Chapter 1572

Eleanor returned to the house. It wasn't time to pick up Evelyn from school yet, so she retreated to the study, sitting blankly on the sofa. She drifted through old memories, her chest heavy with worry for the Goodwins.

When she brought her daughter home that afternoon, Eleanor tried her best to keep her emotions in check. Evelyn was still so young; it would be better for lan to break the news when he returned.

The next morning, after dropping Evelyn off at school, Eleanor skipped going to the lab. She sat on the living room sofa, staring at her phone, debating whether to call lan and ask if he needed any help.

But she quickly dismissed the idea. With lan in charge, everything was likely under control.

At two-thirty that afternoon, Eleanor was discussing the tragedy with Joslyn, who was equally shocked by the sudden loss. The sound of a car engine pulling into the driveway caught their attention. Joslyn immediately looked toward the garage. "Ma'am, I think Mr. Goodwin is back."

Eleanor hurried out of the foyer just as Lanny parked the car. Ian stepped out of the backseat, and Princess, the family dog, immediately bounded over to greet him.

"Ma'am, you should go help him," Joslyn urged gently.

Seeing the sheer exhaustion radiating from lan, Eleanor didn't hesitate. She walked briskly toward him.

"Miss Sutton, please keep an eye on Mr. Goodwin," Lanny requested. "He hasn't slept a wink all night."

lan swayed slightly on his feet. Eleanor quickly stepped in, grabbing his arm to steady him.

He hadn't closed his eyes since catching a single hour of sleep in the breakroom the previous morning.

lan turned his head to look at her. His bloodshot eyes were overflowing with weariness and pain, yet a faint, reassuring smile touched his gaze.

"I'm fine," he rasped, his voice rough and dry.

Eleanor didn't argue. "I'll take care of him, don't worry," she told Lanny.

Lanny nodded and drove off.

Joslyn hurried over. "Ma'am, should I heat up some food for him?"

Eleanor looked at lan. "Do you want to eat something?"

lan shook his head. "I don't have an appetite. I just need to rest."

"Please take Mr. Goodwin up to his room to rest, Ma'am," Joslyn urged. "He must be exhausted."

Eleanor remained silent, but lan cooperatively let her guide him inside.

She led him to the sofa in his living room and helped him sit down before getting him a glass of water lan drank half of it. When he looked up, the dark stubble on his jaw and the heavy shadows under his eyes made him look incredibly pale and drained.

"Everything's arranged. The funeral is the day after tomorrow," Ian said slowly.

"Okay," Eleanor murmured. She reached to take the glass, but lan suddenly grabbed her hand.

He looked up, his eyes pleading. "Don't go. Stay with me."

"I'm just putting the glass down," she promised softly.

lan finally released her hand, though his gaze followed her every movement.

Eleanor set the glass aside and sat back down next to him. Ian didn't speak again. He simply slumped back against the sofa, closing his eyes but his hand reached out and found hers with unerring accuracy holding it tight.

The autumn afternoon was perfectly still. Eleanor let him hold her hand. Before long, lan's breathing grew deep and even, as if the crushing weight of his exhaustion had finally putted him under.

Eleanor sat frozen, waiting until she was absolutely sure he was asleep.

But the moment she tried to pull her hand away, lan seemed to sense it. His fingers curled inward, locking around hers.

"Don't you want to sleep in your bed?" she whispered. "You're going to be uncomfortable."

lan opened his eyes and nodded. He stood up, but his grip on her hand never loosened. Eleanor had no choice but to follow him upstairs.

When they reached his master bedroom, lan still refused to let go. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at her with a hoarse plea. "Can you just stay for a little while?"

Eleanor nodded. "Alright. I'll stay. Go to sleep."

Only then did lan lie down on his side, his fingers still interlaced with hers, clinging to her like a stubborn child terrified of being abandoned.

Eleanor sat on the edge of the bed until he was completely under. Very gently, she slipped her hand free, pulled the covers over him, and slipped out of the room.

At five o'clock, Eleanor brought her daughter home. When Evelyn heard her father was back, she immediately wanted to run and see him.

Eleanor stopped her gently. "Daddy is really tired. He hasn't slept in two days. Let's let him get some rest, okay?"

Evelyn nodded understandingly. "Okay."

Around nine o'clock, just as Eleanor was getting Evelyn ready for bed, the little girl cheered, "Daddy, you're awake!"

Eleanor came down from the second floor. Ian had clearly taken a shower and changed into a fresh grey t-shirt and sweatpants before coming over.