The flicker of light in lan's eyes dimmed, swallowed once again by the bloodshot haze.

"I'll get you some water," he said, rising and walking over to the small kitchenette to pour her a glass.

Eleanor didn't take it. Ian's voice returned to its usual low tone. "The doctor said you need to stay hydrated."

She reached out and took the glass, taking a few sips. "I'm really fine. You can leave now."

lan sat back down. "I'll leave after you've had the cardiac screening and I know for sure you're okay."

"Cardiac screening?" Eleanor frowned.

"Yes. The doctor recommended it," lan confirmed.

Eleanor shook her head. "That's not necessary. I know my own body."

"If you knew your own body, you wouldn't have collapsed and ended up in the hospital," lan retorted softly.

Eleanor was silenced.

"If you don't want to end up like your father, you'll do the tests and give everyone some peace of mind," lan said, his voice low. Then, he added gently, "Evelyn needs her father, but she needs her mother, too."

His words made Eleanor stiffen. She swallowed hard and finally relented.

"Fine. I'll do it. But let's get it over with quickly. I have work to do at the lab."

The hospital promptly arranged a detailed cardiac screening for Eleanor. Ian stayed by her side the entire time, ignoring her protests that his presence wasn't necessary. By the time the series of tests was completed, it was seven in the evening.

The results would take a few days, so Eleanor decided to go home and rest.

lan drove her home. She hadn't been back in three days. The moment she stepped through the door, Evelyn Goodwin ran into her arms with a happy cry. "Mommy, I missed you so, so much!"

"I missed you too, sweetie," Eleanor said, crouching down to her daughter's level.

Just then, Evelyn noticed lan standing nearby. With a child's keen observation, she tilted her head. "Daddy, can you kneel down?"

lan knelt, looking at her. "What is it?"

Eleanor instantly realized her daughter had spotted his gray hair-a topic she still hadn't brought up with lan, who seemed completely unaware of the change.

"Daddy, did you dye your hair? Why is there gray in it?" Evelyn asked curiously.

lan was taken aback for a moment. He glanced at Eleanor. "What's wrong with my hair?"

"Go look in a mirror," Eleanor said, averting her gaze.

lan stood up. "Come with me, sweetheart."

He took his daughter's hand and led her to the downstairs bathroom. As they left, Joslyn hurried over. "Ma'am, is everything alright? Mr. Goodwin scared me träff to death last night."

Eleanor frowned slightly. "What did he do?"

"He was frantic, and his face was white as as

He looked like his

whole world was collapsing," Joslyn described still shaken i've never seen him like that before."

Eleanor's heart sank. A thought surfaced, and she quickly pushed it away. "Oh. It's

fine now, don't worry," she said, reassuring Joslyn.

She had intended to go upstairs, but her feet carried her toward the bathroom instead.

From inside, she heard her daughter's surprised voice. "Daddy, your hair really did turn white! There's lots and lots of it!"

Then came lan's voice, attempting a lighthearted tone. "Well, is a daddy with gray hair still handsome?"

"Of course! My daddy is the most handsome man in the world," Evelyn declared.

As Eleanor stood there, lost in

thought, lan emerged with Evelyn. He saw Eleanor and paused, his expression quickly returning to. normal) but his eyes were fixed on her face, filled with a complex Searching look. He seemed to trying to read something in her expression.

Eleanor instinctively avoided his gaze and looked down at her daughter. "Evelyn, Mommy's going to go take a shower."