That night, after pushing aside her thoughts to read a story to her daughter, Eleanor lay awake long after Evelyn had drifted off to sleep.

lan had agreed to donate his father's body in exchange for her mother's tissue sample. Was it really, as Magdalen had suggested, just to spare her from feeling burdened, or was there another reason? But she was the one who had asked Joel Kingsley to run the match on her mother's sample. Had lan known all along that it could be used? If so, why hadn't he given it to Dr. Smith for research from the beginning? If he had, Smith wouldn't have been so surprised when she told him the news.

So, was lan still hiding something from her?

Eleanor closed her eyes. She couldn't waste any more time thinking about him.

Downstairs, in his dark, empty apartment, a man stood on the balcony. The city lights cast long shadows, making his tall figure seem lonely, yet no less powerful. The light carved sharp lines across his face, revealing a complex anxiety in his eyes and a hint of something he tried to hide-vulnerability.

lan closed his eyes, and an image of a bright, brave smile filled his mind. It was quickly replaced by Eleanor's look of disgust and hatred. His breath hitched, and he clutched his chest, his body doubling over slightly. He took several deep breaths, his eyes reopening to a world consumed by even more complex emotions.

The next morning, Eleanor was packing Evelyn's school bag.

"Mommy, are you taking me to school today?" Evelyn asked.

"Yes. Let's go," Eleanor said, stroking her daughter's head. Joslyn came over to straighten her clothes, a warm, domestic scene unfolding in the morning light.

When Eleanor opened the door, Evelyn peeked out, her face falling with a hint of disappointment when she didn't see her father. "I thought Daddy would be waiting for us."

"Your daddy wasn't here last night, so he couldn't make it. Mommy's taking you," Eleanor said, taking her daughter's hand and walking to the elevator.

After dropping Evelyn off at school, Eleanor's phone rang. It was Dr. Smith. "El, Mrs. Goodwin's condition was unstable last night. We had to transfer her to Ashford General Hospital for emergency treatment. You need to come over." Eleanor was shocked. Had Gina's condition deteriorated that quickly?

Though Gina had been critical and disapproving during their marriage, she was still her daughter's grandmother. More importantly her hess was directly linked to the research for her daughter's future. Professionally and personally, Eleanor could not stand by. She got in her car and rushed to the hospital.

When she arrived outside the ICU, she could see Gina through the glass window,

looking even thinner, an oxygen mask covering her face.

In the hallway, lan leaned against the wall, his deep-seated worry barely concealed as he watched her approach. Serena sat on a nearby bench, her face in her hands, her

shoulders shaking from recent tears.

Dr. Smith came over and explained what had happened. Gina had suddenly lost consciousness during the night. They had stabilized her for now, but she wasn't out of danger.

Eleanor glanced at lan, and he

looked back at her. Their eyes met. His were bloodshot, his brow heavy with an impenetrable worry. In the face of medicine, all status and power vanished fan was justa man, helpless against his mother's illness.

"I'll stay here. You should go back to the lab," lan said, his voice hoarse.

Eleanor looked at Gina one last time, then turned to Dr. Smith. "Doctor, I'll be heading out then."

"Can you take Serena back with you?" lan asked, his voice almost a plea.

"No, lan, I don't want to go! I want to stay here," Serena cried, though she knew there was nothing she could do but worry.

"Go back," lan said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Serena bit her lip and stood up, moving to Eleanor's side. Ian's gaze shifted to Eleanor, a silent request in his eyes, as she hadn't yet agreed.

Eleanor gave a slight nod, glanced at Serena, and walked toward the elevator.