Xavier knew with certainty that from this day forward, his feelings for Eleanor would only be those of a friend''s care and concern. He would no longer hope for anything


    more.


    ***


    Eleanor led her daughter into the elevator, andn''s tall frame followed them in. Evelyn reached out to press the button for their floor, andn reached out to press the one for his, the 27th.


    "Thank you for being so understanding with Henry today. He''s been wanting to find a chance to apologize to you,"n said in a low voice, his gaze fixed on Eleanor from beneath thickshes, as if trying to read her.


    "I''ve already forgotten about the past," Eleanor replied calmly.


    A flicker of apology crossedn''s eyes. If Henry hadn''t told him, he would have never known she''d had issues with him as well.


    "I''m sorry. In the past... you went through a lot,"n''s voice was deep, heavy with


    remorse.


    Talk of their failed marriage still stirred something in Eleanor, but not much.


    There was a time when those hurts were like invisible thorns lodged deep in her heart. She would toss and turn all night, her mind in turmoil, over a cold word or a moment of neglect from him.


    Now, hearing his apology, she mostly felt a sense of peace thates with time, as if she had detached herself from her past emotions.


    She didn''t love him anymore, but she didn''t hate him either.


    Just then, the elevator doors opened. Evelyn was preupied with a small toy in her hands and hadn''t heard what her parents were talking about.


    As Eleanor unlocked her front door, she turned to the man who had walked her to her doorstep. Her eyes were clear as she looked at him. "We were too young back then. I had an overly idealized view of love and marriage, and I was too dependent on you, losing myself in the process. And you had your own difficulties. The way we are now, able to get along peacefully for Evelyn''s sake, is good enough."


    There was no resentment in her words, no usation, only a calm rity thates with experience.


    Butn''s heart felt as if it had been squeezed by an iron fist, a dull ache spreading through his chest.


    Eleanor''s casual demeanor made it seem like she truly didn''t care about any of it anymore.


    He had lost not only their marriage, but also Eleanor''s unreserved, fiery, and pure love.


    The Eleanor of today was more mature, independent, her heart clearly guarded. To re-enter it...


    He would need to offer much more than a simple apology.


    "I understand,"n said, swallowing hard as he forcibly suppressed the storm of


    emotions rising within him.


    Seeing that he seemed to


    understand her meaning, Eleano gave a slight nod and pushed the door open. She saw Princess trying to dart out and quickly grabbed the cat''s cor, holding her back.


    If Eleanor had taken one more look back, she would have seen a pair of eyes no longer restrained, but overflowing with a turbulent love. She would have seen the


    frantic thoughts swirling within them.


    And at the heart of that gaze was the beginning of an uncontroble obsession.


    He pressed a hand tightly over his heart, his eyes burning.


    She doesn''t care anymore.


    Did she really not care?


    He would rather she hate him, resent him, curse him. At least that would mean she still had emotions left for him. But Eleanor''s words suggested she saw him as nothing more than a. co-parent.


    Even though he had sensed this before, he was now consumed by an


    unprecedented sense of panic and helplessness.


    Was he really supposed to just let go, to be nothing more than a good ex-husband and a father to their child?<pn slowly straightened up. Though the ache in his chest lingered, his eyes regained theirposure. He had never been one to give up easily.