Ian’s pupils contracted sharply, and for a few seconds, Eleanor’s hatred was written plain as day across her face.
He drew a deep breath and stepped back toward the door. “I brought a gift for Evelyn. Would you mind giving it to her for me?”
With that, Ian cast a final glance toward the sofa, where Joel was playing with their daughter. He allowed himself one last look at Eleanor, pressed his lips together, and turned to leave.
Eleanor went back to the sofa. Joel looked up, concern etched in his features. “Are you alright?”
She shook her head with a small, reassuring smile. “I’m fine.”
Joel took the notebook she handed him and began flipping through its pages. The meticulousness of Elliot Sutton’s medical research filled him with respect; every set of data was recorded with painstaking precision.
“Looks like your dad started researching leukemia six years ago. I don’t remember him ever mentioning an interest in that field before,” Joel said as he skimmed the entries.
Eleanor nodded. “Yeah. Six years ago, he changed his focus all of a sudden.”
“Did something happen? Was there a reason?” Joel asked, curiosity piqued.
Eleanor thought for a moment, then shook her head. “I honestly don’t know. He never talked about it with me.”
Joel continued leafing through Elliot’s notebook when Evelyn wandered over, clutching her plush bunny. “Mom, are you talking about Grandpa?”
Eleanor pulled her daughter into her lap. “We are. Grandpa used to be a brilliant scientist.”
“I know!” Evelyn declared proudly, tipping her chin up. “Last time Dad took me to the university, I saw Grandpa’s picture on the wall.”


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