Chapter 39
But the old lady insisted on giving her the gift. If Eleanor refused again, she’d only upset her, so she accepted it for now, deciding she’d return it after the divorce.
After the New Year’s Eve dinner, Serena went out to meet friends. Gina settled in with Evelyn to watch a movie, and lan sat nearby, scrolling through his phone. Eleanor came downstairs, her mind turning over ways she might take her daughter home.
“Evelyn will sleep here tonight,” Gina announced, holding her granddaughter close. “You two can head home p>
Eleanor hesitated when she realized her mother-in-law meant for Evelyn to spend the night. She looked at lan. She hadn’t driven over, so if he wasn’t leaving, she’d have to catch a cab.
“Evelyn, are you sure you don’t want to come home with Mom and Dad?” lan asked their daughter.
“I want to stay with Grandma tonight,” Evelyn replied, her little head nodding.
Eleanor noticed lan picking up his car keys. She leaned down to Evelyn. “Be good, sweetheart. I’ll come see you tomorrow p>
“Bye-bye, Mommy and Daddy!” Evelyn chirped, her mouth still full of fruit.
Eleanor waved to her daughter and walked toward the foyer.
The bitter night air made her wrap her arms tighter around herself as she hurried
to lan’s car and slid into the passenger seat.
lan started the engine, glancing over at her. “It’s still early. Come with me somewhere p>
Eleanor paused. “I’m a little tired. Can we not p>
“Does it always have to be this way?” lan suddenly asked, turning to her.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then abruptly pushed open the car door. “I’ll get a cab home p>
She shut the door and stepped into the biting wind, heading for the gate. Just two hundred yards ahead was the main road.
Eleanor hugged herself, her slim figure almost a wisp against the gusts, dark hair whipping across her face. Still, there was no hesitation in her stride.
Behind her, lan’s Rolls-Royce roared off, disappearing around the corner.
Eleanor flagged down a taxi and went home.
Back at the house, it was only her and Princess, her dog, but for once, she felt completely at ease.
New Year’s Day.
Ashford City was alive with celebration. The streets were packed, every landmark overflowing with people, both online and off buzzing with New Year’s cheer.
At noon, Eleanor gracefully declined her mother-in-law’s invitation to lunch. Instead, she cooked herself a simple bowl of pasta at home.
At six in the evening, Serena called.
“Hey, Eleanor! We’re all having dinner out tonight-come join us p>
“Sure, where?” Eleanor asked.
“I’ll text you the address.” Serena sent over the details.
Eleanor saw it was a private room at a seven-star hotel downtown. She slipped into a chic jacket and jeans, anticipating heavy traffic and tricky parking, so she hailed a cab instead.
By the time she reached the hotel, it was already seven. Eleanor crossed the grand lobby and took the elevator to the sixth floor.
When the doors slid open, she checked her directions, then headed left down a lavish corridor. Behind an ornate set of double doors, she passed a beautifully decorated hallway lined with a shimmering pool.
Just as Eleanor reached the private dining room, she spotted Serena outside, talking on the phone. The moment she saw Eleanor, she hung up and came over with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You made it p>
Serena pushed open the door to the private room.
Eleanor froze in place.