"That''s not what I meant—" Eleanor tried to exin.


    "It''s just white hair. It doesn''t mean my body is failing,"n said, his tone clearly offended. "It''s not just soldiers who are in good shape. I''m fine, too."


    Eleanor held the phone, stunned. Wasn''t he overreacting a little?


    "I''m just worried about you. You''re Evelyn''s father, and your health is important for her future."


    "Fine," the man on the other end said, his voice softening slightly. "I''ll schedule a check-up."


    After hanging up, Eleanor furrowed her brow before getting up and heading back to theb.


    At three in the afternoon, Eleanor managed to find time to visit Mansfield. When she arrived, Mrs. Ellington was also there. She smiled at Eleanor. "Eleanor, you''re here. Mansfield mentioned you were very busy with work."


    "Good afternoon, Mrs. Ellington. I just finished up," Eleanor replied with a smile.


    "Please, don''t call me Mrs. Ellington, it''s too formal. You should call me Auntie, just like Mansfield does," Mrs. Ellington said with a meaningful smile.


    Eleanor was taken aback, then her face warmed slightly as she nodded. "Alright, Auntie Ellington."


    Just then, a beautiful young woman walked over quickly. "Mom."


    Eleanor looked up and saw the young woman studying her. "You must be my future cousin-inw. Hi, I''m Lily Ellington."


    Eleanor immediately guessed this was Mayor Ellington''s daughter. She extended a hand. "Hello, I''m Eleanor."


    "I''ve heard all about you, but I didn''t expect you to be so young and beautiful in person," Lily said, her eyes filled with admiration.


    "My daughter just got back from out of town, so you two haven''t met. You can see each other more often in the future," Mrs. Ellington said, looking at her daughter with pride.


    "I''ve been teaching up north recently, so I''m not back very often," Lily exined. "But I''m on break now, so I can stay for a few days."


    "We''re just standing here talking. Go on, let Eleanor see Mansfield," Mrs. Ellington said, taking her daughter''s arm. "You cane home with me for now. Don''t disturb your cousin."


    "Okay," Lily said, waving to Eleanor as she left.


    Eleanor knocked on Mansfield''s door before entering. He had clearly heard her voice and was looking at her with a smile. "What were you all talking about out there?"


    "I met your cousin," Eleanor said with a smile.


    "I rarely see that girl myself,"


    Mansfield said. He was shirtless the nket covering him up to his waist. The evening light fell across his upper body, highlighting his strong, muscr build.


    Eleanor examined the wound where the dressing had been changed. "What did the doctor say? Is it healing well?"


    "It''s healing nicely. I should be able to take you on a date next week," Mansfield joked with a smile.


    Eleanor couldn''t help but smile back. "Maybe you should wait until your wound is fully healed before making jokes."


    Mansfield''s gaze turned more


    serious


    was just thinking about


    what I want to do with you the first


    day I''m out of the hospital. What do


    normal couples do on dates?"


    Eleanor watched him seriously contemting the question, looking as earnest as a young boy.


    "They go to the movies, have dinner, go shopping, drink coffee... all sorts of things," Eleanor said. Then, an old memory surfaced her first date withn.


    He had taken her to the highest restaurant in the city, where they watched the sunset from a private room—


    Eleanor lowered her gaze, trying to shake off the lingering memories. She turned to Mansfield. "Let me get some fruit for you."


    Eleanor picked up an apple and began to peel it.


    Mansfield watched her profile as she looked down, then asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"


    "Nothing," Eleanor said, shaking her head.


    Mansfield''s voice was gentle. "Eleanor, I don''t mind your past. You don''t need to feel burdened by it."


    Eleanor looked up into his sincere eyes, a warmth spreading through her chest. He was right. Everyone brings their past into a new. rtionship; what matters is now you build the present.


    "When you get out of the hospital, you can decide what we do," Eleanor told him.


    "Okay," Mansfield nodded with a smile. "For our first date, I''ll definitely have to n something special."