Though her face was still tinged with fatigue, her color had returned. Clearly, Mansfield''s recovery had thrilled her.


    Watching someone you care aboute back from the edge is better than any treatment in the world.


    Eleanor sawn still sitting in the corridor and frowned slightly. Why hadn''t he left?


    As she approached,n stood up and spoke first. "How is he?"


    "He''s recovering well, better than expected," Eleanor answered calmly.


    Eleanor was a bit surprised. "When did you decide this?"


    She hadn''t heard anything about it from her daughter.


    The implication was clear: even if she wasn''t working, taking care of Mansfield would keep her busy enough.


    Before Eleanor could respond,n''s gaze fell on her. "Do you want to...e with us? Or... would you rather spend more time with him?"


    Eleanor thought about it seriously. She really couldn''t get away. Wrapping up the project was important, and she didn''t have the energy for a trip anyway. She shook her head. "You guys go ahead. I can''t get away." Then she added, "I''m fine with Evelyn going with you. It''ll be good for her to get out and have some fun."


    Her answer was exactly whatn had expected. A flicker of disappointment, almost imperceptible, crossed his eyes.


    She chose to stay. Was it for work, or to be by Mansfield''s side every moment?


    He figured it was thetter. They had only just started their rtionship when Mansfield was deployed Now, that he was finally awake, it was natural for the young couple to want to be close.


    she


    Even when he was won bisp


    would insist on curling up in bisp like a clingy kitten.


    The memory made his heart ache. Though the Eleanor of today was more reserved, her core nature was still gentle and thoughtful.


    "Alright,"n nodded, his face unreadable. "We''ll be gone for about a week. Take care of yourself. Eat on time, and don''t get so busy that you neglect everything else."


    Eleanor was taken aback. When hadn learned to be so caring? That wasn''t like him at all.


    "Thank you for your concern," she said, maintaining her polite distance.


    "Are you heading home? I can give you a ride,"n asked.


    "No, I''m staying here for a while. I need to meet up with Ryan," she said, clearly not wanting to go with him.


    She didn''t want to go with him. She wanted to stay here. The reason was painfully obvious He stared at her, making her feer uneasy. Just then, her phone rang. She ne


    the screen and stepped aside t answer it. "Hello, Ryan."


    at


    "He''s awake, and his condition is better than expected," Eleanor said, her voice filled with excitement.


    The pair of eyes behind her remained fixed on her. The faint possibility he had harbored, the hope he hadn''t dared to voice, was now, at this very moment,ing to a definitive end.