"Yes," Eleanor replied politely before walking over to them.


    "Their family is so good-looking," another mother whispered behind her.


    The first mother leaned in. "They''re not a family anymore. They divorced two years ago, you know."


    "What a shame. They seemed so perfect for each other."


    Due ton and Eleanor''s high profiles, they attracted a lot of attention. Eleanor apanied her daughter into the ssroom and saw Vivian, who had been brought not by Xavier, but by Mrs. Vaughn.


    "Oh, Eleanor, you''re here! Evelyn is getting more beautiful by the day," Mrs. Vaughnplimented, then noticedn walk in. "Ian, you came too."


    "Mrs. Vaughn," Ian greeted politely. "Hasn''t Xavier returned yet?"


    A shadow of worry crossed Mrs. Vaughn''s face, but she forced a smile. "No, some urgent business came up with the overseaspany. He won''t be able to get away for a while."


    A glimmer of hope appeared in Mrs. Vaughn''s eyes. She looked at her son''s childhood friend with gratitude. "Just hearing you say that is enough."


    Eleanor, who had been watching her daughter, overheard their conversation. A thought crossed her mind: was Xavier''spany in some kind of trouble?


    "That''s wonderful, sweetie," Eleanor praised.


    At eleven-thirty,n led Evelyn out. "I''ve booked a restaurant," he said to Eleanor. "Let''s have lunch together."


    "Please, Mommy, let''s go together!


    she


    It''s the first day of school, and I want both Mommy and Daddy with me Evelyn pleaded. At six years old, was beginning to have a mind of her own, and her requests were often more like demands.


    Feeling helpless, Eleanor nodded. "Alright, let''s go."


    A twenty-minute drive brought them to an elegant Western restaurant, wheren had chosen a table by the window. Evelyn, acting like a little grown-up, ordered several of her favorite dishes.


    As the food arrived,n carefully cut his daughter''s steak, while Eleanor ate her own meal in silence. Evelyn ate happily, her eyes sparkling as she looked between her parents. "Mommy, you haven''t taken any pictures of me today!"


    "I''ll take some for you now, sweetie," Eleanor said, realizing she had forgotten to document her


    daughter''s first day. She took out her phone and snapped a few photos. Evelyn then hopped off her chair, climbed onto tan''sp, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Mommy, I want a picture with Daddy!" she said, shing a bright, toothy grin.


    Eleanor had no choice but to oblige, taking several pictures until Evelyn was satisfied and returned to her seat. Just then,


    her ice crea


    arrived she excitedly took


    spoonful and offered it to Eleanor. "Mommy, you try first. It''s so sweet!"


    Eleanor hesitated for a second but didn''t refuse her daughter. After she took a


    bite, Evelyn scooped up another spoonful and held it out ton. "Daddy, you have a bite too."


    "Evelyn, just eat it yourself," Eleanor gently chided.


    Butn had already leaned forward and epted the ice cream from his daughter.


    Evelyn''s eyes curved into happy crescents as she finally dug out the biggest spoonful for herself.


    Just then,n''s phone buzzed with a message.


    "I''m going to theb this afternoon. Can youe with me? I''m scared." It was from Vanessa.