Chapter 401

Eleanor Sutton’s fingers hovered over the screen, uncertain, unable to bring herself to reply.

At last, she set her phone aside on the nightstand. The fatigue that had weighed on her just moments before had lifted, replaced by a restless clarity.

Her thoughts wandered to the mayor and his wife, to Mansfield’s grandmother Mildred, to the Secretary of State-they all cared deeply for Mansfield Ellington. They loved him and, in their own ways, wanted the best for his future.

They had always treated Eleanor with warmth and kindness.

And perhaps because they were such good people, Eleanor felt all the more determined to end things with Mansfield, swiftly and decisively.

She couldn’t afford to string him along.

If she was resolute in her decision never to marry, the last thing she wanted was to keep Mansfield Ellington from finding his own happiness, from meeting the right person.

So Eleanor decided she would not reply-not online, not anywhere. If they didn’t speak, if they didn’t see each other in daily life, the distance between them would only grow. Eventually, they would go their separate ways and find their own peace.

Eleanor turned and wrapped her arms around her daughter’s soft, warm little body, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair. With Evelyn in her arms, she finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, bright and early, Eleanor and Joy Thatcher were packing up to head back to the city. Joy pulled her car up to Eleanor’s house, glanced out the window, and exclaimed, “Wait a second-am I seeing things, or is that Mr. Ellington p>

Parked right in front of the house was a sleek black Range Rover, and leaning against the door, waiting, was Mansfield Ellington himself.

Eleanor’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected him to show up at her home. As she processed the sight, a black Mercedes pulled up across the street, drawing attention with its polished finish.

Joy caught sight of the license plate and turned to Eleanor. “Looks like your ex- husband decided to show up too p>

Eleanor watched as lan Goodwin’s car came to a stop just a few yards in front of Mansfield’s. She glanced at her daughter, still absorbed in her toys, then turned to Joy. “Joy, would you mind watching Evelyn for me p>

“No problem. I’ll take her to the mall for a bit,” Joy said, though her tone betrayed her curiosity-she was eager to witness the drama unfold. After all, a showdown between two men like this was a rare spectacle.

“Thank you,” Eleanor said sincerely. Then she knelt to her daughter’s level. “Evelyn, I need to run home for a bit. Why don’t you go to the mall with Miss Thatcher? I’ll come get you soon p>

The mention of the mall made Evelyn’s eyes light up. She nodded enthusiastically. “Okay, Mommy! See you soon p>

As soon as Eleanor stepped out of the car, Joy drove off with Evelyn in the backseat.

Eleanor took a deep breath and walked toward her front door.

Mansfield Ellington was the first to spot her. He’d already asked Joslyn about her, and after hearing that Eleanor was on her way home, he’d chosen to wait outside rather than accept Joslyn’s invitation to wait inside. Something in his bearing must have convinced Joslyn he was no threat.

From the driver’s seat of the Mercedes, lan watched Eleanor walk toward Mansfield in his rearview mirror.

Seeing her approach, Mansfield straightened and offered a gentle smile. “Good morning p>

It had been easy for Eleanor to steel herself and reject him over the phone, but with Mansfield standing right in front of her, she found herself wavering. She was only human, after all.

“How long have you been here?” she asked quietly.

“Not long,” he replied, his gaze softening with an earnest tenderness.

“I’m sorry about yesterday,” Mansfield said first, his voice sincere. “I didn’t know you’d taken your daughter on a trip p>