Evelyn skipped along the sidewalk, her steps light and carefree. As they neared the entrance of Eleanor''s apartment building, she suddenly stopped, her small hands twisting together in a nervous knot.


    She stared at the figure standing beneath the streemp by the doorway. The man''s back was to them, his tall frame outlined by the dim, yellow glow. He was smoking, the ember at the end of his cigarette ring and fading in the darkness, casting a long, solitary shadow. There was something unmistakably somber about him, a heaviness that lingered in the air.


    Evelyn squinted, studying the broad shoulders and familiar stance. Where had she seen that silhouette before?


    Then it clicked-


    "Daddy!" she squealed, letting go of Eleanor''s coat and dashing forward with glee.


    Eleanor, who''d been watching her step, looked up just in time to see her daughter racing toward the man. She recognized him instantly—it wasn.


    "We were at Mr. Vaughn''s house ying with the kittens!" Evelyn beamed. "Daddy, Vivian''s kitten is just the cutest!"


    A faint smile yed atn''s lips. "Is that so? Would you like to have one at home?"


    Evelyn''s face scrunched up in a tiny pout. "But mommy says we already have Princess, so we can''t have a kitten. Next time, I''ll just have to visit Mr. Vaughn to see them."


    Eleanor stopped a few steps away, her expression cool. "It''ste. Was there something you needed?"


    Only then did Eleanor remember that he owned an apartment in this building too. So, he had probablye home as well.


    "Daddy, can youe upstairs with us?" Evelyn asked, looking up at him hopefully.


    "Of course,"n replied, scooping her up and striding toward the lobby.


    Eleanor followed as they made their way to the elevator. At their floor,n set Evelyn down at the door. She bounced up to the keypad to punch in the code.


    Eleanor blinked, surprised. She hadn''t checked her emails yet. She averted her gaze, not wanting to answer.


    Just then, the door clicked open. "Daddy, Mommy,e inside!" Evelyn called eagerly.


    Eleanor stepped in front of the doorway, blocking the entrance. "Evelyn, it''ste. Daddy needs to go home now."


    "Okay!" Evelyn chirped, not protesting as she ran off to y.


    "Let me know in advance next time," she said coolly before shutting the door.


    Outside,n lingered for a moment, then pressed the elevator button. The elevator was already up on the twenty-seventh floor.


    Inside the apartment, Joslyn busied herself with getting Evelyn''s bath ready, while Eleanor sat at her desk, scrolling through a flood of work emails. Sure enough, there it was—an invitation to the Ashford Medical University 60th anniversary g.


    She opened it and stared at the message for a few seconds, her mind drifting. It was her alma mater her father''s too. After a moment''s pause, she replied to RSVP. Of course she would go.


    By nine-thirty, Eleanor was tucking her freshly bathed daughter into bed. In the darkness, Evelyn snuggled close and whispered, "Mommy, how did you and Daddy meet?"


    Eleanor froze, ncing down at the little face nestled against her. “Why do you want to know all of a sudden?"


    Evelyn blinked her big, innocent eyes. It was clear she''d just asked out of simple curiosity.


    "I just want to know!" she said, her voice soft and yful.