Evelyn handedn a handmade card. Seeing his daughter''s careful handwriting spell out, "Dad, Happy Birthday. I will love you forever and ever!", his eyes grew a little misty.


    Looking at his precious little girl, it suddenly hit him just how much she had grown. She was no longer the tiny toddler who always needed to be held and coaxed.


    He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Thank you, sweetheart."


    It was past nine, and it was time for Eleanor to head back. The garden was decorated so beautifully that Evelyn didn''t want to leave yet, so Eleanor let her stay behind. She grabbed her purse and headed out first.


    Just as she stepped outside, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to seen following her, carrying his gift bag.


    "Can I hitch a ride?"n asked with a smile, then exined, "I had some wine tonight."


    Eleanor nodded. "Get in."


    Without missing a beat, he walked over to the passenger side, opened the door, and got in.


    The car drove smoothly out of the Goodwin Manor grounds. The roads in the older part of the city were a bit congested, so Eleanor didn''t drive fast.


    "That pen,"n suddenly brought it up again, a hint of probing in his tone. "Did you really just pick it at random?"


    Eleanor shot him a nce. "What else would it be?"


    "I thought-"


    Eleanor cut him off. "It doesn''t mean anything special. I''ve bought pens for Xavier Vaughn and Mansfield, too."


    The smile on his lips stiffened slightly, and the air in the car seemed to freeze for a few seconds.


    "Are they exactly the same?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.


    "Yeah," Eleanor replied.


    It took a long while beforen spoke again. His voice was just as deep and steady as before. "I''ll make sure to use this pen well."


    Even if Xavier and Mansfield Ellington had received the exact same gift, he knew that in his heart, the meaning was entirely different.


    The car pulled into the underground parking garage. Eleanor grabbed her purse and got out, whilen grabbed his gifts and followed her.


    "Are you going to visit Joel Kingsley tomorrow?" he asked.


    "Yes, I''m stopping by in the morning," Eleanor answered.


    Ine


    "Joel risked his life to take a knife for you. Are you going to show your gratitude in some other way?",


    Kan


    intensenly, his gazengst


    asked locked


    on her


    Eleanor paused, catching the tant probing in his tone.


    "If you have something to say, just say it," Eleanor said, turning to face him.


    He hesitated for a second, lowering his voice even further. "Are you nning to use


    this life-saving debt as a reason to pledge yourself to him?"


    Under the fluorescent lights of the parking garage, the raw, unfiltered intent in his eyes was painfully clear.


    He didn''t waver. He kept his eyes locked on hers, demanding an answer.


    Eleanor frowned. She didn''t answer immediately. Ever since the incident with the ss of water she had. sensed just how much Joel''s involvement bothered him.


    But she honestly hadn''t figured out how to repay Joel yet. Being put on the spot like this threw her off, so


    trought


    she Simply said, "Thaven''t though about it."


    The light in his eyes dimmed imperceptibly. She hadn''t thought about it? Did that


    mean giving herself to Joel was actually an option she was considering?


    Just as Eleanor started walking toward the elevator, his voice trailed after her. "Gratitude doesn''t equal love. I hope you know the difference."


    Eleanor spun around. "Ian, I''m not a toddler. I don''t need you to teach me how to repay people."


    Eleanor sighed in exasperation. Did he really have to interrogate her like this?