Chapter 17
Eleanor replied modestly, “It’s really just the result of years of basic research, plus the notes my dad left behind. I also drew on reports from cutting–edge medical labs around the world. That’s how I formed my perspective.”
“Excellent, excellent! There’s always more to learn, but Eleanor, your theory is truly impressive,” Dr. Lyman said, his admiration clear.
They talked for another two hours before Dr. Lyman had to leave for a meeting. As he gathered his things, he spoke with sincere encouragement: “Eleanor, this lab needs to happen. I’ll do everything I can to support you. You’re going to be just as brilliant as your father.”
After Dr. Lyman left, Eleanor and Jude Vaughn continued their discussion for another two hours. Finally, Eleanor glanced at her watch–it was time to pick up her daughter.
“Don’t worry about getting the lab started,” Jude assured her. “I’ll take care of everything.”
Once she’d picked up her daughter, Eleanor took her to a nearby shopping mall to pick out some early spring clothes.
As they stepped out of the lobby hand–in–hand, Eleanor immediately spotted a striking figure in the crowd–Vanessa, flanked by her assistant. Vanessa drew plenty of glances from the men around her, and Eleanor noticed the assistant carrying ordinary household bags. Her brows furrowed. Had Vanessa moved into the neighborhood?
Probably lan’s doing, Eleanor thought, so it’d be easier for them to meet up in secret.
She gripped her daughter’s hand and hurried away, not wanting Evelyn to spot Vanessa.
“Look, Mommy! A puppy! Can I have one too?” Evelyn’s eyes sparkled as she watched a little girl walk by with a fluffy dog.
Eleanor had always worried about her daughter being bitten, so she’d never allowed a pet in the house. But lately, Evelyn had mentioned that Vanessa kept a dog, and had been begging to go see it.
Eleanor ruffled her daughter’s hair. “Are you sure you want a puppy?”
“I’m sure,” Evelyn said, nodding emphatically.
Eleanor smiled. “Alright, let’s go pick one out together.”
“Really? I can really get a puppy? But what if Daddy says no?” Evelyn’s cheeks flushed with excitement.
“If Mommy says yes, that’s all that matters, Eleanor replied, lifting her eyebrows in a playful grin.
“Yay! I’m getting a puppy!”
Eleanor took her daughter to an upscale pet shop, where Evelyn instantly fell in love with a
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Chapter 17
beagle puppy. The owner assured them this little one was gentle, calm, and loved being around people.
After Eleanor paid, Evelyn cradled the puppy in her arms, her smile so big it nearly split her face. “Mommy, she’s so cute! I love her so much!”
“Then let’s take her home, sweetheart.” Eleanor couldn’t help but laugh, swept up in her daughter’s delight.
When they got home, Joslyn, their housekeeper, was caught off guard at the sight of Evelyn clutching a puppy. Mr. Goodwin was famously neat–would he really allow a dog in the house?
Eleanor didn’t know if lan would be alright with it, but she was certain that when it came to their daughter, he never put up a fight.
Evelyn named her new puppy “Princess.”
That evening, as the sun set in golden streaks, Eleanor sat with a cup of tea, watching her daughter and Princess tumble around the living room. For the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of peace and quiet contentment.
If only she were divorced, it would be perfect.
Later, lan came home. Evelyn ran to him, cradling Princess. “Daddy, look! I have a puppy now. Her name is Princess. Do you like her?”
lan crouched down, eyeing the puppy trembling in Evelyn’s arms. His expression softened. “Princess? You picked that name?”
“Yep! I picked it. Do you like it?”
“I do, lan said with a rare smile.
“Don’t be scared, Princess. My daddy’s not a bad man–he’s going to love you too,” Evelyn whispered, stroking the puppy’s head like a little grown–up.
Eleanor descended the stairs as lan slipped off his suit jacket. When she reached his side, he instinctively held the jacket out to her. For a moment, she froze, looking up at him. In the past, she would have taken it right away and told Joslyn to get it pressed immediately.
After a brief pause, lan withdrew his jacket, his eyes darkening as he tossed it carelessly onto the sofa before heading upstairs.
Eleanor stood where she was, the chill of his indifference lingering in the air. She walked over to her daughter and quietly asked Joslyn to take care of lan’s jacket.
At dinnertime, lan came down wearing comfortable clothes: a fine navy sweater and lounge pants, his dark hair falling over his forehead. He looked every bit the perfect husband–handsome, refined, and charming. If only he hadn’t cheated, she thought, he’d truly be the ideal man.
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