The elevator descended to the twenty-seventh floor. The cool-toned decor made the apartment feel even colder. Ian loosened his tie and walked straight to the dressing room, changing into sweatpants before heading to the gym. The sweltering heat of the night mingled with the emptiness in his heart, and he desperately needed an outlet.


    The rhythmic hum of the treadmill filled the room as sweat quickly soaked his back. For the two years since their divorce, nights like this had be the norm.


    By day, he was a strategic titan of industry, but by night, he could only exhaust his body with exercise.


    Summer nights like this were particrly difficult, the air thick with a restless energy that frayed his most sensitive nerves.


    His mind was filled with the image of Eleanor''s alluring figure from earlier. The days and nights they had once shared flooded his memory with startling rity.


    After a high-intensity set, he leaned on the machine, breathing heavily. Beads of sweat glistened on his tan skin. The lean, powerful lines of his hips and the defined V-cut of his abs disappeared into his sweatpants. As his chest rose and fell, he straightened up, the well-defined muscles of his back ring—broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a near-perfect physique.


    He headed straight for the shower and stepped under the icy water, hoping it would cool the heat coiled tight inside him.


    ***


    The next morning, Eleanor received a phone call that left her mind nk for a few seconds.


    Principal Maxwell had decided to move Mansfield to Ashford City to coordinate with the Neural Interface Project and ensure that the technology could be deployed precisely when it was most needed.


    Eleanor took a deep breath and pulled herself together. There was still so much to do.


    But she couldn''t help herself. After Principal Maxwell called to confirm the arrangements, she used her lunch break to go to the hospital.


    Principal Maxwell was discussing something with the hospital director. Eleanor sat gently by the bedside, looking at Mansfield''s face, which seemed to have grown even thinner. Tears welled up in her eyes.


    Just then, a nurse brought in a some warm water and a towel, preparing to give him


    a sponge bath. Eleanor reached out. "Let me do it."


    She carefully washed Mansfield''s face, her movements gentle and meticulous.


    Suddenly, a figure appeared in the doorwayn.


    He had also received a call from Principal Maxwell and hade to check on things, not expecting to find Eleanor at the bedside.


    The scene was like a key, unlocking a flood of memories.


    He had watched that video of her at his bedside countless times over the past two years. In it, just like now, Eleanor was sitting by the bed, carefully wiping his face.


    Except the Eleanor back then was


    younger, more innocent, and liked to


    chat with kim


    as if he could hear.


    But the pained and determined Jook on her face was identical to the expression she wore now as she cared for Mansfield.


    His heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, a sharp pang of bitterness washing over him.


    That devoted care, once his alone, was now being given to another man.


    It meant that Mansfield had truly found a ce in Eleanor''s heart. As soon as he


    woke up, they would love each other fiercely and build a life together.


    Just then, Principal Maxwell walked over to himdan forced himself to look away and approached the older man, his voice steady. "Principal Maxwell, that Drexford precision monitoring equipment you? mentioned can be flown in within three days at the earliest


    Principal Maxwell''s face lit up with relief. "Ian, I really have to thank you for this. This


    equipment is crucial for monitoring Mansfield''s condition."


    "It was the least I could do,"n replied with a nod.


    "With this device, we''ll be able to precisely monitor Mansfield''s brain activity, providing the most critical data to support the uing neural interface intervention."


    world. He had expedited the delivery through his biotechpany.


    Principal Maxwell knew how much effort it had taken to secure the machine. He ppedn on the shoulder, his voice heavy with gratitude On behalf of Garth and Mansfield, thank you."


    "Don''t mention it." Ian offered a faint smile. "I''m just d I could help."


    Even though it might help Mansfield wake up sooner, which would meanpletely


    losing any chance of reconciling with Eleanor.


    But he had to do everything in his power. This was what he owed her.