No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1269

Ian's hands, submerged in the water, slowly clenched into fists.

The dull ache in his chest grew sharper, accompanied by a powerful sense of helplessness that made his breathing shallow.

He knew he had to face this, to calmly accept the happiness she had chosen. But that was far from easy.

Ian rose from the hot spring, water sluicing down his toned body. The night breeze brought a chill as he wrapped a robe around himself and walked back into the villa.

The room was scattered with some of his daughter's toys. He patiently knelt to tidy them up, then went to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of whiskey. The amber liquid swirled in the glass, reflecting his heavy thoughts.

Just then, his phone chimed with a message from Gavin Young. [Mr. Goodwin, Major Ellington has returned to Kingston.]

Ian's pupils constricted. He quickly dialed Gavin's number. "Who told you that?"

Gavin immediately replied, "Dr. Lyman sent over an inventory list. I casually asked if Miss Sutton was at the hospital, and he mentioned she had gone home. Major Ellington returned to Kingston this afternoon."

Only Mansfield went back to Kingston? Eleanor didn't go with him?

Given Mansfield's current physical condition, he should have needed Eleanor's care. And given their relationship, Eleanor should not have left his side at such a critical moment.

"Mr. Goodwin? Is there anything else?" Gavin asked tentatively from the other end.

"No," Ian said flatly and hung up.

He downed the whiskey in one go and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, unable to make sense of the situation.

Eleanor had risked everything to save Mansfield. Why, when he needed her most, hadn't she accompanied him to Kingston to care for him? After all, he had taken their daughter, and her work was just minor wrap-up tasks.

Unless-

Ian's pupils contracted sharply as a theory surfaced in his mind. Unless the relationship between Eleanor and Mansfield wasn't as intimate as he had imagined.

Eleanor frowned, surprised by his question. Her voice remained cool. "They have a professional medical team to look after him in Kingston. I wasn't needed."

"Is that all?" Ian pressed. "You're not worried about him?"

"With Principal Maxwell's team there, there's no need to worry," Eleanor continued to respond.

"Have you two discussed when you're getting engaged?" Ian asked abruptly.

Annoyed, Eleanor closed her book. "Ian, that's none of your business, is it?"

The words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the hope that had just begun to flicker within him. Standing by the window, Ian's lips curved into a self-deprecating smile. "Sorry. I crossed a line."

Two seconds later, the line went dead.