lan was a steady driver, and there wasn't much for Eleanor to say to him. Yet instead of pulling up at the hospital, his car stopped in front of a small restaurant. Eleanor frowned, glancing at him as she asked, "Why are we here?"

"I already asked Serena to bring Evelyn here. Let's get something to eat first," lan replied, stepping out of the car.

Eleanor felt a stab of frustration, but since her sister-in-law had brought her daughter to the restaurant, she couldn't just leave. Sighing, she followed lan inside.

Truth be told, hunger was gnawing at her too-her stomach had started to ache.

They picked a table by the window. Ian sat down, scanning the menu before asking Eleanor what she'd like. She barely looked up from her phone and murmured, "Whatever's fine."

lan ordered five dishes, then quietly sipped his tea while Eleanor kept her eyes glued to her screen.

The hospital wasn't far; about ten minutes later, Serena arrived, holding Evelyn's hand. Vanessa walked in alongside them.

Eleanor's expression faltered. She'd thought someone from the Goodwin family was looking after her daughter-she hadn't expected Vanessa. Now that Vanessa was pregnant, she no longer needed to curry favor with her, and she'd secured her own place in the Goodwin household.

Adults didn't need to shout or curse to bully a child. Sometimes, all it took was a look to bruise a little heart.

Eleanor's appetite vanished.

"Mommy!" Evelyn ran over, cheerful as ever.

Eleanor took her daughter's hand and turned to lan. "You all go ahead and eat. We're leaving."

Vanessa called out with a smile, "Miss Sutton, are you in such a hurry?"

Serena looped her arm through Vanessa's. "Vanessa, you haven't had dinner yet, have you? Why not eat with my brother?"

Vanessa gave a modest laugh. "Oh, I couldn't possibly impose."

"We're all family here. There's no need to stand on ceremony," Serena replied, her words pointedly directed at Eleanor.

lan got up and followed Eleanor outside. Vanessa's smile froze for a moment, and Serena's face showed her annoyance-why did her brother have to chase after her?

lan didn't have any grand intentions. He just wanted to say goodbye to his daughter properly.

"Evelyn, give Daddy a hug before you go," lan said, scooping her up. He ruffled her hair, his eyes filled with reluctant affection.

"Daddy, why don't you come home with us?" Evelyn asked innocently.

"Evelyn, your daddy's very busy. Let's get going," Eleanor cut in quickly.

"Okay," Evelyn pouted, disappointed.

Eleanor buckled her daughter into the car seat. As she closed the door, lan's low voice came from behind, "You haven't told Evelyn about the divorce, have you?"

Caught off guard, Eleanor turned to him. "I will. I'll talk to her."

"I think you should wait. I'm worried she won't be able to handle it," lan suggested quietly.

Eleanor wasn't sure what he meant by that. As she slid into the driver's seat, lan's voice came again, gentle but firm, "Drive safe."

With Evelyn in the car, Eleanor always drove cautiously.

Once they'd pulled away, lan headed back inside. Serena met him at the door. "lan, Vanessa's so hungry her stomach hurts. You should eat with her-she can't afford to skip meals right now."

lan waved over the waiter and ordered two more dishes Vanessa could stomach. Serena sat down to keep them company.

Just then, Vanessa's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. "Excuse me, I need to take this."

The delicate, fragile act Vanessa had put on in front of lan vanished as soon as she stepped outside. Wrapping her arms around herself, she walked a little further from the restaurant before answering. "Hello, Dad?"