Serena nodded, choosing to trust him.


    Serena was exhausted. Gavin was waiting outside to escort her.


    Once she was gone,n called Dr. Smith. "Doctor, I''m moving my mother to theb tomorrow. I want you to restart her stem cell injections to suppress the symptoms."


    "Of course. We have a reserve of stem cells ready. Bring Mrs. Goodwin over whenever you''re ready."


    The next morning.


    Eleanor was leading her daughter out the door when she saw a figure leaning against the wall in the hallway.


    "Daddy!" Evelyn cried out in delight.


    n looked like he hadn''t slept. There were red veins in his eyes and a hint of stubble on his chin. His suit jacket was draped casually over his arm, his tie loosened. The fatigue of a sleepless night was starkly visible in the bright morning light.


    He knelt to greet his daughter. "Daddy''s here to take you to school."


    Evelyn turned to Eleanor. "Mommy, can Daddy take me to school today?"


    Eleanor nodded. As she was about to handn Evelyn''s backpack, he stopped her. "Gavin took my car to run some errands. Would you mind giving me a ride to theb?"


    Eleanor looked at his exhausted state. Even if he had his car, she wouldn''t have trusted him to drive their daughter. She gave a faint nod in agreement.


    A subtle look of relief crossedn''s face. He took Evelyn''s hand and led the way to the elevator.


    On the way to the kindergarten, Evelyn chattered happily withn in the back seat while Eleanor focused on driving.


    As Eleanor pulled into the


    kindergarten parking lot, she saw a familiar car pullin behind her One


    o the license te confirmed t


    Xavier Vaughn.


    Xavier got out of his car just as she did, and their eyes met. "When did you get back?" Eleanor asked, breaking the silence.


    He looked thinner; the recent crisis


    with hispany had clearly taken its toll. Before he could answer, the back door of Eleanor''s car opened. A long, well defined leg emerged, followed byn, holding Evelyn in his arms.  s?novels


    The smile on Xavier''s face froze for an instant, a flicker of disappointment


    crossing his eyes before he quicklyposed himself.


    "Eleanor,n. Good morning," Xavier said, walking over with Vivian.


    "Morning,"n replied with a nod.


    "Mr. Vaughn, you''re back!" Evelyn greeted him politely.


    "That''s right, I am."


    "Vivian, let''s go!" Evelyn took Vivian''s hand, and the two children skipped happily toward the teacher waiting at the entrance.


    The three adults watched until the children were safely inside. Ian then turned to Xavier. "Is everything sorted out?"


    A look of gratitude filled Xavier''s eyes. "Ian, I really owe you for this one."


    "There''s no need for that between us,"n said, pping him on the shoulder.


    helping Xavier weather the stormet


    and the gratitude this eyes was profound. "I won''t forget this."


    "It was nothing. Don''t worry about it,"n said, patting his shoulder again.


    Xavier''s gentle gaze shifted to Eleanor. "Let me treat you both to dinner sometime."


    "We''re heading to theb now,"n said casually. "We''ll have to do it another time."