"I''m not sure. Vanessa just went to take a shower, and when she came out, she suddenly copsed. When I touched her, she was burning up-she kept calling your name "


    "Her mom and dad are both there, but honestly, I think the only person Vanessa wants to see is you. Please, you have toe back!"


    A vein pulsed atn''s temple as his fist clenched unconsciously. His voice was rough. "Tell her I''m catching the next flight home."


    "Really? Please hurry! I''m sure Vanessa got sick because she heard you went skiing with Eleanor."


    "You told her?"n''s tone was icy.


    On the other end, Serena flinched and stammered, "Sh-she asked me, that''s all." She quickly apologized, "I''m sorry,n, I didn''t mean to say anything. I promise I won''t mention you and Eleanor to Vanessa ever again."


    "Mr. Goodwin, you''re heading back?"


    "You and Lanny stay here. I''m going alone,"n said curtly.


    "Is something wrong back home?" Gavin asked carefully.


    "It''s nothing,"n replied tly.


    "Understood. I''ll arrange your flight right away." Gavin knew better than to press.


    In the dead of night, a ck SUV sped away from the ski resort, racing toward the airport.


    The next morning, Gavin came by to collect Eleanor and Evelyn for breakfast.


    "Mr. Young, where''s my dad?" Evelyn asked, her small face tilted up.


    "Your dad had to fly homest night for something important," Gavin answered gently. "I''ll be hanging out with you both today."


    Eleanor frowned. Ian went home? When she nced at Gavin, he looked visibly nervous, as if dreading her questions.


    In that moment, Eleanor realized whyn had rushed back-Vanessa had called him away. If it were just business, Gavin wouldn''t be so anxious.


    Eleanor let the matter drop and said nothing more.


    Later, in the restaurant, Xavier arrived with Vivian. When he heard from Gavin thatn had left in the middle of the night, he looked surprised. "Was there some kind of emergency at thepany?"


    "Mr. Goodwin didn''t say," Gavin replied with a polite smile.


    Xavier narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, ncing at Eleanor, trying to gauge her reaction.


    Eleanor appeared not to hear any of it, pouring milk for the two children as if nothing had happened.


    Her phone buzzed just then. She picked it up and saw a text from Serena:


    "Eleanor, you''re divorced now. Don''t cling to my brother anymore. Don''t make me lose respect for you."


    Before Eleanor could react, another message appeared:


    "My brother''s going to be with Vanessa now. You''d better not interfere."


    Eleanor''s eyes turned cold as she set her phone aside.


    The only person who could maken drop everything in the middle of the night


    and fly home-besides his family-had always been Vanessa.