Eleanor was surprised that he knew and cared enough to ask, especially since he was stationed so far away at the base. A wave of gratitude washed over her. "I'm planning to head to Kingston around noon tomorrow."

"Alright. Be safe on the road."

"I will," Eleanor replied.

At ten-thirty that night, after tucking her daughter into bed, Eleanor went downstairs to the living room to unwind. Her phone buzzed again. It was a message from Laura. "Ellie, it's bad news. The latest results show that Professor Langley's cancer cells are showing signs of spreading. She needs surgery immediately."

Eleanor's mind went blank for a second. Simone's condition had deteriorated far more quickly and dangerously than anyone had anticipated.

"She's scheduled for emergency surgery at eight tomorrow morning."

Eleanor immediately checked for flights. There was one leaving at one in the morning. If she wanted to be there for Simone's surgery, she had to be on that plane.

She glanced toward her sleeping daughter's room and made a decision. Joslyn couldn't look after Evelyn, which left only one person she could—and had to— entrust her to.

The man downstairs.

Evelyn was too heavy for her to carry now. Eleanor stood up from the sofa, threw on a coat, and walked out the door. She went straight to the twenty-seventh floor and, after a moment's hesitation, rang lan's doorbell.

Inside, lan had just stepped out of the shower. He frowned at the sound of the doorbell; whoever it was seemed to be in a hurry, pressing the button in rapid succession. He wondered who would dare disturb him this late.

With a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, his bare torso revealing well- defined abs and a taut waistline, he walked to the door, still damp from the shower. When he glanced at the security monitor, he froze.

Eleanor's face was on the screen.

Did something happen to their daughter? She would never come to him at this hour unless it was an absolute necessity.

He pulled the door open, coming face-to-face with her.

Eleanor was momentarily stunned by the sight of his powerful, bare chest. She quickly averted her eyes her words tumbling out in a rush. 1 have to go to Kingston immediately. I need you to bring Evelyn

downstairs. She'll have to sleep with you tonight."

lan's brow furrowed. "How is Professor Langley?"

"She has surgery at eight tomorrow morning. My flight is at two," Eleanor said, still avoiding his gaze.

"Alright. Give me two minutes. I'll come up to your apartment." He needed to get dressed.

Eleanor turned and left, leaving her door unlocked for him. Two minutes later, lan arrived, dressed in a set of silk pajamas.

Just then, Eleanor's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and said to lan, "Evelyn's in the master bedroom. You can go get her."

lan nodded, but as he started up the stairs, he heard Eleanor walk out onto the balcony.

"Hello? Mansfield-"

lan's steps faltered. He glanced toward the balcony, where the glass reflected Eleanor's silhouette as she spoke on the phone. He couldn't make out her words, but he didn't need to.

He turned his gaze away and

continued upstairs. In the soft blue master bedroom, Evelyn was sleeping soundly on the large bed lan carefully lifted his daughter inta his arms, his expression tender and full of love. He couldn't resist leaning down to press a soft kiss on her adorable sleeping face.

When lan carried Evelyn downstairs, Eleanor had just finished her call and was walking back in from the

balcony The anxiety on her facenet

seemed to have lessened, as if the phone call had reassured heb it was clear that someone in Kingston had already made all the necessary arrangements for her.

Eleanor walked over to him. "Please take care of Evelyn for the next couple of

days. Call me anytime if you need anything."

lan looked as if he wanted to ask something, but in the end, he just swallowed

and said in a low voice, "Be safe. Let me know when you get there."