Joslyn waited untiln had left the house before she went upstairs to tell Eleanor what had happened.


    Eleanor was in her study, working on a report. When she heard Joslyn''s update, she frowned, clearly irritated.


    "Ma''am, was that Mr. Goodwin''s friend''s suit?" Joslyn asked, needing to be sure. Eleanor nodded.


    Joslyn let out a breath of relief. Still, she couldn''t help but thinkn had probably acted that way out of jealousy. After all, Eleanor hade home wearing another man''s jacket; her ex-husband was bound to mind, at least a little.


    That night, Eleanor tucked her daughter into bed early.


    But as soon as she closed her eyes, her thoughts betrayed her, reyingn''s words when he took Vanessa''s hand: "Your life matters to me. Without my permission, you''re not allowed to hurt yourself again."


    The possessiveness inn''s voice was unmistakable.


    Frustrated, Eleanor opened her eyes and stared out the window. She shook off her thoughts, got up, and went back to her study. Work was the only thing that could quiet her restless mind.


    The next morning, Eleanor took her daughter out for a little shopping with Joy Thatcher, spending a peaceful afternoon together.


    At a café, Evelyn sat nearby, flipping through a new picture book while Eleanor and Joy chatted over tea.


    "Your birthday''sing up. Any ns?" Joy asked.


    "I''ll just spend it quietly at home with Evelyn," Eleanor replied, keeping it simple.


    "What''s the matter-worried someone will give you another expensive gift?" Joy leaned closer and teased her in a low voice.


    Eleanor nodded, admitting it.


    "It''s true. It''s one thing on a normal day, but getting an extravagant present on your birthday is awkward to deal with," Joy agreed.


    Just then, Eleanor''s phone buzzed. She nced at the screen, and Joy peered over, nudging Eleanor''s shoulder with a mischievous smile. "Xavier really cares about you, huh?"


    It was a message from Xavier: *Eleanor, are you feeling better?*


    He must have heard about her getting dizzy in the windst night. Eleanor replied, *I''m fine now, thanks for checking in.*


    *d to hear it,* Xavier texted back.


    Eleanor thought about mentioning the suit, but decided against it. Sincen had promised to return it to Xavier soon, she figured there was no rush.


    She set her phone aside and the two women drifted into easy, private conversation.


    On Monday morning, Eleanor dropped her daughter off at school. While waiting at a red light, she decided to visit Mansfield at the hospital during her lunch break. She sent him a quick message.


    *Which hospital are you in? I''ll stop by at noon if you''re free.*


    *Metropolitan General Hospital,* Mansfield replied, including his room number and floor.


    Eleanor headed to Meridian Dynamics for the morning meeting,ying out the week''s research schedule.


    "We''ve got a meeting at Goodwin & Co. headquarters this Wednesday," Byron announced. "Eleanor, you and Joel wille with me."


    Eleanor frowned. "Mr. Chase, do I have to go?"


    Faye shot her a look, thinking Eleanor was being aloof again. Getting invited to a meeting at Goodwin & Co. headquarters was a privilege, after all.


    "I''ll have to check with the higher-ups, but there''s no rush," Byron said with a strained smile.


    Everyone in the room knew exactly who he meant by "higher-ups."


    Faye clearly wanted the chance, but it didn''t look like Byron was willing to let anyone else take Eleanor''s ce.


    "No need to check—I''m not going," Eleanor replied, raising an eyebrow.


    "That''s fine," Joel said. "If Eleanor doesn''t go, I''ll take notes and fill her in afterwards."


    Byron hesitated, but let it go. "Alright, Eleanor, you''re off the hook."