As they approached the checkout counters, Eleanor started cing her items on the scanner belt. "Let''s pay for it all together,"n said to her.


    He had already pulled out his phone and opened the payment app. Eleanor stopped him. "I''ll get it myself."


    "It''s just a few essentials. It''s nothing," Ian insisted.


    Eleanor held up a hand to block him. "I''m paying for my own things." Her tone was even more insistent.


    Just then, a call came through on his phone. Ian nced at it and said to Eleanor, "I have to take an important call. Could I trouble you to—"


    He gestured meaningfully, as the cart still contained his bottle of body wash and pack of whiskey. Eleanor gave him a nod. "Fine."


    After Eleanor paid, she pushed the cart over to him. Ian hung up and took the cart from her. "I''ll get it."


    Eleanor didn''t object this time. As they walked,n pushed the cart, his gaze resting on her as he asked in a low voice, "How is Evelyn doing in school?"


    "She''s doing fine," Eleanor replied, looking down.


    "Thank you for everything,"n said softly.


    Eleanor didn''t say anything more. Taking care of her daughter was her responsibility.


    Once they were in the elevator, a little girl stared atn in amazement. Then, in what she thought was a whisper, she asked her mother, "Mommy, why is that man''s hair white?"


    The girl''s mother was so mortified she quickly pulled her daughter into her arms and covered her mouth, looking atn apologetically. "I''m so, so sorry!"


    The mother blushed, embarrassed, thinking how handsome the man was.


    After they got out of the elevator,n lifted the tworge bags. When Eleanor reached for one, he stopped her. "I''ve got it."


    After cing the bags in the trunk,n naturally opened the front passenger door for Fleaner He ran a handthrough his hair and asked her, "Does it look bad?"


    He was referring to his hair.


    Eleanor hadn''t expected him to ask that. She turned to look at him. In the dim light of the parking garage his silver-white hair had a cool


    sheen It was a strange 201


    fitting


    match for his mature, handsome face it didn''t make him look old at


    aff, instead, it added a uniquely Sharp and severe quality to his


    appearance.


    "It doesn''t look bad," Eleanor said, turning her gaze away. She then added, "If it bothers you, you could try dyeing it back."


    Then, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Dr. Sutton, could you offer me some professional advice? Can I get my hair back to the way it was naturally?"


    Eleanor nced at him. "Try to be less stressed. And maybe stop scheming so much."


    As they drove out of the oppressive underground garage, they were met with a bright, sunny morning, and Eleanor''s mood instantly fitted. Just then, the car''s hands-free phone rang. It was Joel.


    Eleanor answered it. "Hello, Joel!"


    "Ellie, are you free for lunch? I have some technical questions I''d like to ask you."


    Without a moment''s hesitation, Eleanor replied, "Sure, I''m free."


    The man beside her stared at her, stunned. He had just invited her to lunch moments ago, and she had tly refused. But for Joel, she was suddenly avable?