Eleanor got home but didn''t pick up her daughter right away. Instead, she took a shower and fell into bed for a much-needed nap.


    She woke up at eight that evening and immediately calledn.


    "Hello?" his voice came through, sounding raspy.


    "I''m home. Bring Evelyn back," she said, straight to the point.


    "Alright,"n replied and hung up.


    Fifteen minutester, the doorbell rang. Joslyn opened it, and Evelyn burst in like a happy little whirlwind.


    "Mommy, Mommy!" she cried, finding Eleanor and throwing her arms around her waist. "I missed you so much!"


    Eleanor smiled, stroking her daughter''s head. "I missed you too, sweetie."


    "Evelyn, go y for a minute. Daddy needs to talk to Mommy," Ian said as he stepped inside.


    Joslyn gently took Evelyn''s hand. "Come on, sweetie."


    Eleanor looked at the man before her, waiting for him to speak.


    "I have to go abroad for a while," he began, his voice low. "It could be a month, maybe three. I might not be back during that time."


    Eleanor turned her head, a flicker of impatience in her eyes. "You don''t need to report your travel ns to me."


    "Evelyn is my daughter. Looking after her is my responsibility, not a favor," Eleanor said, her tone distant. "As for your grandmother, I''ll visit her when I have time."


    "Thank you,"n said. He seemed to want to say more, but seeing the irritation in her eyes, he simply added, "My flight is tonight."


    He looked at her onest time, but she wasn''t looking at him. He turned and walked out the door.


    Eleanor stood rooted to the spot, listening to the soft click of the door closing, before she went to find her daughter.


    In the elevator,n pulled out his phone and dialed Xavier''s number.


    n?"


    "Are you free? I''d like to see you."


    "Where are you?"


    "I''m at the coffee shop next to yourplex. I''ll wait for you there," Ian said.


    "Okay, I''m on my way," Xavier replied.


    The coffee shop was quiet and elegant. When Xavier arrived, he foundn sitting in a secluded corner.


    Xavier sat down across from him, a hint of curiosity on his face. "Ian, what''s so urgent?"


    Xavier was slightly taken aback, then nodded. "Do you need any help?"


    "Everything here is taken care of,"n said, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of his cup. "I called


    you because I need to ask you for a favor de looked up his expression earnest. Please take good cal Eleanor."


    Xavier was stunned, then a small smile touched his lips. "Don''t worry. I would do that even if you didn''t ask."


    Xavier heard the deep concern in his voice, and his expression grewplicated. "Ian, you said you wouldn''t mind if I pursued Eleanor. I hope you meant it."


    "I meant what I said,"n''s voice was low and steady, betraying little emotion. "We''re all adults. Everyone has the right to make their own choices have no right to interfere and I won''t."