Chapter 639

lan stared at the photo for several seconds. He remembered that Wednesday, when he’d asked Eleanor if she’d be joining the parent-child outing. She’d been clear-she wasn’t going.

So why was she there now, with their daughter?

Was she trying to keep him from going so she could have some alone time with Xavier?

Everyone in the meeting room noticed their boss glaring at his phone, a stormy tension radiating from him. No one dared to break the silence.

lan finished the meeting, barely paying attention, and headed back to his office. He picked up his phone and shot a message to Eleanor: “Didn’t you say you weren’t taking Evelyn? Why didn’t you let me know p>

At that moment, Eleanor was climbing out of Xavier’s car, cradling a sleeping Evelyn in her arms. She heard her phone buzz, but exhaustion left her with no energy to check it.

Joslyn took Evelyn gently and carried her upstairs to bed. Eleanor slumped onto the living room couch, grabbing a moment’s rest.

She was just about to drift off when her phone rang again. Glancing at the screen and seeing lan’s name, she let out an irritated sigh and answered, her tone sharp. “What is it p>

Her coldness hung in the air for a few seconds before lan’s voice came through. “You took Evelyn to the parent-child event today p>

“That’s right. What about it?” Her voice was even frostier.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” lan’s voice was low, tightly controlled. “I could have gone with her p>

“That wasn’t necessary,” Eleanor shot back, obvious annoyance in her tone.

“Is Evelyn there? I want to talk to her p>

“She’s asleep. Don’t wake her.” With that, Eleanor hung up.

In his office, lan stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the city lights. His chest tightened with a wild, restless ache, like something caged was about to break free.

But deep down, he knew he had no right to be angry anymore.

Still, he found himself sitting on the couch, scrolling slowly through his phone to look at pictures of his daughter. A few of them had caught Eleanor and Xavier together, mostly candid shots.

In every one, Xavier’s gaze seemed to follow Eleanor, his eyes soft with affection, unable to hide how he felt.

In the group photo, Xavier stood just behind Eleanor, so close their shoulders nearly touched. He leaned in slightly, a gentle smile on his lips.

lan zoomed in on Eleanor’s face. She looked happy, relaxed, radiant in a way that took his breath away.

Suddenly, he locked his phone and strode to the window, frustration swirling around him like a storm.

The next morning, Eleanor was still at the table with Evelyn, who was finishing breakfast. Under the table, Princess, their golden retriever, suddenly perked up, tail wagging as she barked excitedly toward the front yard.

“Daddy’s here! That must be Daddy!” Evelyn jumped down from her chair, Princess bounding after her toward the gate. Eleanor followed as Evelyn unlocked the front door. Ian stood outside, dressed in a sharp black coat.

“Daddy!” Evelyn squealed, wrapping her arms around his long legs. “Why didn’t you come yesterday? Do you know where Mom and I went p>

lan crouched to pick her up. “I know-you went to Forest Park p>

“That’s right! We even caught some little fish! Mr. Vaughn and Vivian were there too!” Evelyn beamed.

lan carried her into the living room. Eleanor was by the dining table. She barely glanced at him, then turned and headed upstairs without a word.

By now, lan was used to her coldness. He held Evelyn close. “Did you finish your breakfast p>

“Uh-huh! Want to feel my tummy? It’s all full!” Evelyn took his big hand and pressed it to her little belly.

He laughed, full of affection. “Mmm, it does feel a little round p>

“Daddy, can I go to Grandma’s today?” Evelyn asked hopefully.

lan nodded. “Of course you can p>

“I’ll go tell Mommy!” With that, she ran upstairs.

Eleanor didn’t object when she heard Evelyn wanted to spend the day with the Goodwin family. She knew her daughter needed time with family.

“I’ll pick you up tonight,” Eleanor reminded her.

“Mommy, can I sleep over at Grandma’s? She can take me to school tomorrow!” Evelyn pleaded.

Eleanor gave in with a nod. “Alright, but you have to behave, okay p>

“I will!” Evelyn promised, eyes shining.

A few minutes later, Eleanor heard the car in the driveway as lan drove off with Evelyn.

Upstairs, Joslyn was hanging laundry on the top floor terrace. As she was tidying up some branches near the wall, she suddenly noticed something alarming-a long, deep crack had formed in the outer wall. Her heart skipped a beat. After all, it had rained for weeks this winter, and the old townhouse, despite its upkeep, was bound to show its age sooner or later.

Joslyn quickly went to tell Eleanor. Shocked, Eleanor followed her up to the terrace. Even without a professional inspection, it was clear-there was no way they could keep living here.