The first thing she realized as her consciousness returned was that she was leaning on someone's shoulder. She lifted her head abruptly and met lan's smiling eyes.

Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly sat up straight, smoothing her messy hair. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it," lan said naturally. "Did you sleep well?"

Eleanor nodded. "I did."

"We're heading back to Goodwin Manor for dinner now. Evelyn can't wait to see you."

"Okay," Eleanor replied. She missed her daughter terribly, too.

At Goodwin Manor, when they received word that lan and Eleanor were coming back for dinner together, Gina immediately had the staff get busy. Serena Goodwin was also thrilled. Her brother had personally gone to bring Eleanor home, which clearly meant Eleanor was giving him a chance.

In the past, Eleanor would have rather flown commercial than let him pick her up.

At six-thirty, as the evening sky was painted with color, Eleanor and lan walked into the grounds of Goodwin Manor together.

Hearing their arrival, Evelyn Goodwin rushed out excitedly. "Daddy, Mommy!"

She ran toward them like a happy little bird. Eleanor stepped forward first and swept her daughter into a hug. It had only been a week, but it felt like she had grown taller.

"Mommy, did Daddy come to pick you up?" Evelyn asked cheerfully.

Eleanor nodded. "Yes."

"See? Daddy is very good to you, isn't he?" Evelyn said, suddenly sounding like a little grown-up.

Eleanor was taken aback. Beside them, lan crouched down with a smile. "And Mommy is very good to Daddy, too."

Eleanor didn't know what to say.

"Come on. Mommy and Daddy are hungry. Let's go inside for dinner," lan said, taking his daughter's little hand.

Eleanor followed them in. She had left in a hurry and hadn't brought any gifts back.

"Ellie, you're here," Serena greeted her, her eyes scanning Eleanor. Ellie looked more radiant, even more beautiful. Had something happened between them abroad?

Magdalen was in good spirits. "You're all back." Then she turned to Eleanor with concern. "How were your studies abroad? Was it tough?"

"Not at all. I learned a great deal," Eleanor replied with a smile.

Gina was

busy in the kitchen.

Sometimes, when she faced

Eleanor a sense of guilt would still wash over her. Even if she wanted to be good to Eleanor, she needed Eleanor to be willing to accept it.

Otherwise, she would only be doing things that weren't wanted.

The dinner was uneventful. Ian didn't make any grand gestures. His relationship with Eleanor had just started to mend, and he didn't want his family to put any pressure on her.

That evening, Eleanor took her daughter home. Princess, who

hadn't seen her for a week, et

her feet nonstop. lan came up spendime with his daughter and Princess happily played around his legs as well.

Eleanor didn't have any work to attend to today. On the sofa, Joslyn brought over a plate of cut fruit and a tea set.

Eleanor poured a cup of tea for lan. "Have some tea."

lan took it from her. "Are you going to take a week off before going back to work?"

"No, I need to be at the lab tomorrow. After this week, I plan on taking Evelyn on a trip."

lan's eyes immediately lit up. "Where are you planning to go?"

"Not too far. There's an island resort in the country," Eleanor said. It was a newly developed resort she had researched, with crystal-clear waters and a private beach. "I'll come with you," lan said, his eyes pleading.

"If you're busy-"

Before Eleanor could finish, lan cut her off with a light laugh. "I can always make time."

Beside them, Evelyn blinked her big eyes. "Mommy, please let Daddy come with us! I want to play with him."

Eleanor looked down, considered it for a moment, and then nodded. "Okay."

"Yay! I get to go on a trip with Mommy and Daddy!" Evelyn shouted with joy.

Joslyn, overhearing this, couldn't help but smile. She felt that the dynamic between Eleanor and lan had changed for the better since they returned.

It was half-past eight, and Eleanor turned to the man on the sofa. "You must be tired, too. You should go get some rest."

lan glanced at his watch. "Alright. You two get some rest as well."

Princess escorted him to the door. Ian looked down at the dog and said in a low voice, "Princess, come with me."

Princess immediately seemed to understand and looked back at Eleanor, waiting like a child for permission. Eleanor gave a nod. "Go on."

Princess happily bounded out the door. After the incident where they had to search for Princess, Eleanor could see how much lan cared for the dog, so she let it go down with him.