At the airport under the night sky, traffic flowed endlessly. Parked between two black SUVs, a Rolls-Royce waited quietly. Just as Vanessa stepped out of the terminal,

she saw lan protectively helping Eleanor into the car. Eleanor didn't reject his attentive service.

Laverne, standing beside her, was shocked. Could the rumors online be true? Was lan really getting back together with Eleanor?

She watched as the three-car convoy assertively pulled away from the curb and disappeared into the distant stream of traffic.

Vanessa forced herself to look away and walked toward her van. Once inside, she took off her sunglasses, her eyes filled with gloom. She had been abroad for a medical check-up and was scheduled to undergo IVF in a foreign country soon.

Laverne got in the car and saw Vanessa staring out the window, her face dark and sullen. She couldn't help but wonder, if Eleanor and lan did remarry, would Eleanor retaliate against Vanessa for what she had done back then?

After all, the main reason for her divorce from lan was Vanessa. The dramas Vanessa had orchestrated were filmed and released with Laverne's help. At the time, Vanessa was, for all intents and purposes, the other woman.

Although the truth was now out—that Vanessa and lan's relationship was merely a transaction—Laverne felt a sense of regret for her. If only she had managed to have a child with lan during that time, she wouldn't have been cast aside after her use was up.

Vanessa had the looks and the body; she was a temptation most men couldn't resist. Yet, how had lan managed to restrain himself all these years?

Could it be that something was physically wrong with him? Laverne secretly wondered.

Seeing Vanessa still in a foul mood, Laverne offered some well-meaning advice. "Vanessa, you need to take care of yourself right now. You shouldn't let your emotions get the best of you."

Vanessa seemed not to hear. She picked up her phone, scrolled through her photos, and then began swiping frantically. Finally, she stopped at one picture she had taken secretly. In it, lan's handsome face was stern, but at least he was by her side.

Laverne glanced over and saw Vanessa looking at the photo. She hated lan so much, yet at this moment, her eyes were filled with infatuation.

lan had everything it took to drive women crazy-old money, unfairly good looks, and more money than anyone could wrap their head around.

Most of the time, she thought Vanessa was smart, ambitious, and calculating. But in front of lan, she was an out-and-out fool. She knew the man had never had her in his heart, yet she had loved him unconditionally for ten years.

Vanessa bit her lip, only wishing she had caused Eleanor more pain back then. Otherwise, why would she even consider getting back with a man like lan?

***

Ashford's skyline glowed against the night, all glass and light.

lan's convoy drove smoothly back toward the city. He glanced at Eleanor beside him and noticed she was staring out the window, lost in thought.

lan really wanted to ask what she was thinking, but he held back. He knew there were some boundaries he shouldn't cross just yet.

The convoy arrived at Cloudcrest Manor.

lan said to Eleanor, "You go home and rest first. I'll go pick up Evelyn."

Eleanor nodded, grabbed her bag, and got out of the car. A bodyguard handed her the suitcase.

As Eleanor entered the community gates, the early summer night air was cool and breezy, and her steps felt a little lighter.

When she got home, Joslyn immediately asked if she wanted to eat anything. Eleanor replied, "Let's wait until Evelyn gets back."

"Okay!" Joslyn nodded.

Eleanor bent down to pet Princess's head before heading upstairs to take a shower.

She changed into a loose, long

T-shirt and came downstairs, checking her emails on her iPad. After the Neural Interface Project was wrapped up it could be handed over to the military. There would likely be a period of transition and coordination.

At eight-thirty, the doorbell rang. Joslyn hurried to open the door, and lan walked in, holding Evelyn Goodwin's hand.

Evelyn changed her shoes and rushed over to Eleanor. "Mommy, I missed you so much!"

Eleanor ruffled her little head. "Mommy missed you too." Then, she handed her a wrapped gift box. "Open it and see."

Evelyn happily took the box and opened it, her eyes lighting up. "Wow! It's a little tank!"

"Mr. Ellington sent it for you," Eleanor told her.

"Really? I love it!" Evelyn exclaimed, then started playing with it on the sofa.

lan stood in the entryway and said to Eleanor, "I'll head down now."

Eleanor gave him a nod. The atmosphere between them had become noticeably more natural after the trip to Kingston.

Joslyn started cooking a bowl of

noodles for Eleanor. Beside her, Evelyn played with the tank, unable to put it down. She asked curiously, "Mommy, when is Mr. Ellington coming to our house to play?"

"Mr. Ellington is very busy recently. We'll see in the future," Eleanor replied gently.

Evelyn propped her chin on her hands and asked, "Can I go see the fireflies at his base again someday?"

Her question caught Eleanor slightly off guard. Looking at her daughter's expectant eyes, she reached out and stroked her head, coaxing softly, "Be good. There will be a chance in the future."

Evelyn didn't press the issue. Joslyn called her upstairs for a bath.

As Eleanor ate her noodles, her mind drifted to her upcoming research. Midway through her meal, she sighed, put down her utensils, and leaned back in her chair. Staring out at the right sky a wave

helplessness washed over her.