Leonel, carrying Evelyn, led the way into the elevator, with Alexis following.

The doors closed behind them, offering a brief respite from prying eyes.

Upon reaching the CEO's office on the top floor, Alexis found herself taken aback. Everything was as she had left it, including the snooker table she had placed there.

The rest of the office furniture was in its familiar spots, as if she had never left.

Catching her gaze, Leonel remarked casually, "I've been too busy to play much pool. Maybe you can teach Evelyn someday. Look at how long her legs already are! I think she'll grow tall. She could be a good player."

The thought of Evelyn growing up healthily stirred a pang in Alexis's heart, a reminder of her daughter's illness. She touched Evelyn's head tenderly, lost in thought.

Leonel's gaze on Alexis was searching, silently questioning why she hadn't returned sooner. “Her disease was diagnosed a year ago, wasn't it?"

Alexis had indeed returned only after exhausting all other options with the best specialists. Her return to Leonel was a last resort, a decision made in the absence of any other hope. This fact lingered heavily between them.

Without a word, Alexis lowered her head, acknowledging the unspoken truth.

Leonel, managing to contain his emotions, didn't press the matter further. He placed Evelyn on the sofa in the rest area, and then opened two takeout boxes from a five-star hotel.

Inside were Evelyn's favorite dishes.

Perched on Leonel's knee, Evelyn ate quietly before asking, "Dad, are you and Mom fighting?"

Leonel glanced at Alexis, who was looking out the window, her eyes tinged with redness. His voice softened. "Let's just eat. There's a court trial this afternoon, right?"

His tone was noticeably gentler than before.

Neither wanted to argue in Evelyn's presence, so Alexis sat down, though her appetite was poor, and she ate very little.

After finishing feeding Evelyn, Leonel turned to Alexis, concern evident in his voice. “Is the food not to your liking?"

Observing Alexis, Leonel noted that she seemed thinner than before.

He pondered the common belief that women usually gain weight after childbirth, yet Alexis had lost much weight.

"I haven't dined out much in recent years," she replied to his unspoken question.

Leonel continued eating, his voice growing hoarse as he asked, “Does Calvin cook well?"