No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1219

Xavier knew with certainty that from this day forward, his feelings for Eleanor would only be those of a friend's care and concern. He would no longer hope for anything more.

***

Eleanor led her daughter into the elevator, and Ian's tall frame followed them in. Evelyn reached out to press the button for their floor, and Ian reached out to press the one for his, the 27th.

"Thank you for being so understanding with Henry today. He's been wanting to find a chance to apologize to you," Ian said in a low voice, his gaze fixed on Eleanor from beneath thick lashes, as if trying to read her.

"I've already forgotten about the past," Eleanor replied calmly.

A flicker of apology crossed Ian's eyes. If Henry hadn't told him, he would have never known she'd had issues with him as well.

"I'm sorry. In the past... you went through a lot," Ian's voice was deep, heavy with remorse.

Talk of their failed marriage still stirred something in Eleanor, but not much.

There was a time when those hurts were like invisible thorns lodged deep in her heart. She would toss and turn all night, her mind in turmoil, over a cold word or a moment of neglect from him.

Now, hearing his apology, she mostly felt a sense of peace that comes with time, as if she had detached herself from her past emotions.

She didn't love him anymore, but she didn't hate him either.

Just then, the elevator doors opened. Evelyn was preoccupied with a small toy in her hands and hadn't heard what her parents were talking about.

As Eleanor unlocked her front door, she turned to the man who had walked her to her doorstep. Her eyes were clear as she looked at him. "We were too young back then. I had an overly idealized view of love and marriage, and I was too dependent on you, losing myself in the process. And you had your own difficulties. The way we are now, able to get along peacefully for Evelyn's sake, is good enough."

There was no resentment in her words, no accusation, only a calm clarity that comes with experience.

But Ian's heart felt as if it had been squeezed by an iron fist, a dull ache spreading through his chest.

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