Chapter 63
Evening settled over the city.
Eleanor was curled up on the couch with her daughter, watching television, when the front door swung open around seven. Ian strode in, the weight of the day still clinging to his shoulders.
“Daddy! Daddy!” Evelyn squealed, racing across the living room and nearly tackling his leg in a tight embrace.
“Hey, sweetheart.” lan crouched down, pulling his daughter into his arms as if he hadn’t seen her in ages. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, lingering for a moment.
“Daddy, why were you gone so long? I missed you so much,” Evelyn pouted, her little lips pushed out in mock complaint.
“I had some important things to take care of,” lan replied, ruffling her hair and stealing another kiss.
“Daddy, you’ve been away forever. You should hug Mommy too!” Evelyn announced, eyes bright with the certainty of her idea.
She was sure her mother missed her father just as much as she did. If Daddy hugged Mommy, she thought, Mommy would definitely be happy.
Eleanor, catching her daughter’s suggestion, sprang up from the sofa. “Evelyn, let me get you some fruit,” she offered, her voice just a touch too brisk.
lan’s gaze cooled at Eleanor’s quick retreat, a shadow flickering across his face.
Eleanor busied herself in the kitchen, slicing fruit and listening as Evelyn peppered lan with questions about gifts and souvenirs. When she brought the fruit out, Evelyn was still clinging to her father, insisting he must have brought her something from his trip. Eleanor slipped quietly upstairs, unnoticed.
Lately, her attention had been consumed by news from around the world about the RT303 virus. The research from her lab had just been published in a leading international journal—a small victory, but she felt little satisfaction.
At ten, Eleanor knocked gently on lan’s door. Evelyn was still wide awake, playing with her father. “Evelyn, time for bed,” Eleanor called softly.
“Mommy, can’t we sleep with Daddy tonight?” Evelyn pleaded.
“Daddy just got home from his trip, honey. He’s probably exhausted. Let’s let him rest, okay?” Eleanor reasoned.
Evelyn was more understanding these days. After a moment’s pause, she nodded. “Okay, Mommy p>
Eleanor took her daughter’s hand and led her away, leaving lan alone in the room. As the door clicked shut, a trace of frustration flickered in lan’s eyes, his entire demeanor radiating a cold intensity.
On her way back to her bedroom, Eleanor’s gaze fell on the dent in the wall next to her door-a fist-shaped impression, stark and unyielding. It was a silent reminder of how dangerous this marriage could be, and just how ruthless lan was when pushed.
Friday arrived in the blink of an eye. At three in the afternoon, Eleanor received a message from lan: his mother would be picking Evelyn up from school and taking her to Goodwin Manor for dinner.
It had been almost two weeks since Evelyn last visited her grandmother. Eleanor figured it was good for the old woman to have some time with her granddaughter.
She messaged Evelyn’s teacher to let her know about the change in pickup plans. At four, her phone buzzed with a call from Jude Vaughn. “I’ve got somewhere to take you tonight,” he said, amusement lacing his voice.
Eleanor asked where they were going. Jude only chuckled mysteriously, refusing to give anything away.
With Evelyn spending the evening at her grandmother’s, Eleanor suddenly found herself with a free night.
At five-thirty, she slid into Jude’s car. “Ellie, let’s grab dinner first,” he suggested. “We’ll head over around seven-thirty p>
They ate at a chic bistro in a bustling shopping center, talking shop as laughter and lively conversation filled the air around them. Time slipped away, and before Eleanor realized it, they were pulling into the parking lot of a hotel just as the sky deepened into dusk.
Jude stepped out and gave her a once-over, a mischievous glint in his eye. Eleanor grinned. “Come on, Jude, just tell me who am I about to meet p>
“You’ll see soon enough,” he teased, refusing to drop the act.
She shook her head, amused but trusting him. Jude wouldn’t lead her astray, so she followed him through the hotel’s grand lobby.
They rode the elevator to the sixth floor, stopping in front of the doors to a grand ballroom. Jude handed over an invitation at the entrance.
Eleanor’s jaw dropped in surprise—he’d brought her to a formal event?