Chapter 578

How was he doing now? What had become of that house in Chicago Bay? Eleanor’s heart thudded with quiet urgency—curiosity—burning, relentless—gnawed at her. She needed to see it again. Her gaze drifted to the window, where shifting light and shadow danced across her face, casting a gentle flicker in her eyes. Beside her, Charles remained silent, both hands firm on the steering wheel. Outwardly calm. Inwardly storming. What had he just done? He couldn’t explain it. He’d acted on pure instinct no impulse. Like he was under a spell. Letting her come home with him. Just days ago, such a thing would’ve been unimaginable. Now, it was too late for second thoughts. He couldn’t exactly drop her off in the middle of nowhere. The car rolled into Chicago Bay and eased to a stop in front of the villa. The gates stood open, welcoming them with an eerie quietness. Before the engine fully died, Eleanor was already moving—she flung the door open and stepped out quickly, almost too quickly, like she'd be