Around seven, Eleanor returned home to find a full dinner prepared by Joslyn. She had originally nned to eat with Mansfield at the hospital, but he insisted she go home to be with her daughter, a gesture for which Eleanor was very grateful.


    "Mommy!" Evelyn rushed over to hug her. Eleanor''s gaze fell onn, who was on the sofa with their daughter, and she offered him a thankful nce. Just then, Princess bounded over excitedly, and Eleanor knelt to pet her.


    Eleanor yfully cooed at Princess and gave her a kiss. "Alright, I''m going to wash my hands."


    Joslyn, carrying a dish out from the kitchen, noticed the change in Eleanor as well. She seemed different tonight, more like the Eleanor from four years ago, whose eyes would light up with a love for life.


    Back then, that Eleanor was by Mr. Goodwin''s side. Joslyn sensed that Eleanor must be in a new rtionship.


    But with whom? Mr. Vaughn? Or Mr. Ellington?


    As Eleanor headed to the washroom, Evelyn ran to the sofa and tugged onn''s arm. "Daddy, it''s time for dinner!"


    Soon, Eleanor returned and sat down, happily serving food for her daughter. Her joy was palpable; she looked exactly like someone who had juste back from a date.


    Eleanor felt a pair of eyes on her and looked up at the man across the table, her own expression clear and open. "Let''s eat."


    "I have to go. I have something to do,"n said, putting down his fork. He looked at his daughter. "Daddy wille pick you up tomorrow morning."


    Joslyn looked at him with some regret. "Mr. Goodwin, please have some more." "Stay a little longer," Eleanor added.


    "Daddy, are you full?" Evelyn asked.


    "Yes, I''m full. You need to eat more," Ian managed a smile for his daughter. "Okay!" Evelyn nodded.


    Joslyn went to see him out. At the entryway,n nced back at the warm scene in the dining room. Eleanor was leaning in, listening to her daughter speak, her smile exceptionally gentle-a gentleness so captivating thath found himself an staring


    for a dozen seconds before


    he snapped out of it and left.


    Joslyn turned back to the living room and sighed. It seemed a new man would soon


    be the master of this house.


    Downstairs.


    He tossed his jacket onto the sofa and walked to the liquor cab to pour himself a whiskey. The cold liquid burned its way down his


    throat, but it couldn''t seem to


    extinguish the searing pain ine


    chest.


    With his drink, he moved to the floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, the cityscape shimmered, a gxy artificial stars. But as be looked out,


    artificialstars.


    it was as if all the light had gone out of his world.


    Suddenly, an unforecasted spring rain began to patter against the ss.


    A bolt of lightning tore across the night sky, illuminating his gray-white hair, the sharp


    angles of his brow, and the sharp, hidden pain in his eyes.


    In that instant, the man was like a beast trapped in a cage, in agony but without even the right to roar.