"So what''s been bothering youtely?"


    Seeing that his mother wouldn''t let the matter drop, Xavier finally sighed and said, "Eleanor''s got plenty of admirers-most of them better than me. I''m just worried I don''t stand a chance."


    Mrs. Vaughn shot him a look. "You''re hardly second best. Pull yourself together! Eleanor is exactly the kind of daughter-inw I want, and I''m not letting you miss this opportunity."


    Xavier managed a rueful smile. "Mom, rtionships don''t work like that. Eleanor''s been through a lot. She''s not someone you can just waltz into the heart of."


    "All the more reason for you to keep trying," Mrs. Vaughn insisted. "You''ve got your strengths. Besides, she''s going to have to start a new chapter eventually."


    Xavier fell silent, lost in thought, and let out a long breath.


    "Enough moping. Take Vivian to Drexford-perfect chance to run into Eleanor ''by ident.""


    n''s there too," Xavier muttered, exhaling again.


    Mrs. Vaughn''s tone turned knowing. "A woman who''s determined enough to get a divorce? Trust me, she''s not going back. Especially not after everything she''s endured, with a child in tow. Women like that-they''re done for good."


    "I''ll do my best, then," Xavier said, a fresh resolve flickering in his eyes.


    "That''s my boy." Mrs. Vaughn nodded in satisfaction. "And remember, don''t wait for the girl to make the first move. Take the initiative."


    Xavier couldn''t help butugh. "Okay, Mom, you don''t have to worry about that."


    ...


    Meanwhile, in the garden of a stately home, Mansfield''s phone buzzed. He picked it up and nced at the screen.


    "Boss, the Drexford travel request was denied."


    Mansfield saw iting. He rubbed his temples as another message appeared.


    "With tensions abroad, military personnel are under strict travel restrictions. No leaving the country unless absolutely necessary."


    Momentster, Garth Ellington''s name shed on his phone. Instantly, Mansfield straightened up to answer his father''s call.


    "Hey, Dad."


    "What''s going on? Why the sudden request to go to Drexford? Is there something urgent?"


    "Uh, not really. Just... wanted to visit a friend."


    "You only just recovered. Don''t push yourself. Nothing''s more important than your health," Garth said sternly.


    "Understood, Dad," Mansfield replied.


    After a few more words of fatherly concern, the call ended.


    Mansfield had known the answer before he asked, but he''d tried anyway. Still, the rejection stung.


    He pulled out his phone and shot a message to Eleanor: "Saw the weather report -looks like it''s snowing over there."


    "It is," Eleanor replied. "Snow''s reallying down."


    "Could you send me a picture?"


    A few minutester, Eleanor sent a photo of the snowy scene outside her hotel window. Mansfield''s lips curled into a smile. “Beautiful," he texted back.


    Eleanor nced at the clock. Ian still hadn''t brought their daughter back to the hotel, and it was already nine p.m.


    She rubbed her aching neck, then decided to head down to the hotel garden for some fresh air and a view of the snow.


    In the lobby, she could hear the sound of childrenughing, parents chasing after them in the snow. Eleanor pulled on a knit hat and wrapped her coat tighter, then spotted Evelyn in the glow of the garden lights, bundled up and shoveling snow, withn crouched beside her, helping to build a snowman.


    "Mom!" Evelyn''s eyes lit up as she spotted Eleanor. She waved excitedly. "Come y with us!"


    So it wasn''t thatn was refusing to bring their daughter back-the girl simply didn''t want to leave.


    Eleanor walked over, but as she stepped forward, her foot sank deep into the snow and she nearly lost her bnce. A strong hand caught her arm just in time, steadying her. She quickly pulled away fromn''s grasp as soon as she was upright.


    "Mom, do you like the snowman Dad and I made?" Evelyn beamed, pointing at their creation.


    "It''s wonderful," Eleanor said, her voice gentle. "But it''s gettingte. We should head inside."


    Evelyn looked longingly at the snowman. "Alright... bye, Mr. Snowman. See you tomorrow!"


    Eleanor took her daughter''s hand and led her toward the hotel,n following behind. They stepped into the elevator, and just as the doors were about to close, a group of tourists piled in,ughing and chattering, making the space suddenly feel cramped.


    Eleanor quickly lifted Evelyn into her arms to keep her from being jostled. Ian shifted, giving them the corner and stretching out an arm to shield them from the crowd.


    Eleanor tensed, surrounded by people and unable to move. Ian towered over her, his face just inches away. His eyes were intense, almost predatory as he watched


    her.


    She fixed her gaze on the ascending numbers above the door, silently praying for the ride to end.


    After all, they''d been married for six years.


    Ding! The tourists got off at their floor.


    Eleanor let out a shaky breath, setting Evelyn down. She was slightly out of breath-she''d been holding it for so long that she felt lightheaded.


    Eleanor hated how close he was, hated the way his presence still affected her.