But Eleanor had no intention of feeling sorry for Ian Goodwin. He was getting exactly what he deserved.
"Grandma, some of the medical equipment overseas is more advanced," Eleanor said, trying to comfort her. "It would be good to get checked out, just for peace of mind."
"I suppose you're right, but all that travel is just so exhausting. I've grown to dread flying," the old woman sighed, her gaze softening as she watched Evelyn playing happily nearby. A fond smile touched her lips. "Just look at Evelyn. You've raised her so well. She's glowing with health, with such rosy cheeks."
Eleanor watched her daughter too, her heart filled with a simple wish: for Evelyn to be healthy and happy her entire life.
"Mommy, can I go play upstairs?" Evelyn asked, a little hesitant. After knocking over her father's files last time, she worried her mother might say no.
Eleanor reached into her purse and pulled out the file. "Come on," she said gently. "Mommy will go up with you."
She took her daughter's hand and led her upstairs to Ian's study, where she slipped the medical file back into the stack of documents on his desk.
Evelyn was skipping happily down the hall when a door was suddenly thrown open. "Who's out there?" an irritable voice snapped. "Can you stop making so much noise this early?"
Startled, Evelyn spun around to see Serena Goodwin standing in the doorway, rubbing her temples. It was clear she'd just been woken up.
"Auntie Serena!" Evelyn cried, running over to her.
The anger on Serena's face softened when she saw the little girl, melting into a weary smile. "Oh, it's you, Evelyn. When did you get here?"
"I've been here for a while! Are you still sleeping, Auntie?" Evelyn asked, tilting her head back to look up at her.
"I didn't sleep well, I was just about to—" Serena began, but then she looked up and saw Eleanor approaching. The warmth she'd shown Evelyn vanished instantly, replaced by an undisguised, icy impatience.
"What are you doing here?" Her tone was an accusation, as if Eleanor were a trespasser.


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