"Well, Vanessa is ruthless. She hadn wrapped around her finger for nearly ten years. She got his money, but she also had to ruin your marriage. In the end, it all turned out so miserable for her. What was she even after?"


    Eleanor looked up at her. "Back then, she loved him as much as I did."


    Joy understood immediately. At neen,n was every woman''s Prince Charming, the kind of man you meet once and can''t forget for the rest of your life.


    "Meetingn... I don''t know if it was her good fortune or her curse. It really proves the old saying: some people are so remarkable that meeting them too young only ruins you for everyone else." Joy said, then looked at Eleanor. "So, in thosest two years, wasn really jealous of you and Joel Kingsley?"


    "He said he misunderstood," Eleanor nodded.


    "But from his perspective, during the three years you were divorced, with you dating Xavier Vaughn, Mr. Ellington, and Joel, he certainly had plenty of reason to be jealous," Joy remarked.


    Eleanor blinked. "But we were just friends, nothing more—"


    "But it looks different from another angle. Inn''s eyes, given your history with Joel and the fact that you traveled to Montir every year... A proud man liken gets jealous quietly. He misunderstood for two years and never confronted you, did he? You two... you handle emotional problems the same way."


    Eleanor gave a nomittal nod and sighed, running a hand through her long hair. "That''s just how we are. It can''t be helped."


    "So, these three years you''ve been divorced, raising Evelyn on your own... for him, it wasn''t just a divorce, it was a punishment. It let him taste what it''s like to be abandoned." Joy gave her a suggestive wink. "So now it''sn''s turn to be head over heels and chase after you. You''d better be ready!"


    Eleanor pressed her lips together, not saying anything for a moment.


    Joy couldn''t help but lean in closer, her curiosity getting the best of her. "He''s being so attentive now, dealing with Vanessa, pulling in investments for yourb, and now he''s eagerly trying to be your neighbor. He''s obviously trying to win you back. You... what are you really thinking? Do you still have feelings for him?"


    Feelings? Eleanor paused. Maybe it was Joy''s intense stare, but Eleanor''s face suddenly felt hot.


    "Let''s not talk about this. Change the subject," Eleanor said, looking at Joy, pleading to be let off the hook.


    Joy burst outughing and nudged her shoulder lightly. "It''s been three years! You must have... needs!"


    Eleanor''s face flushed crimson. She covered her face with her hands. "What are you talking about!"


    "Don''t be shy. What''s there to be embarrassed about between us?"


    "I really haven''t had any thoughts like that these past three years. I barely have time


    with how busy I am with work, so how could I have the energy for "


    Joy decided to drop it. She knew that since the divorce, Eleanor had thrown herselfpletely into her work. Even if a man was offered to r her on a silver tter, she wouldn''t have had the time. ''


    For instance, Xavier, Mansfield Ellington, Joel, weren''t they all the cream of the crop? If she had been moved or had any inclination, she might not have been able to resist.


    But Eleanor''s self-discipline was too strong, her moralpass too high. She wasn''t


    willing to start a rtionship without knowing where it would lead.


    "Alright, let''s drop it. Just let things happen naturally from now on. I''m rooting for you two, especially after what you told me. My opinion ofm haspletely changed for the better," Joy said.


    Eleanor rested her chin on her hand and looked toward her daughter and the little one, noticing they were ying patiently with the toys.


    Joy stayed for lunch, then took her son home for his nap in the afternoon.


    Eleanor read picture books with her daughter, and in the evening, they went to the neighborhood yground for a while.