Eleanor didn''t answer him. Just then, another message popped up on her phone. Whatever it said, it made herugh out loud. She picked up her phone and sent a quick voice message, her tone gentle and warm. "Alright, off to bed with you! Goodnight."


    That soft, affectionate note in her voice maden''s eyes darken ever so slightly.


    Setting her phone aside, Eleanor went to the door and turned ton. "You should go. I need to get some rest."


    After all, he had spent the whole evening looking after their daughter, so she was being as civil as she could manage.


    "Get some sleep,"n said as he brushed past her.


    Eleanor shut the door behind him and headed for the shower. The messages


    were from Joy Thatcher, her closest friend, just somete-night girl talk.


    The next morning, as usual, Eleanor dropped her daughter off outsiden''s room before heading to her meetings.


    The conference would run for three days, with two more days of academic discussions afterward.


    Eleanor didn''t get back until almost ten that night. As always,n carried their sleeping daughter into Eleanor''s bedroom.


    Asn stepped out and pulled the door closed, Eleanor''s phone began to ring. She nced at the screen, surprised to see Xavier''s name lit up. Thiste? What could he want? Was something wrong?


    She picked up the phone and stepped over to the window. "Hello, Xavier? Is everything alright?"


    "Ms. Sutton, it''s me! Vivian," came a little girl''s hushed voice on the other end.


    "Vivian, sweetheart. Are you looking for Evelyn? She''s already asleep."


    "Ms. Sutton, Uncle Xavier and I areing to Drexford tomorrow. When we get there, can I y with Evelyn?"


    Eleanor blinked in surprise. Xavier was bringing Vivian here?


    "Tomorrow, Uncle and I are going to visit my mom... in prison." Vivian''s voice cracked, tears threatening to spill. "I miss her so much—"


    Eleanor''s heart clenched. She softened her voice. "Vivian, sweetheart, you''ll see your mom tomorrow. And when you get here, I''ll take you and Evelyn out for a treat, alright? Would you like that?"


    "Really? That would be amazing!" Vivian''s tone brightened in a sh. "Okay, promise!"


    In the background, she heard Xavier''s voice: "Vivian, who are you talking to?" "Goodbye, Ms. Sutton!" Vivian blurted, then quickly hung up.


    Eleanor stood there for a moment, realizing Vivian must have snuck the call, hoping to talk to her daughter. She sighed. Poor kid. From what she''d heard, Vivian''s mother had been sentenced to life. Visiting days would be all they could hope for.


    She was still lost in thought when she spun around and nearly collided with a wall of muscle.


    "Xavier''sing here?" His voice was cool, as if, in his mind, Eleanor had personally invited Xavier.


    She stepped back, her tone frosty. "Eavesdropping on someone''s call is extremely rude, you know."


    "Don''t you think you should discuss it with me before inviting people over?"n narrowed his eyes, his displeasure obvious.


    He purposely referred to Xavier as "people"-making it clear how he felt.


    Eleanor bristled. Xavier was onlying so Vivian could visit her mother in prison, and they were stopping in Drexford for a little break. That was all.


    "I think you''re mistaken." She lifted her chin, her gaze icy. "I don''t need your permission to invite anyone to Drexford."


    Eleanor''s breath caught. Did he really mean that? Was he about to pick a fight with Xavier?