Evelyn was engrossed in her new toy. Serena sawn leave and followed him out into the yard. She found him on a garden bench and went to sit beside him.


    "Ian, I heard Ellie is... dating someone," Serena said, turning to gauge his reaction.n''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Mm."


    n... why don''t you try to win her back?" Serena ventured, trying to encourage him.


    "Ian, tell me the truth. Do you still love Ellie?" Serena asked suddenly.


    Thest rays of the sunset caught his graying hair, casting a faint golden glow over it. He finally spoke, his voice slow. "What right does a man who doesn''t even know how to love have to talk about love?"


    Serena''s heart went out to him. "Ian, you love Ellie. You need to tell her your side, exin everything. She might hear you out. I know you never broke her trust."


    Serena felt a sting in her nose.


    She suddenly realized that behindn''s gray hair, there was not only the pain of losing Eleanor, but perhaps his own remorse as well.


    Just then, the bright lights of the sunroom illuminated Eleanor''s figure on the phone. Through the ss, they could see the gentle smile on her face. She was sitting in an ornate chair by the French doors, her chin propped on her hand, looking rxed and happy.


    Watching this scene, Serena knew that this version of Eleanor would nevere back ton.


    She nced atn beside her. As dusk settled, the breeze ruffled his hair. His gaze was also fixed an


    Eleanor. Though the appeared cata,


    Serena could sense the unspoken anguish in his heart.


    In Serena''s eyes,n had always been spirited and confident, his every move exuding a natural strength. But now, this proud man didn''t even have the courage to speak of love.


    She decided not to disturb him any longer and went back inside to be with her niece.


    Eleanor was on the phone with


    Mansfield, listening to him describe


    how his grandmother had visited


    and forced him to drink some


    medicine. As he described f


    Eleanor could just picture


    Mansfield''s grandma Mildred


    taste


    fussing over her grandson, and she


    couldn''t help butugh.


    After hanging up, Eleanor returned to the living room, where the old woman was


    asking, "Ellie, have you seenn?"


    Eleanor paused;n wasn''t on the sofa.


    "Could you find him for me? Tell him toe in for dinner," Magdalen said to Eleanor.


    Understanding that it was difficult for Magdalen to get around, Eleanor nodded. "Okay, I''ll go look for him."


    Eleanor instinctively went out into the yard. After a few steps, she sawn sitting alone on the bench, lost in thought.


    "It''s time for dinner," she said to him.


    He started walking toward her, but Eleanor turned and headed for the main hall first.


    In the dining room, Magdalen was waiting for them at the head of the table.


    Eleanor sat next to her daughter. Evelyn said coaxingly, "Mommy, I want some shrimp."