Chapter 1270

Eleanor’s expression remained calm. Just then, her phone rang. It was Ryan. She turned to the old woman. “Grandma, I need to take this call p>

She answered and walked a short distance away.

lan approached his grandmother, who looked up and shot him a glare. “You heard what Ellie just said, didn’t you p>

lan nodded.

Magdalen glared at him, vexed. “You never should have hidden it from her. You kept our entire family in the dark and let Vanessa walk all over Ellie p>

lan’s eyes followed Eleanor’s retreating figure. “I was wrong,” he said in a low voice. “What good is knowing that now?” His grandmother was both angry and heartbroken. “Ellie has completely given up on you p>

After saying this, she expected some kind of response from her grandson, but he fell silent again, his gaze heavy as he watched Eleanor on the phone.

Furious, she slapped him on the back. “When are you going to change this habit of bottling everything up? What did Ellie ever see in you p>

With that, she gave up on him and headed back toward the living room. After a few steps, she glanced back at the young couple and sighed. Magdalen knew perfectly well that her grandson’s heart was still with Eleanor. She just wondered if she would live to see the day they found their way back to each other.

lan stood frozen in place. Of course he knew what his grandmother wanted to hear. But even if he said it, it was too late. Eleanor had found her own happiness. The only thing he could do now was let her go.

When Eleanor hung up, she saw that Magdalen had left, but lan was still standing there, watching her with a complicated expression.

She walked back down the path, and as she passed him, she said casually, “I’m heading inside p>

“Eleanor,” lan said suddenly.

She turned back, meeting his eyes, assuming he had something to say.

“Mansfield is a man you can count on,” lan’s voice was low and steady. “I wish you both happiness p>

Eleanor frowned. Although she and

elne

Mansfield were just friends, she

didn’t feel the need to explain

anything to him. It was her

life. She simply nodded. “Thank you p>

lan watched her accept his blessing so readily, and a sharp pain lanced through his chest. He managed to force a smile. “Then I’ll be waiting for the wedding invitation p>

Just then, Eleanor heard her daughter calling for her. Without another word, she hurried toward the living room.

lan watched until Eleanor’s back disappeared through the doorway. He pressed a hand to his chest, a dull, airless ache sitting there like a weight.

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He pulled a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket. The tip flared red in the twilight, then dimmed, over and over. He was supposed to be relaxing with his family, but at that moment, his eyes were filled with exhaustion. He took two deep drags and once the discomfort in his chest subsided, he stubbed the cigarette out. Straightening up, he walked toward the living room.

He couldn’t go in smelling strongly of smoke; he didn’t want his daughter breathing it

in when she got close.

Dinner was already on the table, dish

after dish crowding the space until

there was barely any room left Magdalen waved everyone over, making sure the chair next

Eleanor stayed empty for Jan.

“Dad, hurry up, we’re starting without you!” Evelyn called, then jabbed a finger at the platter. “Mom, I want that huge drumstick p>

Eleanor laughed at the way her daughter zeroed in on the food and reached over to snag it for her. Evelyn grabbed it with both hands and bit in, blissfully happy.

“Ellie, have some more,” Magdalen said. “You’ve gotten too thin lately p>