Eleanor nced up at him. "If it''s about work, go ahead. If it''s personal, I''m busy."


    Her words stopped him cold. He stared at the woman sitting at the desk, who hadn''t even bothered to look at him properly. It was clear she had no interest in anything he had to say.


    "Ten years ago," he began anyway, "I signed an agreement with her. I provided her with resources and funding, and in return, she would serve as a designated donor for my family-"


    Eleanor''s typing stopped. "Right now," she cut him off, "I only care about the experimental data and the safety of the new reagent. If you don''t have work to discuss, please don''t waste my time." She turned her focus back to the screen and added, "A failed marriage is nothingpared to my future. My work is what matters."


    The second the door clicked shut, he stumbled, bracing himself against the wall. His tall frame bent slightly as he reached up and clutched at his chest, his breathing suddenly ragged.


    Just then, a nurse carrying a file folder rounded the corner. She gasped when she sawn leaning against the wall, his face etched with pain. "Mr. Goodwin!" she eximed, rushing over. "Are you all right? Should I call a doctor?"


    At the sound of her voice,n straightened up instantly. Any trace of vulnerability vanished, his expression returning to its usual deep calm.


    "I''m fine," he said, his voice low and steady, as if he were a different person entirely.


    The nurse stared, confused. Had she imagined it? She nced again at his retreating back-strong,posed, and impossibly charismatic, just as always.


    Just then, Eleanor opened her door and saw the nurse staring down the hall. "Can I help you?" she asked.


    The nurse snapped back to reality and smiled. "Oh, no. I was just passing by."


    Eleanor had just received a call from Dr. Smith. The fresh blood samples from Vanessa needed to be run through several more in-vitro tests to ensure their stability.


    Serena woke up around eleven. As she opened her eyes, the only difort she felt was the soreness from lying in one position for so long.


    n!" she said, surprised to see her brother sitting by her bed.


    "How are you feeling? Anything wrong?" he asked quietly.


    Serena did a quick mental check and shook her head. "I feel fine. Just a little stiff from sleeping so much." After all, they had given her sedative to help her through the night. "How''s Mom?"


    "No change."


    Serena''s expression fell. She wished


    ve


    the experiment would hurry up so they could find a cure for their mother


    Back at her apartment, Laverne was watching a variety show when Vanessa walked in. She was so shocked she nearly dropped the remote Vanessa''s face was as white as a sheet, as if she''d beenpletely drained of blood.


    "Vanessa, what happened? You look terrible!" Laverne cried, rushing to help her to the sofa.


    "Make me some restorative broth, now," Vanessa ordered as she copsed onto the cushions.


    "Okay, I''ll have someone start right away," Laverne said, immediately calling for help.


    Vanessa then picked up her phone and dialed Henry''s number.


    "Hello? Vanessa," Henry answered, his voice as warm and enthusiastic as ever.


    "Henry, I need to see you," Vanessa said, her voiceced with a sorrowful, choked-up quality.


    "What''s wrong? Did something happen? Where are you?"


    "I''m at home. Can you... can youe keep mepany?" she pleaded softly.