Chapter 8
“Sweetheart, Mommy loves you,” Eleanor whispered.
“I love you too, Mommy.” Her daughter’s sleepy, syrupy voice brushed her ear, followed by a warm kiss from her tiny lips.
“Mommy, you’ll always be my best mommy, I don’t want to leave you. Not ever.” Evelyn cupped Eleanor’s face in her small hands, her eyes shining with devotion in the dim light.
Eleanor hugged her daughter tighter, kissing the top of her soft head. “Mommy loves you too, darling. Always.”
Monday morning, the whole family headed to the airport.
Eighteen hours later, they touched down in Drexford. lan’s assistant, Gavin Young, was pushing a mountain of luggage; Eleanor clutched her handbag, while Evelyn–who’d slept through most of the flight–remained curled up in her father’s arms, bundled snugly in his coat.
Outside the airport, they slipped into the warmth of a waiting SUV. lan gently adjusted his daughter’s position, his deep eyes softening as he gazed down at her. With a graceful hand, he brushed a stray lock of hair from her brow.
Three vehicles made their way through Drexford’s stormy night. Eleanor gazed out at the rain–streaked city, her heart growing heavier as she thought about seeing her mother–in–law and her sister–in–law, Serena Goodwin, in just a few minutes.
Eight years ago, when lan was twenty, he’d been rushed to the hospital after a car accident–her father had been the chief surgeon on call. Eleanor, upon hearing the news, dropped out of college to care for lan. At the time, her mother–in–law was too grief–stricken to object.
Eleanor took on everything: she nursed, she cleaned, she barely slept. For a year, she rarely left lan’s side. When he finally woke up, Eleanor couldn’t contain her feelings any longer–she confessed her love and told him she wanted to marry him.
She hadn’t realized her confession had been overheard. Her mother–in–law confronted her
almost immediately, offering her a million dollars to leave lan and disappear from his life.
Eleanor was heartsick. She packed her bags, ready to go back to school, but lan showed up at her door. He said, simply, that he wanted her to be his wife.
Even now, Eleanor could remember that day vividly–how thin he’d looked, how calm his expression had been, but how bright and determined his eyes were as he said, “Let’s get married.”
On her wedding day, her father’s assistant quietly told her that it was her father who had given. lan the recordings of her year at his bedside. It wasn’t until after the wedding that Eleanor realized the truth: lan hadn’t married her for love, but out of gratitude.
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Chapter S
Back then, she’d believed that if she just loved him enough, his heart would eventually turn to her. But nineteen–year–old Eleanor had been hopelessly naïve.
Nearly an hour later, their motorcade wound its way into one of Drexford’s wealthiest neighborhoods, stopping at last before a grand, brilliantly lit estate.
A small group of staff stood at the door, ready to collect their luggage. Eleanor stepped out first, clutching her bag, and glanced back just in time to see lan descend from the car, holding their daughter close. At that moment, Evelyn finally woke up.
She wrapped her arms around her father’s broad shoulders, hair tousled, her rosy cheeks flushed with sleep, yawning–utterly adorable.
“Daddy, are we at Grandma’s house?” Evelyn asked.
Just then, a regal figure appeared at the top of the staircase. Her delighted voice rang out, “My granddaughter is here–Grandma’s right here!”
Gina Quinn’s eyes sparkled as she spotted Evelyn, but when her gaze landed on Eleanor, standing quietly in the foyer, the warmth faded. Eleanor greeted her politely. “Hello, Mom. It’s
been a while.”
“Oh, Evelyn! You’ve grown so much–come here and let Grandma give you a hug!” Gina scooped Evelyn up, beaming as she patted her granddaughter’s sturdy little arms. “Your daddy’s been taking good care of you. You’ve gotten even chubbier.”
lan immediately reached out and took Evelyn back, and Gina, understanding his concern about Evelyn’s health, didn’t protest. Instead, she turned to the staff. “Prepare a guest suite for Mrs. Goodwin.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the housekeeper replied.
Eleanor’s heart sank. The comment was for her benefit–a reminder that she wasn’t truly welcome, or else her room would have been ready already.
“Grandma, I’m hungry. Can I have something to eat? Oh–where’s Aunt Serena?” Evelyn, already comfortable in her new surroundings, was anything but shy.
“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll have the chef fix something special for you. Your aunt is skiing abroad with friends–she’ll be back for the holidays.”
Eleanor breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Serena, like her mother, had never liked her. The less she saw of her, the better.
Just then, lan’s phone rang. Eleanor glanced over and watched him check the screen before stepping outside to take the call.
Chapter 9
