Joel offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll find a chance to talk to him for you. I won't let him judge you unfairly."
Eleanor shook her head. "Joel, there's no need. What he thinks of me doesn't matter."
"Next week is the day you'll be accepting your award at the National Academy of Sciences. I'll go with you," Joel said.
"Alright. I was planning on bringing my daughter along, so I'd appreciate it if you could help me keep an eye on her," Eleanor replied.
"Of course, I'd be happy to watch her," Joel said warmly.
Three days later, the results from Joel's experiment came in. He found Eleanor, report in hand, concern etched into his features. "The results are out."
Eleanor was quick to ask, "What's the verdict? Is there a match?"
Joel nodded. "It's a complete match."
Eleanor's face lost a shade of color. She couldn't help but wonder if Ian had already tested for compatibility without telling her.
"I'll keep searching for suitable donor samples," Joel said, unwilling to give up. "If we find another match, you can still talk to Mr. Goodwin about it."
"Thank you, Joel," Eleanor said gratefully.
Two days before their departure, Eleanor arranged for her daughter's absence from school. When Evelyn heard she'd be going on a trip to Kingston with her mother, she was over the moon.
Eleanor had already packed their suitcases. Their flight was at three in the afternoon—she was almost ready to leave.
Downstairs, Princess, their golden retriever, barked with excitement. Moments later, Eleanor heard her daughter's delighted voice. "Daddy! Daddy, you're home!"
Eleanor froze in the middle of packing, the calm she'd felt moments earlier vanishing in a flash of anger. Ian was finally back.


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