Chapter 739
That evening, Eleanor picked up her daughter and took her to dinner at the
Vesper Joy Hotel. The restaurant was bustling with families; several parents sat with their children, chatting and laughing over their meals. Evelyn took it all in with wide eyes. When Eleanor stepped aside to answer a phone call, Evelyn seized the moment. She slipped her smartwatch off her wrist and dialed her father’s number.
“Hello? Evelyn?” lan’s voice came through, warm and familiar.
“Daddy, can you come have dinner with me and Mom?” Evelyn asked in a soft whisper, glancing around as if she were sharing a secret.
“Where are you p>
“We’re eating at Mom’s hotel restaurant p>
“All right, I’ll be there soon,” lan replied with a low chuckle.
Eleanor returned to the table just as Evelyn shot her a mischievous grin. “You’re back, Mom p>
Eleanor eyed her daughter’s impish expression. “What’s going on p>
“Nothing!” Evelyn pressed her lips together, feigning innocence.
The restaurant was especially busy tonight, and Eleanor and Evelyn waited for their food as minutes passed. Suddenly, after about fifteen minutes, Evelyn slid off her chair, her face lighting up as she darted toward the entrance.
“Evelyn!” Eleanor called, startled by her daughter’s sudden burst of energy. That’s when she saw lan standing in the doorway, tall and unmistakable.
In that instant, everything clicked-Eleanor realized what her daughter’s sly smile had meant earlier, and why she’d insisted on wearing her smartwatch before they left the house. She’d planned this all along.
Eleanor’s chest tightened, her annoyance plain in her eyes.
“Mom, Daddy hasn’t eaten yet. Can we invite him to eat with us?” Evelyn asked, tugging lan over to the table, her head tilted in hopeful expectation.
Eleanor looked down at her daughter’s pleading face and gave a reluctant nod. The restaurant was crowded; she couldn’t bear to embarrass Evelyn in front of so many people.
lan sat down beside Evelyn, took her little hand in his, and flagged down a waiter to add another dish to their order.
“Daddy, Mr. Vaughn gave me the same present too!” Evelyn announced, beaming. lan raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Really? Exactly the same p>
“Uh-huh! Just the same.” Evelyn nodded enthusiastically.
A thought struck lan. He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, sliding it across the table to Eleanor. “This is for you p>
Yesterday had been Christmas Eve-today was Christmas Day itself.
Eleanor glanced at the box, her tone cool. “I don’t need it, thank you p>
Evelyn, ever curious, snatched up the box and popped it open. “Wow-a brooch p>
She held it up for her mother to see. “Look, Mom, it’s really sparkly p>
Eleanor gave it a cursory glance, if only for her daughter’s sake.
“Evelyn, give the gift back to Daddy.” Eleanor’s voice was gentle but firm. “Mom doesn’t need it p>
Evelyn’s face fell. “But Mom p>
“Sweetheart, it’s all right.” Eleanor closed the velvet box and pushed it back toward lan. “Thank you for the thought, but you should keep it p>
lan’s brow furrowed. “You don’t like it p>
“It’s not about liking it or not,” Eleanor replied, meeting his gaze with an icy glint in her eyes. “It’s just not necessary p>
Evelyn blinked, sensing her mother’s resolve. She nudged the gift back to lan. “Daddy, Mom doesn’t want your present. You should take it back p>
lan stared at his daughter for a moment, a little stunned. He ruffled her hair with a soft sigh. “All right p>
He slipped the velvet box back into his pocket just as their steaks arrived. Evelyn tugged on his sleeve. “Daddy, will you cut my steak for me? I want you to feed me p>
lan nodded and picked up his knife and fork, cutting her steak into neat, bite-sized pieces with practiced ease.
Eleanor focused on her own plate, carefully slicing her steak. Outside the window, the Christmas tree glittered with twinkling lights, the festive spirit filling every corner of the room.
In the far corner, three girls sat together, glancing over at Eleanor’s table every so often. One of them discreetly snapped a photo on her phone and sent it off to a friend.
That friend was Serena-their mutual acquaintance.
Running into her brother and his ex-wife spending Christmas together with their daughter in a fancy restaurant? Now, that was something worth sharing.