The weekend flew by, and Monday arrived. Eleanor hadn''t received any messages fromn for two days. She didn''t reach out, and neither did he.


    That afternoon, the director of the design firm came to theb to go over the ns for her vi.


    Eleanor''s requirements weren''t too demanding. She specified a few brands for the sofa and bathroom fixtures, and after a two-hour meeting, she left the rest to the firm.


    The goal was to move in before September 1st.


    That evening, Eleanor got a call from Serena. Evelyn wanted to sleep over at Goodwin Manor, and Eleanor agreed.


    While she was working, Joslyn brought her a ss of milk.


    At 10:30 PM, Eleanor showered and got into bed. Usually, she would read academic journals, but tonight she was distracted.


    Finally, she picked up her phone, opened WhatsApp ton''s contact, and took the initiative to ask how he was doing.


    [How''s work going?]


    After sending the message, Eleanor picked up a professional journal from her nightstand, trying to focus.


    However, her eyes lingered on the text for a long time without absorbing a single word. Instead, half her attention was on the phone resting on the covers.


    About five minutester, her phone screen lit up with the sound of a notification. Eleanor immediately put down the journal and grabbed her phone. It was a reply fromn-not text, but a photo.


    The photo was a little blurry, showing the VIP lounge at an airport. Through therge floor-to-ceiling windows, a ne was visible on the runway.


    Beneath the photo was a line of text: [At the airport, about to head back. Is Evelyn asleep?]


    The anxiety Eleanor had been feeling for the past five days suddenly vanished. He wasing back. Did that mean he had handled everything?


    [Is everything taken care of?] Eleanor asked.


    [Mostly. I''ll settle the rest once I''m back,]n replied.


    [Okay, we''ll talk when you get back,] Eleanor sent, trying to end the conversation.


    [What about Evelyn? Is she with you?]n asked again.


    [She''s sleeping at Goodwin Manor tonight.]


    [Can you sleep okay by yourself?]n suddenly asked.


    Eleanor furrowed her brow and replied, [I''m reading. About to go to sleep.]


    [I board in half an hour. Want me to keep youpany?]n sent.


    Before


    her


    Or could refuse, the


    the room was broken by


    It was an international


    call from an Coonal


    belongs


    Eleanor''s heart skipped a beat,


    iing


    startled. She looked at the incor tha sense of resignation.


    After hesitating for a few seconds, she swiped to answer.


    "Hello?" Eleanor said, holding the phone to her ear.


    "Did I wake you?" the man''s deep, maic voice came from the other end.


    "I''m not really in the mood to chat. Is there something you needed?" Eleanor asked.


    "I got you both gifts. It was a bit rushed, so don''t be disappointed when you see them."


    "It was a stressful time. You


    ??19


    shouldn''t have bought anything et


    Eleanor said, not wanting him; worry about personal matters at a time like that.


    Eleanor nced at the time. It was almost eleven. "I need to sleep. I''m hanging up."


    Just as she was about to hang up, the man on the other end suddenly said her full name. "Eleanor."


    Eleanor''s hand froze. "Yes?" she answered.


    "These past five days... did you think about me at all?" he asked, his voice low and tentative.


    Eleanor''s breath caught. She wanted to say something, but in the end, all she said was, "Goodbye."