"Hello?"


    "Ms. Sutton, the Vaughn Group''s thirtieth anniversary g is going to be held at our hotel. Will you be joining us?"


    Eleanor paused, surprised. She hadn''t expected Xavier to host the event at the Vesper Joy Hotel.


    "He just invited me today," she replied.


    "Yes, we''re almost done with the preparations. I meant to mention itst time, but I got caught up and forgot," Ellington apologized.


    "It''s fine. Just make sure everything goes smoothly. Don''t let Mr. Vaughn down."


    "Of course, absolutely. After all, he''s a friend of Mr. Goodwin''s too!" Ellington added with a chuckle.


    Eleanor ended the call.


    At the dining table, Joslyn looked at her. "Would you like to celebrate your birthday at home next week, ma''am?"


    Eleanor blinked, realizing how quickly time had passed. Another birthday was right around the corner.


    "I''ll think about it," she said softly. This past year had been so full, she''d barely noticed how quickly it had flown by.


    The next three days, Eleanor and Joel headed out to the research facility to do some groundwork for their uing project.


    The engineers were busy, carving out a self-contained work zone.


    At lunch in the cafeteria, Eleanor sat with Simone Langley, catching up on things. Simone, ever the traditionalist, couldn''t help but steer the conversation toward Eleanor''s personal life.


    "Eleanor, I can see Joel treats you well. If you have the time, maybe you should think about your own happiness."


    Eleanor knew Simone meant well. She looked up with a smile. "Professor Langley, honestly, I barely have a minute to myself these days."


    Simone, now fifty-five, had once let her own research overshadow everything else -including finding a partner. She didn''t want Eleanor to end up the same way: sessful, but alone.


    "There''s no rush. You''re only twenty-seven," Simone said gently.


    "Almost twenty-eight," Eleanor replied with augh.


    "You''re still young, plenty of time left," Simone reassured her. "But don''t let the right one slip by, either."


    Eleanor nodded, though in truth, her work and her daughter were her whole world now. Romance just wasn''t something she needed anymore.


    The week slipped by, and Friday afternoon arrived before she knew it.


    Xavier was getting busier as well, so Vivian''s pick-up was handled by the nanny. When the nanny saw Eleanor, she greeted her warmly-no doubt because her employer had always spoken so fondly of Eleanor.


    Eleanor exchanged a few friendly words with her, as she often did.


    On Saturday morning, Eleanor dressed her daughter in a custom-made princess dress-warm and beautiful.


    "Mom, when are we leaving?" Evelyn bounced with excitement.


    "We''ll head to the hotel for lunch, and then the g''s in the evening."


    "Will Daddy be there? He and Mr. Vaughn are good friends!" Evelyn piped up.


    Eleanor''s smile faltered for a moment. Theplexities of adult life were far beyond the understanding of a six-year-old.


    She kissed her daughter''s forehead. "I''m not sure, sweetheart. Why don''t you go y with Wiz while I get ready?"


    Eleanor chose a long, elegant evening gown-its tailored lines highlighting her figure. She applied a light touch of makeup and pinned her hair up, slender neck exposed.


    By noon, Eleanor and Evelyn arrived at the Vesper Joy Hotel. Ellington greeted them at the entrance.


    "Ms. Sutton, wee," he said, then crouched down to Evelyn''s level. "And good afternoon, little miss."


    Evelyn, already used to formal asions thanks ton, smiled brightly. "Good afternoon, Mr. Ellington!"


    "Our little princess gets more beautiful every day," Ellington said warmly, then turned to Eleanor. "Ms. Sutton, why don''t you and your daughter rx in your room? Lunch will be sent up shortly."


    Eleanor nodded, taking Evelyn''s hand as they headed to the elevator. No sooner had they settled in than her phone rang-Xavier, asking if Vivian coulde over to y.


    Eleanor was happy for the girls to spend time together. Soon, the nanny brought Vivian over, and the two children threw their arms around each other, giggling with delight.


    After lunch, the doorbell rang. Eleanor opened it to find Xavier standing in the hallway, looking sharp in a deep blue suit. The way he paused to take in her understated elegance didn''t escape her.


    There was something timeless in Eleanor''s beauty that day—a quiet, ssic grace, like a white magnolia blooming in early spring.


    "You look stunning," Xavier said, his voice sincere.


    "Thank you. How''s the setuping along?" she asked.


    "Thanks to Ellington''s team, everything is perfect."


    The two girls soon grew restless and begged to go downstairs. Eleanor and


    Xavier had little choice but to take them to the children''s lounge.


    Just as they stepped out of the suite, Evelyn shouted gleefully, "Daddy!"


    Eleanor stiffened. She and Xavier turned to see who she was calling.


    Under the soft hallway lights,n appeared in a perfectly tailored ck suit, looking as cool andposed as ever.


    He was on the phone, but at Evelyn''s excited shout he nced over. When he saw Eleanor and Xaviering out together, his gaze lingered on Eleanor before shifting to Xavier, somethingplicated flickering in his eyes.


    n, you made it," Xavier greeted him, his tone even.


    "I did!" Evelyn wrapped her arms around his neck, then turned to Eleanor. "Mom, Daddy''s here!"


    Eleanor gave a small nod. "Do you still want to go to the yroom?"


    Evelyn slid down fromn''s arms at once. "Daddy, I''m going to y!"


    Vivian tugged at Xavier''s hand. "Uncle, let''s go!"


    Eleanor took Evelyn''s hand, Xavier took Vivian''s, and together they headed for the elevators.<pn stood in the hallway, watching Eleanor and Xavier walk away until they disappeared around the corner. Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed through his chest. He pressed his hand to his heart, struggling to catch his breath.