No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1280

At the airport under the night sky, traffic flowed endlessly. Parked between two black SUVs, a Rolls-Royce waited quietly. Just as Vanessa stepped out of the terminal, she saw Ian protectively helping Eleanor into the car. Eleanor didn't reject his attentive service.

Laverne, standing beside her, was shocked. Could the rumors online be true? Was Ian really getting back together with Eleanor?

She watched as the three-car convoy assertively pulled away from the curb and disappeared into the distant stream of traffic.

Vanessa forced herself to look away and walked toward her van. Once inside, she took off her sunglasses, her eyes filled with gloom. She had been abroad for a medical check-up and was scheduled to undergo IVF in a foreign country soon.

Laverne got in the car and saw Vanessa staring out the window, her face dark and sullen. She couldn't help but wonder, if Eleanor and Ian did remarry, would Eleanor retaliate against Vanessa for what she had done back then?

After all, the main reason for her divorce from Ian was Vanessa. The dramas Vanessa had orchestrated were filmed and released with Laverne's help. At the time, Vanessa was, for all intents and purposes, the other woman.

Although the truth was now out—that Vanessa and Ian's relationship was merely a transaction—Laverne felt a sense of regret for her. If only she had managed to have a child with Ian during that time, she wouldn't have been cast aside after her use was up.

Vanessa had the looks and the body; she was a temptation most men couldn't resist. Yet, how had Ian managed to restrain himself all these years?

Could it be that something was physically wrong with him? Laverne secretly wondered.

Seeing Vanessa still in a foul mood, Laverne offered some well-meaning advice. "Vanessa, you need to take care of yourself right now. You shouldn't let your emotions get the best of you."

Vanessa seemed not to hear. She picked up her phone, scrolled through her photos, and then began swiping frantically. Finally, she stopped at one picture she had taken secretly. In it, Ian's handsome face was stern, but at least he was by her side.

Laverne glanced over and saw Vanessa looking at the photo. She hated Ian so much, yet at this moment, her eyes were filled with infatuation.

Ian had everything it took to drive women crazy—old money, unfairly good looks, and more money than anyone could wrap their head around.

Most of the time, she thought Vanessa was smart, ambitious, and calculating. But in front of Ian, she was an out-and-out fool. She knew the man had never had her in his heart, yet she had loved him unconditionally for ten years.

Vanessa bit her lip, only wishing she had caused Eleanor more pain back then. Otherwise, why would she even consider getting back with a man like Ian?

***

Ashford's skyline glowed against the night, all glass and light.

Ian's convoy drove smoothly back toward the city. He glanced at Eleanor beside him and noticed she was staring out the window, lost in thought.

Ian really wanted to ask what she was thinking, but he held back. He knew there were some boundaries he shouldn't cross just yet.

The convoy arrived at Cloudcrest Manor.

"Mr. Ellington sent it for you," Eleanor told her.

"Really? I love it!" Evelyn exclaimed, then started playing with it on the sofa.

Ian stood in the entryway and said to Eleanor, "I'll head down now."

Eleanor gave him a nod. The atmosphere between them had become noticeably more natural after the trip to Kingston.

Joslyn started cooking a bowl of noodles for Eleanor. Beside her, Evelyn played with the tank, unable to put it down. She asked curiously, "Mommy, when is Mr. Ellington coming to our house to play?"

"Mr. Ellington is very busy recently. We'll see in the future," Eleanor replied gently.

Evelyn propped her chin on her hands and asked, "Can I go see the fireflies at his base again someday?"

Her question caught Eleanor slightly off guard. Looking at her daughter's expectant eyes, she reached out and stroked her head, coaxing softly, "Be good. There will be a chance in the future."

Evelyn didn't press the issue. Joslyn called her upstairs for a bath.

As Eleanor ate her noodles, her mind drifted to her upcoming research. Midway through her meal, she sighed, put down her utensils, and leaned back in her chair. Staring out at the night sky, a wave of helplessness washed over her.