Chapter 318
“Grandma, it’s almost time. Let’s head to the restaurant,” Mansfield Ellington said, glancing at his watch.
Mildred nodded. “All right! No sense in letting ourselves get hungry. Come on, let’s go p>
Mansfield had made a reservation at an upscale restaurant. Mildred didn’t get out much these days, but she’d raised two accomplished sons and had seen her fair share of sophisticated occasions.
The restaurant was perched atop a downtown skyscraper, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering a sweeping view of the city below.
Mansfield chose a table by the window, and they settled in.
Eleanor was listening as Mildred recounted stories of how times had changed. Suddenly, Eleanor felt a sharp gaze fixed on her. She looked up instinctively- across a few tables, her eyes met lan’s, his dark gaze unreadable.
lan was impeccably dressed, dining with several businessmen. His expression was severe and distant.
Their eyes locked for a brief moment, but Eleanor didn’t let her face show any change-Mildred was engaged in cheerful conversation with her, and she didn’t want to spoil the mood.
Eleanor turned her attention back to the table.
Mansfield, always observant, noticed the flicker in her demeanor. He followed her line of sight and caught lan’s eyes across the room.
The two men exchanged a brief, polite nod—a silent acknowledgment between people of status.
When the drinks and food arrived, Mansfield discretely shifted in his seat, positioning himself between Eleanor and lan’s line of sight.
Eleanor didn’t notice his subtle gesture, but lan certainly did.
Soon, the main courses arrived. Eleanor and Mildred chatted, while Mansfield mostly listened, attentive and quiet. He kept an eye on his grandmother’s plate, making sure she had everything she liked. For Eleanor, he was more reserved- he watched to see what she enjoyed and gently slid those dishes closer to her.
Halfway through the meal, Eleanor excused herself to the ladies’ room. As she stepped out, she found lan leaning casually against the hallway wall.
“So, you’re at the ‘meet the family’ stage already?” lan’s tone was cool, almost indifferent.
Eleanor didn’t bother with a reply. She tried to walk past him.
lan’s voice, flat and emotionless, stopped her. “Do you really think Evelyn is ready to start calling another man ‘dad p>
The words hit Eleanor where she was most vulnerable. Her daughter was her weakness; she felt her breath catch.
“Why don’t you worry about yourself?” she shot back, hoping to keep walking. But lan’s arm moved out, blocking her path.
She nearly bumped into him, instinctively taking a step back. Finally, she looked him in the eye.
“What do you want from me p>
lan’s gaze was intense. “Do you even know what kind of family Mansfield Ellington comes from? His father’s the Secretary of State, his uncle’s the mayor. Do you really think a family like that would ever truly accept a divorced woman with a child? Think it through, Eleanor p>
Eleanor let out a cold laugh. “At least they know how to treat me with respect. That’s more than I can say for someone who harasses his ex-wife in public p>
lan withdrew his arm, his face tight.
The hallway light spilled over him, throwing shadow into his deep-set eyes.
“Eleanor,” he said, straightening his cufflinks, his voice measured and slow, “I’m only trying to look out for you. That’s all p>
With that, he turned and walked away.
Eleanor let out a shaky breath. Her good mood had taken a hit, thanks to him. When she returned to the table, Mansfield leaned over and asked quietly, “Are you all right p>
He’d seen lan head down the hallway earlier.
“I’m fine,” Eleanor replied with a lifted brow and a smile. From the corner of her eye, she saw lan back at his business dinner, raising his glass and chatting with clients, as if the tense encounter had never happened.
“Try this,” Mansfield said, sliding a delicate slice of tiramisu in front of her. “This place is famous for it. I remember you loved it last time we were in Kingston p>
Eleanor felt a gentle warmth in her chest. Six years of marriage to lan, and he’d never once remembered her favorite dessert. Mansfield, on the other hand, had caught on after just one meal together.
“Thank you,” she said softly, taking a bite. The cake was light and sweet, melting on her tongue.
When she glanced up, she caught Mansfield watching her lips, his gaze lingering a moment too long, a faint blush creeping up his ears.
Mildred suddenly jumped in. “Mansfield was always like this as a boy-he had a crush on the girl in the next class but never dared say a word. Every day p>
“Grandma!” Mansfield nearly knocked over his water glass. “That was elementary school! Do you have to remember everything p>
He shot Eleanor a nervous look, worried she’d find his childhood stories embarrassing.
Eleanor couldn’t help but laugh. “I was the same way at that age. We were all innocent back then p>
Across the room, lan set down his wine glass, his gaze drifting toward their table. A little later, Mansfield excused himself to use the restroom.
“Eleanor, dear,” Mildred said, suddenly taking Eleanor’s hand in her own wrinkled but surprisingly strong grip. “My grandson is a wonderful young man. The way he looks at you—it’s just like his grandfather looked at me all those years ago.” Eleanor was caught off guard-she hadn’t realized Mildred had noticed. But she- “Grandma, if I’m being honest, I’ve only been divorced for half a year. I have a daughter to care for. I’m not really thinking about anything else right now.” Eleanor spoke from the heart.
Mildred smiled gently. “My younger daughter-in-law told me all about it. There’s no rush, sweetheart. Take your time. You’re a wonderful woman. If someone else couldn’t see that, I know Mansfield does p>