The words tore from her, sharp and bitter. She was furious. How dare this man y God while leaving herpletely in the dark? Her chest heaved, and her eyes burned with unshed tears. She gripped the phone so tightly it felt like a weapon; ifn were standing in front of her, she would have plunged it into his heart.


    "I''m sorry. I was wrong," he said immediately, his voice filled with sincere apology. "It was wrong of me to hide my mother''s condition. I thought I could control it, that I could spare you all the worry. I know I was a bastard, and I hurt you. I know no amount of apologies can-"


    "Don''t give me that!" Eleanor cut him off, her voice sharp with frustration. "Is Dr. Smith''s teaming back with you?"


    "Yes. A few years ago, I received approval to build a privateboratory. They''ll continue their research there, and the facility will be fully operational. Eleanor, I need your help."


    She wanted to scream at him, to list every one of his transgressions, but she knew that yelling, hitting, or even killing him would solve nothing.


    "Fine," she said, running a hand through her hair. "I''ll wait for Dr. Smith to arrive." Suddenly, she felt dizzy and reached for the desk to steady herself, but instead sent a stack of files scattering to the floor, along with her coffee cup, which shattered on impact.


    The crash echoed over the phone line. "Eleanor, what happened? Are you okay?"n asked, his voice sharp with rm.


    Eleanor stared at the mess on the floor, her chest still rising and falling with


    ragged breaths. She med him for all of it. "I hate you,n," she said, her voice cold as ice.


    "I know," he replied, epting her anger without defense. "Are you hurt? Did you stay up all night?"


    "I don''t need your concern," she snapped.


    "I''m sorry."


    Again, no arguments, only apologies. His passive eptance was infuriating, like punching a pillow. Her anger had nowhere tond.. Finally, she took a deep breath, her


    forcing down the store


    personal feelings. This wasnt the time to settle old scores. Her daughter''s future was at stake, and she needed solutions.


    As forn building ab without her knowledge-it was just another secret. But she would ept his proposal. She would work with Smith, because her daughters


    health came first.


    A knock came at the door. "Ma''am?" It was Joslyn. "Did a cup break? Do you need me toe in and clean up?"


    Eleanorposed herself and opened the door. "There''s coffee on the floor. Could you please take care of it?" she asked, turning to pick up the scattered files.


    Evelyn peeked into the room. "Mommy, can I help?"


    The sight of her daughter''s innocent smile was a balm to her frayed nerves. All


    her anger and fear melted away. "Of course, sweetie. Come on in."


    As she and Evelyn tidied the room together, Eleanor''s resolve


    hardened. As soon as Smith''s team arrived, her daughter would undergo the mostprehensive gic screening possible.