Eleanor called Joslyn and asked her to prepare a couple of extra dishes for dinner tonight. She and Joel would be heading home together from theb to Cloudcrest


    Manor.


    It had been ages since Joel had enjoyed a proper home-cooked meal. He appreciated Eleanor''s thoughtfulness, and to show his gratitude, he picked out a small gift for Evelyn on the way.


    After picking Evelyn up and heading home, Eleanor found Joel already waiting for them. Evelyn hadn''t seen Joel in a while, but she greeted him with the same warmth as always. She knew Mr. Kingsley was her mother''s closest colleague at work.


    She''d watched Joel and her mother work together in theb before, and she admired him deeply.


    Eleanor brought over a bowl of fresh fruit and poured a pot of tea. As she set the table, an idea struck her. "My father left behind a notebook," she said to Joel. "T’II go upstairs and get it for you."


    "Thank you." Joel nodded.


    As Eleanor headed upstairs, their golden retriever, Princess, suddenly perked up, tail wagging enthusiastically as she trotted to the front door, letting out a series of excited little whines.


    Evelyn hopped down from the sofa. "That''s probably my dad."


    She moved to open the door, with Joel following behind, unsure if it was reallyn. Evelyn swung the door open. Sure enough,n stood outside, holding a bag of fruit and a neatly wrapped gift-clearly a New Year''s present for his daughter. But asn caught sight of Joel behind Evelyn, his deep-set eyes paused on him for a moment, expression unreadable.


    "Mr. Goodwin," Joel greeted first, polite but reserved.


    Joel realized Eleanor might have invited him as well. He stepped aside slightly. "She''s here. Are you joining us for dinner, Mr. Goodwin?"


    Evelyn looked up at her father in surprise. So Dad wasing for dinner too?


    "No,"n replied coolly, setting the fruit and gift on the entryway table. "I just dropped by to give Evelyn her New Year''s gift."


    Joel couldn''t help noticing the trace of jealousy inn''s demeanor. Clearly, this wasn''t the best time for him to be here.


    "If you need to speak with Eleanor, I cane back another day," Joel offered, sensing the tension.


    Just then, Eleanor reappeared on the stairs, an old notebook in her arms. She''d heardn''s voice when she wasing down, and now, catching Joel about to leave because ofn, she stepped in.


    "Joel, go have some tea," Eleanor said briskly. Then she turned to her daughter: "Evelyn, why don''t you take Mr. Kingsley to have some fruit?"


    Evelyn replied with a quick "okay," but instead of moving, she went back to her toys on the sofa, her wide eyes still fixed on the doorway.


    Eleanor facedn squarely, her gaze cold. "What is it?"


    "What does it matter to me who you meet with?" Eleanor cut him off, looking away.


    She recoiled, distaste etched on her face, and lowered her voice. "Ian, I have guests tonight. If you don''t want me to embarrass you, I suggest you leave."


    "I''ve always kept up appearances for Evelyn''s sake-made sure she sees you as a good father. Push me any further, and I won''t hold back." Eleanor''s voice was barely above a whisper, but every word was sharp as ss. She looked him dead in the eye, her expression openly hostile and utterly resolute.