That evening, Eleanor picked up her daughter and took her to dinner at the


    Vesper Joy Hotel. The restaurant was bustling with families; several parents sat with their children, chatting andughing over their meals. Evelyn took it all in with wide eyes. When Eleanor stepped aside to answer a phone call, Evelyn seized the moment. She slipped her smartwatch off her wrist and dialed her father''s number.


    “Hello? Evelyn?"n''s voice came through, warm and familiar.


    "Daddy, can youe have dinner with me and Mom?" Evelyn asked in a soft whisper, ncing around as if she were sharing a secret.


    "Where are you?"


    "We''re eating at Mom''s hotel restaurant."


    "All right, I''ll be there soon,"n replied with a low chuckle.


    Eleanor returned to the table just as Evelyn shot her a mischievous grin. "You''re back, Mom!"


    Eleanor eyed her daughter''s impish expression. "What''s going on?"


    "Nothing!" Evelyn pressed her lips together, feigning innocence.


    The restaurant was especially busy tonight, and Eleanor and Evelyn waited for their food as minutes passed. Suddenly, after about fifteen minutes, Evelyn slid off her chair, her face lighting up as she darted toward the entrance.


    "Evelyn!" Eleanor called, startled by her daughter''s sudden burst of energy. That''s when she sawn standing in the doorway, tall and unmistakable.


    In that instant, everything clicked-Eleanor realized what her daughter''s sly smile had meant earlier, and why she''d insisted on wearing her smartwatch before they left the house. She''d nned this all along.


    Eleanor''s chest tightened, her annoyance in in her eyes.


    "Mom, Daddy hasn''t eaten yet. Can we invite him to eat with us?" Evelyn asked, tuggingn over to the table, her head tilted in hopeful expectation.


    Eleanor looked down at her daughter''s pleading face and gave a reluctant nod. The restaurant was crowded; she couldn''t bear to embarrass Evelyn in front of so many people.


    "Daddy, Mr. Vaughn gave me the same present too!" Evelyn announced, beaming.n raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Really? Exactly the same?"


    “Uh-huh! Just the same." Evelyn nodded enthusiastically.


    A thought struckn. He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, sliding it across the table to Eleanor. "This is for you."


    Yesterday had been Christmas Eve-today was Christmas Day itself.


    Eleanor nced at the box, her tone cool. "I don''t need it, thank you."


    Evelyn, ever curious, snatched up the box and popped it open. "Wow-a brooch!"


    She held it up for her mother to see. "Look, Mom, it''s really sparkly!"


    Eleanor gave it a cursory nce, if only for her daughter''s sake.


    "Evelyn, give the gift back to Daddy." Eleanor''s voice was gentle but firm. "Mom doesn''t need it."


    Evelyn''s face fell. "But Mom-"


    "Sweetheart, it''s all right." Eleanor closed the velvet box and pushed it back towardn. “Thank you for the thought, but you should keep it."


    "It''s not about liking it or not," Eleanor replied, meeting his gaze with an icy glint in her eyes. "It''s just not necessary."


    Evelyn blinked, sensing her mother''s resolve. She nudged the gift back ton. "Daddy, Mom doesn''t want your present. You should take it back."


    He slipped the velvet box back into his pocket just as their steaks arrived. Evelyn tugged on his sleeve. "Daddy, will you cut my steak for me? I want you to feed me."


    Eleanor focused on her own te, carefully slicing her steak. Outside the window, the Christmas tree glittered with twinkling lights, the festive spirit filling every corner of the room.


    In the far corner, three girls sat together, ncing over at Eleanor''s table every so often. One of them discreetly snapped a photo on her phone and sent it off to a friend.


    That friend was Serena-their mutual acquaintance.


    Running into her brother and his ex-wife spending Christmas together with their daughter in a fancy restaurant? Now, that was something worth sharing.