Chapter 28
Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up to see lan’s tall, composed figure following right behind her daughter.
Relief barely had time to settle before two more people stepped out from the crowd-Serena, her sister-in-law, arm-in-arm with the ever-elegant Vanessa. The two women laughed and chatted intimately as they trailed after the group.
Eleanor’s breath caught in her chest.
Just then, an arm slipped around her. Joy gave her a sympathetic look. “Ellie, let’s go eat somewhere else, all right p>
Eleanor clenched her fists. The urge to file for divorce surged with startling force. If she could just get custody of her daughter, she’d never let anyone from the Goodwin family-least of all Vanessa-spend time with her child.
“Come on, Ellie! There’s a nice place right across the street,” Joy urged,
determined to shield her from more hurt. She took Eleanor’s hand and led her to a cozy restaurant opposite.
Inside, Joy watched her with concern. “Ellie, was that Vanessa on lan’s arm just now? That’s his sister with her, right p>
Eleanor nodded. “Yeah p>
“Honestly, Vanessa knows how to play her cards. She didn’t just steal lan away— she’s got the whole Goodwin family wrapped around her finger p>
Eleanor remembered the way her mother-in-law had spoken to Vanessa at dinner the other night. It was clear: to the Goodwins, Vanessa was already practically family.
“Ellie, you need to brace yourself. Men who cheat during marriage rarely show an ounce of mercy. If it comes down to divorce, lan’s going to fight you for every last thing,” Joy warned gently.
No one knew lan better than Eleanor did. With the way he’d been treating her lately, she knew that after a divorce, he’d turn cold and ruthless.
Trying to change the subject, Eleanor mentioned she’d joined Dr. Lyman’s research team. Joy’s face lit up. “That’s amazing! It just proves how capable you are. But don’t rush into a divorce. Don’t back lan into a corner-if he files first, you’ll lose the upper hand p>
Joy squeezed her hand, her voice low and serious. “Ellie, you have to quietly make yourself stronger. And you need hard evidence p>
She was right. Eleanor needed to start collecting proof of lan’s affair.
Joy scrolled through her phone and handed Eleanor a number. “This is a private investigator I know-he’s good at what he does. Maybe he can help you p>
Eleanor saved the number. She had a feeling she’d need it soon.
Around nine that evening, she heard her daughter’s cheerful voice from outside. lan opened the door, and Evelyn burst in, clutching a new stuffed animal. “Yay! I’m the first one home. Daddy lost p>
Eleanor forced herself to smile and went to greet her daughter. “Did you have fun tonight p>
“It was great! I wish you’d been there, Mom. There was this really pretty cake-I wanted to bring some home for you, but it fell on the floor,” Evelyn said, her face falling in disappointment.
Eleanor wrapped her into a hug. “It’s the thought that counts. You made me so happy just by thinking of me. Next time, let’s bake a cake together, just us p>
At that moment, Princess, their golden retriever, came bounding over, tail wagging. Evelyn scooped up her stuffed animal. “Come on, Princess, let’s go play upstairs p>
Eleanor watched her daughter disappear up the stairs. Before she could turn away, lan’s voice came from behind. “Why did you go to Ashford Medical University today p>
She answered coolly, “Just visiting p>
Without another word, she headed upstairs to join Evelyn. A few minutes later,
she heard lan’s car pull out of the driveway.
After half an hour of playing, Eleanor coaxed her daughter into the bath. As Evelyn headed to the bathroom, she was still mumbling, “If only that cake hadn’t fallen. It was so yummy p>