Vanessa frowned as she read the message, then typed back, "Alright, pick me up tomorrow."


    After hitting send, she shared her hotel location.


    The next morning, Eleanor and Mansfield had agreed to leave at eight for the Military Medical University. Eleanor threw on a jacket before stepping out of her room, finding Mansfield waiting for her on one of the lobby couches.


    "There you are," Mansfield said, standing up to greet her.


    "Did you have breakfast?" Eleanor asked.


    "Already did. What about you?"


    "I ate, too."


    Chatting casually, they made their way to the car, and soon Mansfield was driving toward the university.


    Once they arrived, Eleanor saw that the patient''s family was already there. She went straight into the attending physician''s office, discussing the case directly with him.


    Mansfield waited by the door, unable to keep his eyes from drifting to Eleanor. She was so young, sitting in front of a panel of senior specialists, yet she radiated a quiet confidence. The experts seemed especially attentive to her opinions.


    After an hour-long discussion, Eleanor checked on the patient, then headed back out to find Mansfield sitting on a bench in the corridor. She smiled gently, "We can go now."


    Just then, an older man approached. "Mansfield, please thank Dr. Sutton for me."


    "Mr. Ackerly, you should go be with your wife. I''ll see Dr. Sutton out," Mansfield replied.


    Eleanor gave Mr. Ackerly a warm smile. "Go take care of your wife. If anythinges up, you can always reach me."


    "Thank you so much," the older man said, his gratitude clear in his eyes.


    Eleanor and Mansfield left the ward and had just reached the main lobby when two people stepped out of the elevator across from them.


    Eleanor nced up, her smile fading instantly.


    She spotted Eleanor and Mansfield as well. ncing atn, Vanessa suddenly swayed and copsed against his chest.


    “Ian, I—I feel a little dizzy," she murmured.


    Just then, as Eleanor stood there distracted, a janitor pushing a trash cart nearly collided into her.


    In a split second, Mansfield wrapped an arm around Eleanor''s waist, pulling her firmly into his embrace. Her face ended up pressed against his shoulder.


    "I''m so sorry, miss-I didn''t see you there," the janitor apologized hastily.


    Eleanor pulled back from Mansfield, but he caught her wrist. "Let me hold on. I''d feel better," he said quietly.


    Then, turning, he called out to the pair across the lobby, "Mr. Goodwin. What a coincidence."


    "Mm."n''s response was t and unreadable.


    Vanessa edged past Mansfield and addressed Eleanor directly. "Eleanor, is this your new boyfriend?"


    "Mansfield," he answered smoothly-not quite confirming, but not denying either.


    Vanessa''s smile faltered for a moment, then she turned ton. "Ian, I really don''t think I can stand..."


    "Alright," Vanessa replied, followingn out of the lobby.


    Mansfield released Eleanor''s hand, apologetic. "Sorry if I was out of line."


    Eleanor shook her head. "No, I should thank you. If you hadn''t grabbed me, that cart might''ve hit my back."


    "Come on, let''s get in the car," Mansfield said. "I''ve reserved a table for lunch. We can eat before I take you back to your hotel."


    "Sounds good." Eleanor''s flight wasn''t until evening-there was still plenty of time.