Ifn ever found out Evelyn had been hospitalized for lung surgery, he''d surely be furious that Eleanor hadn''t told him. As her father, he had a right to know about her health. If he ended up resenting Eleanor for it, Joslyn would never forgive herself.