At eight o''clock, the two men took their children home. They went to the yground, wheren and Xavier stood by, discussing business while the girls yed under the lights.


    Around eight-thirty, Eleanor returned home from theb. Joslyn told her Evelyn


    wasn''t back yet, so Eleanor decided to take Princess for a short walk. After a whole day in theb, she needed to stretch her legs.


    As she neared the yground, she nced over and saw her daughter, Evelyn, ying with Vivian. Eleanor led Princess closer and also sawn and Xavier standing in the shadows of the trees.


    "Woof!" Princess yipped excitedly, practically begging to go over, so Eleanor had no choice but to head in their direction.


    Eleanor had already showered and had no makeup on. Under the lights, her face was fair and clear.


    She wore a light gray summer long-sleeve tee, revealing a pair of straight, slender legs. She exuded a fresh, rxed air, like a girlfortable at home.


    Xavier''s gentle eyes flickered with a momentary stir of emotion, but he perfectly suppressed it.


    "Eleanor," he said, greeting her first.


    "Xavier," Eleanor smiled at him, then looked atn. "You should take Evelyn home for her bath soon. I''ll just walk a couple moreps and head back."


    "Princess, let''s go!" Eleanor urged, walking over to tug at its cor. The faint, clean scent from her recent shower wafted pastn like a feather brushing against his heart. He looked down at the woman beside him, his dark eyes filled with aplex, unreadable emotion.


    Eleanor forcefully pulled Princess away. Her departure seemed to leave an awkward tension between the two men.


    "Are you and Eleanor... nning to remarry?" Xavier asked in a low voice, his eyes sincere and wishing them well.


    Xavier blinked, a look of surprise and shock on his face.


    "Are you sure?"


    "Yes,"n''s voice wasced with a bitterness he couldn''t hide.


    The night wind rustled through the trees, and the silence between the two men grew heavier.


    Xavier could see that Eleanor''s feelings towardsn had changed significantly. Now he understood it was because she had epted a new rtionship.


    That would certainly help her move on from past hurts, make peace with the past, and establish a


    -parenting partnership with her, ex husband.


    "Then..." Xavier started to say something more.


    Xavier studiedn''s expression under the moonlight. Though the words were calm, Xavier could hear the suppressed pain within them.


    If Mansfield was the man Eleanor had chosen, then he, too, would wish her well. She deserved to be treated properly.


    "But I will continue to support her research,"n said, his gaze firm as he looked into the distance. "I''ll give her everything I can."


    "That''s good. Evelyn still needs you," Xavier said, gently patting his shoulder in a silent gesture offort.