After leaving theb, Eleanor returned to her office. Gwenda poked her head in. "Eleanor, did you see Mr. Goodwin earlier?"


    Eleanor, who was about to take a drink of water, paused. "He was here?"


    "Yeah, he went into theb''s observation room about half an hour ago. He stayed for over twenty minutes and then left. You all were probably busy," Gwenda said.


    Eleanor hadn''t noticed at all. Butn''s anxiety about the experiment''s progress was understandable, given the pressure he was under-pressure from the government. There had been some good news from today''s progress. Eleanor nced at the time; it was three-thirty in the afternoon. She had a meeting at York Windsor''sb next. She took out her phone and sent a message ton: "I have a meeting tonight. Are you free to look after Evelyn?"


    "Focus on work. Leave Evelyn to me."


    The reply was simple and direct, justn''s style.


    Reading the words, Eleanor felt a wave of relief. Whatever their past was, when it came to taking care of their daughter, he was the one person she could always count on.


    She put her phone away and left for Rhine Laboratories with Ryan.


    Eleanor worked until ten that night, returning home under the stars. When she opened the door, Princess was the first to greet her, a slipper in her mouth and her tail wagging happily.


    A warmth spread through Eleanor''s heart. She crouched down, took the slipper from the dog''s mouth, and ruffled her big head. Then she walked quietly into the living room. It was silent; Joslyn had already gone to her room to rest.


    And there on the sofa satn, holding their sleeping daughter. He had been watching a ser game on mute, waiting for her.


    Eleanor looked at him, and he looked back. Their eyes met in the silent living room.


    The little girl in his arms was fast asleep, her sweet face pressed against his chest, one small hand unconsciously clutching his shirt. Ian reached for the remote and turned off the TV.


    Eleanor looked at their daughter in his arms, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. Ian noticed it. "Don''t worry," he said in a low voice. "Evelyn understands your work."


    His voice was deep and slightly hoarse.


    "Bring her to my room," Eleanor said.


    Joslyn heard Eleanor return and came out to check. Seeing the two of them heading upstairs together she silently turned and went back to her room. When she saw Princess about to follow them, she shooed the dog back, keeping her off the first floor.


    Eleanor helped pull back the covers.n leaned over and gently ced their daughter on the bed, then tenderly brushed a stray strand of hair from her face the watched her. for a few seconds before leaning down to kiss her forehead


    Eleanor waited by the door for him to leave.


    Asn walked over, she said softly, "Thank you."


    No matter what, she was grateful thatn sacrificed his own time to care for their daughter, allowing her to work without worry.


    n looked at her. Under the light, her face showed the fatigue from a long day''s work, but her eyes were clear. "Get some rest," he said in a low, concerned voice.


    With that,n turned and left quietly.


    After going downstairs,n picked up his suit jacket from the sofa and walked to the entryway. As he was leaving, he saw Princess behind him. He gestured for her, and the dog happily followed him out the door.


    Princess now had a warm dog bed on the twenty-seventh floor, so she could spend the night on either level.


    Eleanor went into the bathroom, washed away the smell of disinfectant, and reced it with a faint, fresh scent from her body wash.


    She theny down next to her


    daughter Before falling asleep, she


    habitually checked her phone. The


    message she was waiting for hadn''t


    arrived. She sighed softly and...


    With


    sense of peace, drifted off to sleep.