At 5:30, Eleanor arrived at the school to pick up her daughter and happened to run into Xavier.


    "Didn tell you he was going abroad?" Xavier asked her.


    Eleanor nodded, confirming that she knew.


    "Do you know why he''ll be gone for so long?" he pressed.


    Eleanor thought for a moment, then shook her head. "We''re divorced. His personal life is none of my business."


    Xavier realized he had asked the wrong person.


    Just then, the school gates opened, and parents streamed in to collect their children. Eleanor emerged holding Evelyn''s hand and waved goodbye to Xavier and Vivian.


    Xavier wanted to invite Eleanor over for dinner, but he figured she was probably tired after her trip to Kingston, so he held back.


    Later that evening, Xavier got a call from Henry, asking him toe out for a drink. He was already at a bar, waiting.


    Worried Henry would get himself into trouble, Xavier drove over.


    He found Henry in a private booth on the second floor, a small, soundproofed space that shut out the bar''s loud music and chaos.


    "Drinking again?" Xavier asked, sitting across from him. He frowned at Henry''s disheveled appearance-bloodshot eyes, messy hair, and several days'' worth of stubble.


    It looked like Henry hadn''t taken care of himself in days. Xavier knew why. "Henry, pull yourself together," Xavier said, his voice sharp with frustration.


    Henry looked up, his eyes hazy with alcohol, and let out a bitter, self-mockingugh. "Pull myself together? How? By watching her run off withn on a romantic trip around the world without so much as a goodbye? I don''t even have the right to fight for her!"


    He took a long swig of his drink, the pain in his heart palpable.


    When drunk, a person''s inhibitions crumble, and their true feelingse pouring out.


    "What am I to her? I know I can''tpare ton. He''s brilliant, powerful In Vanessa''s eyes, I''m probably just some pathetic idiot who won''t leave her alone." Henry slumped back against the sofa, his empty gaze fixed on the shing lights on the ceiling. nn is better than me in every way. Family, ability, looks... I''ve lost on all fronts."


    Xavier couldn''t stand to see him so dejected. He stood up, snatched the ss from Henry''s hand, and mmed it on the table, that''s enough Look at yourself. Is it worth destroying yourself over a woman who doesn''t care about you?" Cóntent


    "No, it''s


    covert Henry sneered, then


    eyes with his arm, his


    voice cracking But Leant fuckm help it. Xavier, it hurts... right here."


    He pointed to his chest.


    "Think about your father. He''s about to retire, and you''re supposed to take over. What would he think if he saw you like this?"


    Henry lowered his arm, his red-rimmed eyes filled with desperation. "Are they really together? They''re not going to get married abroad, are they?"


    Xavier froze. It was clear Henry hadn''t heard a word he''d said.


    He sat down beside him, silent for a moment. n is going to be abroad for a few months."


    Deep down, Xavier felt thatn''s sudden trip was strange, but he couldn''t pinpoint why.


    Henry looked as if thest ounce of his strength had been drained. He copsed onto the sofa, muttering, "If that''s true... I''ll wish them well."


    Then he pointed a shaky finger at Xavier. "Ifn gets married, you should be happy. Eleanor will be all yours. Go for it..."


    "Shut up," Xavier snapped, turning on him. "You''re drunk."


    Henry flinched at his harsh tone. "I was just... just kidding. Look at you, so


    protective of Eleanor... you even followed her to Kingston."


    "Eleanor isn''t an object to be passed around," Xavier said sternly. "Don''t ever say something like that again."