Looking at Eleanor''sposed face, Gwenda suddenly realized that despite being the same age, Eleanor had endured so much more. She still remembered the Eleanor from their college days-pure, radiant, and seemingly untouched by life''s storms.


    The Eleanor of the past had loved with a fiery, unadulterated passion. But her divorce had left her covered in invisible scars.


    Now, she approached marriage with a thickyer of rationality, constantly weighing the pros and cons to protect herself.


    This version of Eleanor was stronger, yet it made Gwenda''s heart ache.


    Ifn truly loved her, a piece of paper wouldn''t matter anyway. Eleanor lived a beautifully simple life, focused entirely on her career and her daughter. She didn''t y games, and she didn''t rely on anyone.


    More importantly, she was a woman who never needed a marriage to validate her worth.


    Even if she never remarried, Eleanor would thrive on her own.


    After chatting a bit more about work, Gwenda headed out.


    Eleanor returned to her desk to continue drafting her reports. Just then,n texted her. "I brought Evelyn to the office to hang out. Do you want toe over? We can grab dinner together."


    Eleanor texted back, "Sure. I''ll be there at five-thirty."


    "Great, see you then."


    That evening, they dined at a Chinese restaurant near Goodwin & Co. The two discussed a few details regarding Evelyn''s uing school year. Sitting beside them, Evelyn was practically buzzing with excitement about starting school.


    "Mommy, Dad said he''d take me somewhere to see fireflies before school starts! You have toe with us!" Evelyn suddenly remembered the promise her father had made that afternoon.


    Eleanor paused and nced atn. He looked up, met her gaze, and offered a gentle smile. "Evelyn has been wanting to experience the fun of catching fireflies again, so I decided to take her to an eco-resort for a little trip."


    Eleanor looked down at her daughter. "If you want to go, we should go soon. You''re starting school any day now."


    "I know! Dad said he''s taking me this weekend." Evelyn beamed at her father. "Right, Dad?"


    "That''s right. It''s not far—just over a two-hour drive. It''s an eco-lodge up in the mountains. I decided to bring Grandma along and make it a family tripn exined his eyes filled with quiet anticipation as hedooked at Eleanor.


    Evelyn tugged at Eleanor''s sleeve with her little hands. "Mommy, pleasee with us!"


    How could Eleanor possibly refuse her daughter''s plea? Besides, the memory of theirst firefly-catching adventure was still etched vividly in her mind. That feeling of being so close to nature was truly beautiful.


    "Alright. Let me arrange my work schedule," Eleanor nodded at her daughter.


    "The environment at the resort is fantastic, and the air is incredibly fresh. Just treat it as a rxing getaway,"n said with a smile.


    Evelyn spent the rest of dinner


    happily anticipating their firefly hunt. As she chattered away, she recalled theirst wonderful experience. Last time at Mr Ellington''s base, Mommy and I caught so many! He even gave me a whole jar of them!"


    She turned to Eleanor excitedly. "Mommy, do you remember catching fireflies with Mr. Ellington?"


    Eleanor smiled and affectionately rubbed the little girl''s head. "Yes, Mommy remembers."


    "Wasn''t it so much fun?"


    "It was wonderful," Eleanor agreed with augh.


    "Yeah! The three of us can catch them together!" Evelyn pped her hands in delight.


    Eleanor looked up, colliding with a pair of deep, smiling eyes. "I want to share those beautiful memories with the two of you as well."


    Eleanor was momentarily speechless.


    She lowered her eyshes slightly, remaining silent.


    Evelyn,pletely oblivious to the


    shifting atmosphere between her parents, kept chattering away. Finally noticing that her dad wasn''t ever fatening to her and was jus staring fixedly at her mom, she swatted his arm. "Dad, are you even listening to me?"