Chapter 33

"He's just so irresistible. Everything he does draws me in—I can't help but pay attention to him. I sneak onto his blog every day, hoping to catch a glimpse of his life, and I even time my gym visits just to bump into him. You have no idea how handsome he looks in a suit! I'm completely smitten, but I'm too scared to tell him how I feel. What should I do?"

Serena clutched her chest, looking every bit the lovestruck girl lost in a daydream.

"Xavier really is charming, but you don't have to worry, Serena. He'll like you, I'm sure of it," Vanessa reassured her gently.

"Do you really think so? You really think he could like me?" For all her usual confidence, Serena couldn't help but feel insecure in front of the man she liked.

Falling for her brother's closest friend made her feel shy and exposed.

Vanessa gave her an appraising look and smiled. "You're gorgeous, Serena. What man wouldn't notice you? Honestly, he's probably already paying attention."

Serena lit up under the praise and hooked her arm around Vanessa's. "What about you? When are you going to tell my brother how you feel?"

Vanessa's smile turned bittersweet. She sighed, "Your brother and I... we'll only ever be friends in this life." Original content can be found at ⓝovelFind.net

Serena grew anxious. "Don't worry, my brother really likes you." Then, almost indignantly, she added, "It's not like he asked her to take care of him back then, and afterward she even used hospital records to play the sympathy card. She totally took advantage of the situation! My brother was just too young and naive to see through her, and honestly, her background doesn't even compare to my brother's."

Vanessa laughed softly. "There's no point talking about it now. I've already accepted things as they are."

"Don't you dare give up, Vanessa. If you really like my brother, then fight for him! Anyone with eyes can see you're a hundred times better than Eleanor."

Vanessa couldn't help but giggle. "You really think so?"

"Of course! My mom was against her marrying my brother from the start. And now, I don't think my brother even cares for her anymore."

A smile tugged at Vanessa's lips. How could a stay-at-home housewife ever compare to her?

After dropping Joel off at the hotel, Eleanor glanced at the clock-nearly three. She stopped at a nearby shop to buy her daughter's favorite fruit, then picked up a gift box of health supplements from an upscale boutique.

At half past three, Goodwin Manor.

Upstairs, Serena and Vanessa were still deep in private conversation when a knock sounded at the door. "Come in!" Serena called out.

lan stepped inside and looked at Vanessa. "Let me drive you home."

"It's still early, lan! Why are you trying to rush Vanessa out?" Serena protested. "Your sister-in-law is coming over for dinner."

"So what if she is? Why does that mean Vanessa has to leave?" Serena refused to back down.

Vanessa smiled gently. "It's alright, Serena. It would be awkward for me to stay; I don't want your sister-in-law to get the wrong idea."

"You're our guest. If she has a problem, she can take it up with me—it was my idea to invite you," Serena insisted.

Vanessa patted her hand. "Don't make a fuss. I'll head out now."

Serena was reluctant to see Vanessa go. Ever since they'd shared that secret, it felt like they could talk for hours on end.

Vanessa said goodbye to Magdalen downstairs before leaving.

lan's car had barely gone a mile and just passed through a traffic light when a white sedan across the intersection caught his attention-it was Eleanor's car, waiting for the light to change.

Eleanor sat in her car, lost in thought as she watched the traffic. Suddenly, a familiar vehicle drove past. She glanced at the license plate-it was lan's. Through the window, she could see his unmistakable profile in the driver's seat, and next to him, the delicate silhouette of a woman-Vanessa.

In all the years she'd been married to lan, the only women who'd ever sat in his front seat were herself and Vanessa.

So this was why lan had called her back to the Goodwin house-to stay with their daughter while he slipped away to meet his lover.

lan didn't seem to notice her car. After a brief moment, his car sped off.

Eleanor's own car continued toward Goodwin Manor. Five minutes later, she pulled through the open gates and parked in the driveway.