Joy was frustrated. "How can it not be important? The pain was real! Even if he was trapped at the time and had to y along to keep Vanessa on the hook, that''s no excuse for how he neglected you. There were times, before Vanessa showed up, when you two were happy together."


    Eleanor rested her chin on her hand and said softly, "The way things are now is fine. He has his path, and I have my life to live. You only dig through old misunderstandings if you''re trying to fix things, and I''m not interested in that anymore."


    Joy looked at her friend and suddenly understood. She leaned in closer. "Ellie, have you really... let it go?"


    She saw it in her friend''s eyes. It wasn''t out of anger or resentment, but a state of genuine release.


    "Right now, I just want to live my life well, focus on my work and Evelyn, and be able to have tea and chat with you like this. I''m already very content," Eleanor said, a sincere smile gracing her lips.


    Seeing the light in Eleanor''s eyes, Joy finally understood. Eleanor was no longer shrouded by the shadows of the past. In her new life,n had be a passerby.


    Even though she had loved him so much.


    "Alright," Joy said, raising her teacup. "Then here''s to your new life. Box up all the old drama and all the old guys and dump it at the curb!"


    Eleanor smiled and clinked her cup against Joy''s. "Cheers."


    Still, Joy couldn''t quite let it go. In a tone that was halfint, half jest, she said, "If it were up to me, I''d maken chase you all over again, just like you once loved him. Let him get a taste of what it''s like to bare his soul and never feel sure of you, only for you to shut him down in the end. Then he''d know what heartache feels like."


    Eleanor couldn''t help butugh at that. She shook her head with a hint of amusement. "My time and energy are too precious to waste on things like revenge."


    Joy huffed. "If it were me, I wouldn''t let it slide so easily."


    But she was truly happy that her friend had moved on.


    "You''re right. You''re the bigger person, Dr. Sutton," Joy said with a smile.


    Eleanor held her teacup and gazed out at the bustling street. "Life is short. You should spend it doing things you love."


    "Hey, so what''s the deal with you and that Major Ellington?" Joy couldn''t resist asking.


    Eleanor looked up at her and smiled. "We''re friends."


    "Wow! Being friends with Major Ellington is still pretty amazing.. People like us probably won''t even get to see him in person in this lifetime Joy said, full of envy


    Eleanor didn''t seem inclined to discuss Mansfield further, so Joy didn''t pry, Just then, Eleanor''s phone buzzed with a message. She picked it up and nced at it.


    [Is the wrap-up work going smoothly?] It was fromn.


    Eleanor nced at it. The Neural


    Interface Project was a Goodwin get


    Co. project, and as the boss, he deserved a reply  t?


    [Still wrapping up,] Eleanor texted back.


    [Make sure to rest. Don''t overwork yourself,]n replied.


    Joy asked curiously, "Who''s that? Texting you so eagerly. A new admirer?"


    n," Eleanor answered quietly.


    Joy''s interest was immediately piqued. "What''s he talking to you about?"


    "He''s asking about work," Eleanor said.


    Joy propped her chin on her hand. "Is he only asking about work?"


    "What else would he ask about?" Eleanor looked at her, amused.


    "I''m just thinking, maybe he regrets it and wants to win you back," Joy said, not holding back.