While Serena envied Vanessa''s luxurious vacation, a thought struck her: who filmed this? The look on Vanessa''s face seemed almost... post-coital.


    Could her brother have filmed it? The camera was a bit shaky, suggesting someone was filming from behind her, and Vanessa''s smile was as sweet as honey, her eyes filled with happiness as she gazed at the person behind the lens. Serena nced over at Eleanor at the dining table. It was clear now that there was no chance of her andn getting back together. Her brother waspletely devoted to Vanessa. She remembered the dayn left the country; Vanessa had been emotional in the hospital room, but aftern spoke with her privately for a few minutes, she had calmed down and left with him. He had obviously charmed her. You only put that much effort into cating someone you truly loved.


    Serena tapped on the nearly one thousandments. Sure enough, many fans had the same idea, calling it an "afterglow" shot. Someone with a keen eye even pointed out a hickey on Vanessa''s neck.


    Serena zoomed in. There it was, a distinct mark on Vanessa''s slightly tilted neck.


    "Auntie, what are you looking at?" Evelyn suddenly climbed onto the couch beside her, trying to see the screen.


    Serena quickly turned off her phone. "Nothing, sweetie. Just scrolling," she said with a smile.


    "y with me, Auntie," Evelyn insisted, tugging on her arm.


    "Okay," Serena said, mustering some energy. "I''ll y with you for a bit."


    "I want to y Ludo!" Evelyn announced, running to a cab to get the board game.


    Serena agreed, and the two began to y on the couch. Eleanor nced over with a slight frown, but whatever her feelings about Serena, she couldn''t change the fact that she was her daughter''s aunt.


    "Ellie, eat some more," Magdalen urged.


    Eleanor didn''t have much of an


    appetite either, but not wanting to


    je


    waste the food, she ate a little more. The sound of her daughter''s happyughter filled the living room, punctuated by Serena''s asional praise.


    "Having Evelyn in the house really brightens the ce up," Magdalen remarked with a contented sigh.


    "Magdalen," Eleanor said, looking up, "why don''t you let me treat you to New Year''s Eve dinner at a restaurant? It might be more festive."


    Magdalen''s eyes lit up. "That''s a wonderful idea. Withn and his mother away, I haven''t had much of an appetite Achange of scenery would be nice." Then she added, "I''ll bring Serena along, if you don''t mind."


    Eleanor nodded. "It''s just a meal. I don''t mind at all."


    "Yay! I won!" Evelyn cheered from the couch.


    "My little niece is so smart," Serena praised.


    As Eleanor got up to join them, Serena immediately packed away the game


    board. "Next time, sweetie. Your aunt is a little tired."


    Eleanor had no desire to linger either. "Evelyn, it''s time to go."


    "Okay," Evelyn said with a nod.


    Though reluctant to see them leave, Magdalen didn''t want to impose and confirmed their ns for New Year''s Eve. Serena, on the other hand, was relieved. Having Eleanor around made her ufortable.


    As Eleanor led her daughter to the door, she nced back at Serena, who simply turned and headed upstairs without a word. In the end, Eleanor said nothing and walked out with her daughter.