No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1479

"There's nothing I can't say." Ian's gaze darkened slightly. "The reason isn't complicated."

Eleanor shifted her gaze back to him.

Ian leaned forward slightly so they were at eye level. His deep eyes locked onto hers as he spoke, enunciating every word. "It was because of you."

Eleanor froze. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around her teacup. She hadn't expected him to be so blunt about the reason.

But Eleanor couldn't see how she was responsible for it.

Ian realized his words had placed pressure and distress on her. He chuckled. "Well, actually, it had nothing to do with you. I was just under a lot of mental stress during that time and didn't get enough rest. I just worried myself gray."

Ian took a sip of his tea, his Adam's apple bobbing. "The day you were kidnapped, I was so thankful Mansfield saved you in time. He took a knife for you and kept you safe. You were in tears, begging me to save him. When I carried you into the car and brought you to him, in that moment, I—"

Ian's hand on the table unconsciously clenched into a tight fist. It was as if recalling the events of that night still plucked a fragile string in his heart.

He paused for a moment before looking down, his voice raspy and low. "I thought... you were going to become Mrs. Ellington."

Eleanor's breathing hitched slightly.

"That night, when I brought you to him, he was covered in blood, and your eyes were filled with nothing but concern. I actually caught myself wondering... if I had been the one to take that knife for you, would I have gotten that same concern from you?" Ian looked up. "Would you have stayed by my side, just like you stayed by his?"

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