"Two antiques from an auction house. She'll like them," lan said.

Eleanor's heart skipped a beat. If they came from an auction house, they had to be worth a substantial amount. The gesture was certainly thoughtful. But the idea that he had given an eight-figure gift while she was only treating him to a single meal..... he was definitely getting the short end of the stick.

"I should still pay you—" Eleanor started, realizing the magnitude of the favor she had just accepted.

lan glanced at her in the rearview mirror and shook his head with a smile. "If you feel that bad about it, then just treat me to a few more meals."

Eleanor paused. His tone was playful, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness. He was clearly giving her an out.

She pressed her lips together, knowing it was pointless to argue further; it would just seem petty. Looking down at her daughter's peaceful sleeping face, she gently brushed the soft hair from her forehead. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," the man's voice replied, his low, pleasant tone especially clear in the quiet car.

The car pulled up to Cloudcrest Manor.

After they got out, lan quickly came over to take their sleeping daughter from Eleanor's arms. Even in her sleep, Evelyn seemed to sense his familiar presence. Her small arms unconsciously wrapped around her dad's neck as she mumbled, "Daddy!"

Something inside lan softened at the sound, and he gathered his daughter closer.

The word tugged at Eleanor in a place she'd rather not examine. Her daughter's reliance on him seemed to be growing stronger, a bond that felt increasingly difficult to sever.

Inside the elevator, the crisp scent of cedar that clung to him filled Eleanor's senses. She looked at her daughter; the little one was sound asleep.

Scenes like this had been a daily occurrence during their marriage. Whenever they went out, whether to the park or the mall, their daughter would often fall asleep in lan's arms.

A complex, indescribable emotion welled up inside her. Just then, the elevator doors chimed open, and Eleanor stepped out first, heading toward her apartment.

When she opened the door, Joslyn came to greet them. Seeing the sleeping Evelyn, she immediately fetched a pair of men's slippers for lan. After changing his shoes, lan said to Eleanor, "I'll carry hero upstairs."

Eleanor nodded and followed him up the stairs.

lan gently laid their daughter on the bed and tucked the light summer blanket around her.

Seeing her daughter was settled, Eleanor turned and left the master bedroom. Ian said to her, "I'll head down then. Call me if you need anything."

Eleanor nodded, but he paused. His gaze lingered on her face, as if he were waiting for something, or perhaps he just didn't want to leave yet.

Noticing his hesitation, Eleanor looked up at him. "Is there something else?"

"You mentioned you'd help me with a hair treatment. Remember?" lan asked with a low laugh.

Eleanor paused, vaguely recalling the conversation. She smoothed her hair. "Sorry, I forgot. I'll look into some treatment options for you when I have time."

"Actually... the best remedy is already here." lan took a step closer. His long, thick lashes cast shadows beneath his eyes as he gazed intently at her.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Eleanor said, avoiding his intense stare, though her tone was serious. "I'll put together a customized treatment plan for Soon."

The flicker of disappointment in his eyes was quickly masked by a deeper emotion. With a gentleness that was almost a sigh, he said, "Okay. I'll be waiting to hear from you."

"It's late. You should go," Eleanor said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she looked up at him.

lan was admiring her. Under the light, her face was slightly turned, revealing the elegant, captivating line of her fair neck and her

beautifully shaped earlobe. He

remembered that used to be a very sensitive spot for her. A place he wasn't allowed to kiss.

“Good night.” Ian turned and, with a surprisingly light step, left.

Eleanor felt flustered. She went into the master bedroom, grabbed her pajamas, and

headed to the bathroom. She needed a shower to clear her head before getting back to work.