The almost fanatical sincerity in his eyes caught Eleanor off guard for a second, but then the irony of it all came crashing back.


    "Are you done? If you are, then move," she said, and this time, instead of just using his name, she pushed him aside. For a man of his stature, he moved surprisingly easily, not because of her strength, but because he yielded to her touch, stepping aside to let her pass.


    "Sorry for taking up your time,"n said, his voice low and hoarse.


    Eleanor barely gave him a second nce as she walked toward theb, swiped her card, and disappeared behind the heavy, soundproof door as it slowly closed between them.


    Stepping back into the elevator, he pinched the bridge of his nose, a flicker of sharp, hidden pain still visible in his eyes.


    That afternoon, Eleanor took a break to pick up her daughter from school herself.


    At the school, she ran into Mrs. Vaughn. As the two children yed on the nearby slide, Mrs. Vaughn made friendly conversation. "Eleanor, how has work been? Still busy?"


    Eleanor smiled and nodded. "Yes, very busy."


    Mrs. Vaughn studied her. Even as a mother, Eleanor looked young and vibrant, with a presence that was immediatelyforting.


    "You shoulde over to our house sometime. The girls get along so well, it would be nice for them to y more," Mrs. Vaughn invited, the underlying meaning of her words clear.


    "I''d love that," Eleanor replied with a polite smile. "When things at work slow down, I''ll be sure to stop by."


    Mrs. Vaughn knew it was a nomittal answer. She hoped her son would pursue Eleanor, but he had been so swamped with worktely that he was hardly


    ever seen.


    Just then, Eleanor''s phone rang. She nced at the screen and excused herself. "Sorry, I have to take this."


    She walked a short distance away to answer. "Hello? Who is this?"


    "Ellie, it''s me. Could you bring Evelyn over for dinner tonight?" It was Magdalen''s voice.


    Eleanor''s expression softened instantly. "Grandma Magdalen, of course. We''ll be over shortly."


    "Wonderful! I''ll be waiting for you."


    "We''re just at the school, so we''ll be


    there soon," Eleanor said. It had


    been a while since she''d seen the old woman, and with Gina and Serena at the


    ich she knew Magdalen must be lonely. Spending an evening with her was the least she could do.


    After hanging up, she walked over to her daughter, who was having a great time. "Evelyn, Great-Grandma misses us. How about we go to her house for dinner tonight?"


    "Okay!" Evelyn chirped happily.


    Eleanor took her daughter''s hand, said goodbye to Mrs. Vaughn, and got into her car. A short five-minute drive brought them to the gates of the Goodwin estate, with a private lottabeled ''Goodwin Manor outside.


    A maid opened the door, and Eleanor led her daughter into the living room.


    Magdalen was already waiting at the entrance, her face breaking into a wide smile the moment she saw them.


    "My little Evelyn is here! Come to Great-Grandma."


    "Great-Grandma!" Evelyn cried, running into the old woman''s arms.


    "Oh, my sweet girl, my little treasure," the old woman cooed, hugging her tightly.


    Eleanor followed them in, carrying a basket of fruit. "Grandma, how have you been feeling?"


    "You''re justing for dinner, you shouldn''t have brought anything! Come ine in," she chided gently, though her face beamed with happiness at Eleanor''s arrival.