Chapter 701
After Gavin Young left, Xavier Vaughn took his seat.
“Eleanor Sutton? Are you alright?” Xavier’s gentle voice snapped Eleanor back from her thoughts.
She nodded. “I’m fine p>
“Mom, when is Dad coming back?” Evelyn Goodwin asked, her mouth half-full of bread.
Eleanor smiled, smoothing her daughter’s soft hair. “Your dad’s busy with work, sweetheart. It might be a while before you see him-maybe not until we’re back home p>
Evelyn seemed content enough, especially with Vivian to play with, and wasn’t quite so fixated on lan Goodwin these days. She nodded, accepting her mother’s words.
While Xavier placed their order, Eleanor finally checked her phone-she hadn’t looked at it since waking up. A notification caught her eye: Ian had sent her a message in the early hours of the morning.
*Sorry, I had to fly home for work. Gavin will stay and help with anything you need p>
Eleanor glanced at the timestamp. Just past midnight.
“Eleanor, would you rather stay here and keep skiing, or try something different?” Xavier’s question pulled her attention back to the present.
“Do you have any suggestions?” she asked.
“How about we check out Fairytale Meadows? The kids would love it p>
“Sounds good,” Eleanor agreed. She wasn’t much of a skier, and with lan gone, there was no one left to hit the slopes with Evelyn. A change of scenery sounded perfect.
Xavier had already noticed that Vivian wasn’t particularly keen on skiing, either.
A flash of relief crossed his face. “Great, I’ll arrange for a car. We can leave by noon p>
This time, Eleanor decided not to trouble Gavin with the arrangements.
After lunch, the adults and kids returned to pack up their things. Right on time at ten-thirty, three black SUVS pulled up at the entrance. Xavier’s security detail was ready. They helped Eleanor and her daughter into the car.
Once on the road, Eleanor called Gavin.
“Miss Sutton, you’re leaving?” Gavin’s surprise was evident.
“Yes. Thank you for everything these past few days, Gavin. We can take it from here p>
“But-but Mr. Goodwin asked me to look after you and Evelyn. Where are you headed next? I’ll come right over,” Gavin stammered, clearly anxious.
“No need. If lan wants to check in, he can come talk to me himself,” Eleanor replied, then ended the call.
Standing in the snow, Gavin stared at his phone, sweat breaking out on his brow despite the cold. He hurriedly dialed lan’s number back home.
“What is it?” lan answered promptly.
“Mr. Goodwin, Miss Sutton and Evelyn left with Mr. Vaughn. I don’t know where they went,” Gavin reported quickly.
There was a brief pause. “When did they leave p>
“I got Eleanor’s call just after ten this morning p>
“Head back to the city and wait for my instructions,” lan said, then hung up.
Later, as the car sped along, Eleanor cradled Evelyn and gazed out at the passing landscape. Her phone buzzed with a message from lan.
*Where are you planning to take Evelyn next p>
Eleanor simply turned off her phone, not planning to reply.
Up front, Xavier’s phone chimed. It was lan.
*Xavier, where are you all headed next p>
*Sorry, lan. Eleanor asked me not to share our plans,* Xavier typed back. Then, after a moment, he added, *Don’t worry-I’ll make sure Eleanor and Evelyn are safe and having a good time p>
A few minutes later, lan replied, *Thanks for your help, Xavier p>
A complicated look flickered in Xavier’s eyes. Eleanor hadn’t explicitly told him to keep their plans secret, but he decided to do so—if only to let her enjoy the trip in peace.
Meanwhile, another message came through on Eleanor’s phone.
*Have fun. See you when you get back p>
That afternoon, they arrived at Fairytale Meadows. After checking in, the kids were beside themselves with excitement.
The next three days passed in a blissful blur. Eleanor and Xavier took the girls to visit local attractions, always keeping their focus on the children. When they tired, everyone would rest-a moment for the grown-ups to sip coffee and chat while the girls shared cake and sweets nearby.
Eleanor felt lighter than she had in ages. Xavier seemed to share her mood, doing his best to maintain the relaxed, cheerful atmosphere.
He also took every opportunity to snap photos of the children—and often made sure to include Eleanor in the frame. Her gentle smile, caught in the camera’s lens, was like a patch of sunlight in the middle of winter.
One afternoon, as they sat in a cozy café, Eleanor helped the girls pick out some charming little toys. Xavier snapped a photo: Vivian and Evelyn walking ahead, Eleanor trailing behind. She glanced up and met his gaze through the lens, offering him a bright, easy smile.
He pressed the shutter, freezing the moment. It looked, in that instant, as if Eleanor were his wife, caring for the two children and heading toward him with that warm smile.
After a moment’s hesitation, Xavier opened an old social media app he hadn’t used in ages. He uploaded a few photos-scenery, children, sunlight, and that candid shot of Eleanor.
He typed a simple caption: *For this moment, all is calm and right with the world p>
When he hit send, his heart thumped a little faster. He knew he was quietly broadcasting his feelings for Eleanor to the world, even if it was just a hint.
It was a secret, unspoken affection, but in that moment he wished everyone could
see.
Back at the hotel, Xavier stretched out on the sofa and checked his phone-likes and comments were already rolling in.
*Where is this, Mr. Vaughn? The scenery looks amazing p>
*Those kids are adorable, and the lady next to you is beautiful too p>
*Mr. Vaughn, when will you introduce us p>
All messages from friends, and Xavier smiled faintly, though beneath the smile was a bittersweet ache.
A moment later, he deleted the post.
He wanted to hold on to the joy of these stolen moments with Eleanor, to savor
the reality instead of the fantasy. Tomorrow, they’d be heading home.
He knew that to Eleanor, he was just a friend these past couple of days had made that clear. And so he didn’t let himself hope for more.