Henry Holt had just returned from an ind research project overseas. The moment hended, he rushed to see her, a bouquet of red roses cradled in his arms. He set the flowers down gently on the bedside table.


    "How are you feeling? Any better?" Henry sat down beside her bed, his concern unmistakable in his eyes.


    "Henry, thank you foring to see me. I really am feeling much better." Vanessa said, then quickly brought her hand up to cover her face. "Don''t look at me—I must look awful right now."


    Henry couldn''t help but chuckle. "Nonsense. You''ll always be the most beautiful woman in the world to me."


    Only then did Vanessa slowly lower her hand, her voice tinged with bitterness. "I was terrified this time, honestly. For a moment, I thought I might not pull through."


    "Don''t say that." Henry frowned. "I spoke to your doctor just now-he said all your vitals are stable."


    Vanessa let out a soft sigh. "Let''s hope this is thest time I have to see the inside of a hospital."


    Henry had learned from her assistant thatn had flown back overnight just to be by her side. That pang of guilt twisted inside him; he''d only heard the news yesterday.


    "Hasn beening to see youtely?" Henry asked quietly.


    Vanessa nodded. "He has, but he''s so busy these days. I keep telling him not to worry abouting to the hospital." She managed a smile. "Henry, really, thank you foring back to see me. It means a lot."


    Henry looked at the woman he''d adored in silence for years, a familiar ache settling over him. Even at her most vulnerable, it wasn''t him she longed to see most.


    He stayed with Vanessa untilte afternoon, only leaving when Serena arrived.


    "Serena, you''re here." Henry stood to greet her.


    Serena''s tone was friendly. "Hey, Henry. d you made it."


    "I''ll leave Vanessa in your care. I''ve got dinner ns with Xavier tonight, so I should get going."


    A spark lit in Serena''s eyes. "You''re meeting Xavier? Is my brothering too?" "Afraid not just me and Xavier," Henry replied.


    Serena''s eyes betrayed a flicker of disappointment, which Vanessa caught. She nced at Henry. "Henry, why don''t you take Serena with you to dinner? I''ll be fine-my assistant is here."


    Serena shot Vanessa a grateful look; she hadn''t had a chance to see Xavier in ages.


    Henry considered for a moment, then nodded. "Of course. Serena,e on." "Thanks, Vanessa. I''lle back to see youter.” Serena grabbed her bag and followed Henry out of the hospital room.


    At the restaurant, Xavier had already arrived. Under the warm lights, he looked every inch the refined gentleman in his deep blue suit-calm,posed, and effortlessly elegant.


    He nced up at the sound of footsteps. When he saw Serena with Henry, his expression briefly tightened.


    "Xavier, we ran into Serena on the way. Hope you don''t mind if she joins us for dinner?” Henry said with a smile.


    Serena, after all, was a Goodwinn''s own sister-so there was no polite way for Xavier to refuse. He nodded. "Of course, the more the merrier."


    Serena took the seat beside him, cheeks tinged pink. "Xavier, it''s been a while."


    Xavier gave her a polite, distant smile. "It has. Good to see you."


    Serena''s face flushed a deeper shade, but she stayed at his side.


    "So, Xavier, where have you beentely?" Henry asked, trying to keep the conversation light.


    "Took Vivian on a trip abroad."


    "Oh really? Where to?"


    "We spent a few days in Fairhaven, then headed to Drexford for some skiing."


    Serena''s fingers twisted nervously in her napkin. So he''d gone to Fairhaven first, then Drexford-was it because of Eleanor?


    "Just you and Vivian?" Henry continued, oblivious to the tension.


    Xavier took a sip of water. "No, Eleanor and Evelyn joined us in Drexford. We went skiing together."


    Henry paused, caught off guard, and nced quickly at Serena before changing the subject. "By the way, my ind research project is about to be signed off. Next time, I''ll have to invite you both to visit."


    Serena bit her lip and spoke up, "Xavier, if you go skiing again, could you invite me? You know how much I love it."


    Henry almost choked; he''d tried to steer the conversation away, but Serena had brought it right back.


    Xavier''s tone was neutral. "I''m swamped at work these days. Doubt I''ll have time to hit the slopes again soon."


    "There are great ski resorts around here you wouldn''t even have to travel-" Serena tried, unwilling to let it drop.


    Xavier looked straight at her, cutting her off. "I don''t actually like skiing."


    The rejection was unvarnished, direct.


    Serena''s face went scarlet. She gripped her cup, at a loss for words.


    Henry quickly stepped in, trying to save her from further embarrassment. “Serena, don''t you love Fashion Week? Next time, maybe you and Vanessa could go together."


    Serena forced a smile. “Yeah, that sounds good. I''ll ask Vanessa toe along." Just then, Xavier''s phone buzzed. He nced at the screen, grabbed his jacket, and stood up. "Henry, something''se up. Let''s catch up another time."


    Serena felt her cheeks burning. Was Xavier really so unwilling to even look at her now?