Just then, a woman''s voice came from behind him. "Thank you."


    "You''re wee,"n replied softly.


    "This equipment is very important for Mansfield''s treatment. I thank you on his behalf."


    Principal Maxwell spoke up at the right moment. "Ellie, withn''s help, I''m sure Mansfield''s treatment will go smoothly."


    Eleanor nodded, her gaze shifting back ton. She knew this equipment was hard to get; he had obviously gone to great lengths.


    Principal Maxwell nced at his watch. "I have to get to a meeting."


    They both nodded and watched him leave. Once he was gone, Eleanor said ton, "I''m going to stay a little longer. You should go if you have things to do."


    With that, she turned and went back into the hospital room. Ian stood in the hallway for a moment before heading toward the elevators.


    As he left the hospital, the afternoon sun was blinding. He got into his car but didn''t start the engine right away. He reyed the way Eleanor had looked at him— sincere andposed, as if the history and resentment between them had vanished.


    She no longer hated him, nor did she hold any expectations. She calmly epted his help, thanking him on behalf of another man.


    His phone buzzed with a message from one of his managers. [Mr. Goodwin, Drexford has confirmed the equipment will ship tomorrow.]


    He typed back, [Oversee the entire process. Ensure there are no mistakes.]


    Sunlight streamed through the car window, illuminating his resolute profile. Since this was the happiness Eleanor had chosen, he would be ready to step away at any moment.


    The ck Maybach pulled away from the hospital slowly. In the rearview mirror, the hospital building shrank until it disappeared around a corner.


    The car''s hands-free system rang. It was Gavin Young, calling to go over his afternoon schedule. There was an important meeting at three and a meeting with an overseas client at four.


    "Mr. Goodwin, I''ve canceled your attendance at the business reception tonight."


    "Good."


    Lately,n had been canceling all of his evening engagements to spend time with his daughter.


    It was ten o''clock at night when


    Eleanor opened the door. The warm glow of a single wallmp left on for her filled her with


    pang of quilt


    The house was quiet, she assumed her daughter was already asleep.


    Just then, Joslyn approached her quietly. "Ma''am, Mr. Goodwin is upstairs putting Evelyn to bed."


    Eleanor nodded. "You can head to bed."


    Joslyn returned to her room. Feeling a wave of exhaustion, Eleanor carried her bag upstairs. She checked the master bedroom, but her daughter wasn''t there. She then went to the small den on the second floor. There, under the warmmplight,n was leaning back on the sofa with Evelyn sleeping Soundly in his arms. He was resting his head against the backrest, and she couldn''t tell if his eyes were closed or if he had fallen asleep.


    Eleanor froze for a moment. The scene stirred up memories of times past when the father and daughter would snuggle together, Evelyn''s little hand clutching his shirt.


    The cold severity of his daytime


    demeanor was gone, reced by a hint of weariness in his expression Lately, he had been dealing withpany affairs, managing the board, and sharing the responsibility of caring for their daughter. It was clear he was tired.


    She was hesitating whether to wake him when he suddenly opened his eyes. Their gazes met, and for a fleeting moment, a flicker of confusion crossed his face before it cleared.


    "You''re back," he said in a low voice, carefully adjusting their daughter in his arms.