Eleanor nced up. Sure enough, snowkes had begun to drift down outside the window, swirling under the streetlights and painting the world in a spectacr


    hush.


    At the table,n and Evelyn were deep in discussion about dinner. Ian patiently exined the menu to his daughter, pointing out the choices. Meanwhile, Eleanor had already settled on her own order.


    As soon as she finished,n''s phone buzzed. He nced at the screen, then stood up. "I''ll take this call," he said, stepping away.


    Left at the table, Eleanor pulled out her phone and snapped a few adorable photos of Evelyn. Just then, Evelyn''s eyes wandered to the next table, where a little girl sat in front of a whimsically shaped ice cream sundae-something Evelyn recognized from her own memories.


    "What are you thinking about?" Eleanor asked, noticing her daughter''s sudden quiet.


    "Mom, I''ve had that ice cream before," Evelyn replied, her voice soft with nostalgia.


    Eleanor stiffened ever so slightly. That particr sundae was only served at a restaurant in Drexford-nowhere else. Clearly,n must have brought Evelyn there before, perhaps with Vanessa, leaving an impression on their daughter.


    Eleanor''s heart softened as she watched Evelyn steal nce after nce at the dessert. She leaned in, her voice gentle. "Evelyn, if you''d like, I can order one for us. But let''s share it together, okay?"


    Evelyn''s face lit up. "Yes, Mom! Let''s share."


    Eleanor called over the waiter and ordered the same yful sundae. When it arrived, she and Evelyn dug in together,ughter and sweetness shared between them.


    A few minutester,n returned. He sat down, watching as his daughter and Eleanor enjoyed the ice cream together, their faces bright with happiness.


    "Mom, you''ve got cream on your lips!" Evelyn giggled, pointing with a tiny finger.


    Eleanor reached for a napkin, but before she could, she instinctively licked the cream away and wiped her mouth with her hand.


    Across the table,n''s gaze darkened for a moment. He silently pulled a napkin from the holder and offered it to her.


    Eleanor hesitated, not wanting to take it from him, but Evelyn grabbed it and handed it over. "Here, Mom."


    Reluctantly, Eleanor epted the napkin from her daughter and dabbed at her lips. Evelyn, meanwhile, was already scooping another spoonful and offering it up ton.


    "Daddy, you should try some," she said, holding out the spoon.


    Eleanor turned her face away, suddenly remembering that her daughter had just fed her several bites with that same spoon.


    Then Evelyn turned to her again, spoon poised. "Mom, have another bite!"


    Eleanor suppressed her mild difort and smiled gently. "Mommy''s had plenty. You go ahead, sweetheart."


    When the main course arrived, Eleanor focused solely on helping Evelyn with her meal, never once ncing atn on the other side of the table.


    By seven-thirty, Eleanor was in one of the hotel''s meeting rooms, preparing to meet with Smith.


    "Dr. Sutton, it''s been a while," Smith greeted her, apanied by two assistants.


    "Dr. Smith, good evening," Eleanor replied politely.


    Just then,n arrived, holding Evelyn''s hand. Before Eleanor could react, Smith''s face broke into a delighted grin as he greeted Evelyn warmly. "Well, if it isn''t our little angel-look how much you''ve grown!"


    Eleanor''s heart skipped a beat. Smith knows my daughter?