On the beach, Eleanor watched her daughter splashing at the water's edge and couldn't help but smile. It had truly been too long since she'd taken her daughter out like this.

"Daddy, Mommy, come on! The water's so cool!" Evelyn waved her little hands happily.

Eleanor took off her shoes and waded in after her. When a wave rushed in, Eleanor realized too late that her dress was too long. She let out a small laugh and gathered the skirt above her knees. Her slender, fair legs were revealed in the sunlight.

lan stood a few meters behind them, his gaze hidden behind his sunglasses, quietly watching the three of them on the beach. A smile touched his lips as he witnessed Eleanor's rare moment of flustered grace.

He crossed his arms. The sea breeze lifted the hem of his linen shirt and tousled his hair. He quietly admired the vivid, lively scene before him, a picture of the most important people in his life.

Evelyn's laughter rang out as she kicked up splashes with her little feet, absolutely delighted.

"You little rascal!" Serena exclaimed as the hem of her dress got soaked by a splash from the little one.

Evelyn giggled. "Sorry, Auntie!"

“Ellie, we should go for a proper swim this afternoon! You have to get in the water this time," Serena said to her.

"Mommy, I want you to swim with me."

Eleanor brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead and nodded with a smile. "Okay, but I don't know how to swim."

"It's okay, you can use a floatie. My brother and I will be there."

The summer sun was still strong, and after about twenty minutes, the heat became too much for them. Eleanor had gotten so caught up in the fun that her braid had come loose. The wind blew loose strands across her face, softening her usual composed expression.

lan took off his sunglasses, his deep eyes admiring her. Eleanor felt his gaze; her face was already flushed from the sun. She quickly brushed the hair from her face, avoiding eye contact.

Back at the villa, Evelyn couldn't wait to play in the pool downstairs.

Eleanor changed her into her swimsuit, and Serena came to take her down, calling back, “Ellie, we'll be waiting for you in the pool!"

"Okay, you guys go ahead!" Eleanor replied.

u'd

Eleanor had brought a swimsuit with her on this trip. She opened her suitcase and took out a relatively conservative one-piece. It was a simple elegant black design, with only a small cutout detail on the back.

It had been a long time since she had worn a swimsuit. After changing, she adjusted it in the mirror, then draped a hotel bathrobe over her shoulders. Tying her long hair into a low bun, she tooka deep breath and walked out of the room.

Hearing her daughter's happy squeals from downstairs, she felt eager to get into the water with her.

However, just as she reached the turn of the staircase, she nearly collided with a man coming down from the third floor.

Eleanor instinctively took half a step back and looked up.

lan had also changed into his swimwear. He wore only a pair of dark blue swim trunks, his physique on full display: broad shoulders, firm pectoral muscles, well defined abs, and long, toned legs. Years of training had kept his body in peak condition.

A white towel was draped casually around his neck. Clearly, he was heading down to the pool as well.

Eleanor quickly averted her gaze, not letting it linger. The last time at the hotel pool, she hadn't intended to look at him so closely either.

lan clearly hadn't expected to run into her there. His eyes quickly swept over her. The curves of her body were partially hidden beneath the bathrobe, adding an air of mystery and allure.

Something sharper flashed across his face, and when he spoke, his voice came out lower than usual. “Heading down?"

Eleanor nodded. "Yes, to be with Evelyn."

"Let's go together, then,” lan said with a smile, his voice holding an extra layer of captivating magnetism.

They went downstairs one after the other, with Eleanor walking behind him.