During dinner at the Quinns' residence, Sandra decided to broach the subject of Evelyn's return.

"Dad," she began, and both her parents looked at her, sensing the seriousness in her voice.

"Yes, dear?" Eric Quinn replied.

"Is there a problem?" Sandra's mother, Claire, asked, her concern evident as she stopped eating to look at her daughter. Eric also gazed at Sandra with concern.

"Is everything okay?" he asked when Sandra hesitated, seeming reluctant to speak.

Seeing she had their attention, she sighed deeply. "I'm not sure how to bring this up," she said, looking distressed.

"You're not sure how to bring what up? Is there a problem?" Claire asked, even more concerned.

"Go on, tell us if there's a problem," Eric urged.

Sandra sighed, looking down at her plate. "Has either of you heard from Evelyn? Do you know she's back?" she asked. Her mother and stepfather exchanged glances.

"Evelyn is back? How do you know that?" Claire asked anxiously, while Eric waited for an answer.

"Yes. Michael called. He ran into her today at Stone Corp," Sandra said, forcing a smile.

"Are you sure? Is it possible she returned but chose to stay away from home?" Claire asked. Eric frowned, unwilling to believe his daughter was back without contacting them.

None of them had heard from her since she left six years ago that morning, and all attempts to locate her had been futile.

Seeing her stepfather's disapproval, Sandra continued, "I was worried, so I asked Michael to follow her. She's staying at The Stone Palace. I suppose that means she's here because of her magazine" She stopped, pressing her lips together as if she'd made a slip.

"Her magazine? What magazine?" her stepfather asked, his eyes narrowed.

Sandra bit her lip, appearing afraid to speak.

"What magazine?" he insisted. She fidgeted.

"I wasn't going to say anything until I confirmed, but it seems Evelyn now works for a rival magazine—Empowered, to be precise. And she visited Stone Corp to ask Derek Stone for an exclusive interview," she said sadly, then forced a smile. "But don't worry, Dad. I'm sure she's only working there temporarily, and she"

Eric set down his cutlery with a clatter. "First, she embarrassed me by calling off her wedding on the day of the wedding. Then she left home. Now she's back, and instead of coming home to ask for forgiveness, she's working with my rivals?" His disappointment was clear, and Sandra hid a smirk. This was exactly what she'd wanted.

"Sandra, what exactly did Michael say? Did he speak with her? Did she say anything?" Claire asked, her voice tight with concern.

"She didn't talk to him. He said she completely ignored him," Sandra replied, her tone laced with disappointment.

"Poor Michael. I can't believe I raised such a child," Eric said with displeasure.

"Honey, you shouldn't be so hasty" Claire began, but one look from her husband silenced her.

She believed Evelyn had reasons for leaving six years ago, blaming herself for not preventing it. Over the years, she'd wondered if she would have stayed and watched Sandra leave instead. Now, she saw this as a chance to rectify things. She knew Evelyn was as stubborn as her father; once they set their minds on something, it was hard to change them. But she was determined to make amends.

"Why don't we go see her at the hotel tomorrow? I've missed her so much," Sandra said with a pout.

"Yes, we should go see her," Claire said, turning to her husband. Without a word, he pushed back from the table and left.

Claire immediately followed him. In their bedroom, she said, "I think you hurt her deeply if she won't even tell us she's back after six years." Eric glared at her.

"I hurt her? How do you think I felt after she disgraced me? How could she disappear on the eve of her wedding, return reeking of cologne, and decide she wasn't going through with the wedding?" Eric asked angrily.

"I understand, but don't you think you handled it the wrong way? She's still your daughter. You should have tried to find out why she did that, not threatened her. I'm sure her feelings were hurt, and that's why she left," Claire said. Though Eric knew this and had regretted it since, his pride prevented him from admitting it. "If she had a reason for calling off the wedding, she should have said so instead of announcing it to my face. If she'd rather stay at a hotel than come home, then let her be. I have other things to worry about," Eric said, turning his back to Claire.

Claire sighed. No matter what he said, she was determined to see Evelyn and uncover what happened six years ago. Revealing the truth was the only way to repair her family and bridge the chasm between father and daughter.