No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 46

"Mr. Vaughn, does your child go to school here too?" Eleanor asked, curiosity brightening her eyes.

"I'm just here to pick up my niece," Xavier replied with a warm smile.

At 4:20, Xavier and Eleanor entered the pickup area one after the other. They spotted Evelyn and a little girl with mixed features, hand in hand, laughing as they played.

"Mommy!"

"Uncle!" Both girls dashed over, giggling. Eleanor scooped her daughter into her arms, just in time to see the other girl leap into Xavier's embrace.

"So you two are classmates as well!" Eleanor laughed in surprise.

"Vivian's my best friend," Evelyn announced, beaming.

Eleanor smiled, too. Xavier had once saved her life—a debt she knew she'd never forget.

Just then, Evelyn suddenly called out behind her, excitement in her voice. "Daddy! Daddy!"

Eleanor paused, turning to see Ian making his way through the crowd. Evelyn raced into his arms, and Ian picked her up before walking over to Xavier.

Ian gave Xavier a searching look, concern lingering in his tone. "Is there any hope for your sister's case?"

Xavier shook his head.

"If there's anything I can do, just say the word."

Xavier's gratitude flickered in his eyes. "Thanks. We'll talk soon."

Eleanor overheard their exchange. Watching Xavier hold his niece, she couldn't help but wonder. Had Xavier's sister really committed a crime? Was that why her daughter was now in his care?

"Mom! Let's go home!" Evelyn's voice pulled her back.

"Daddy, you're home!" Evelyn bounced over and threw her arms around his leg, barely reaching above his knee.

Ian ruffled her hair, realizing he'd been so busy lately he hadn't noticed how much rounder her cheeks had grown.

He crouched to scoop her up and kissed her on the cheek. "Let me wash up first, then I'll come play ball with you."

"Okay!" Evelyn chirped, eyes shining.

Ian hung his suit jacket on the coat rack and, hands in his pockets, headed upstairs.

Twenty minutes later, he came down in a black sweater, his dark hair falling naturally over his brow, looking effortlessly relaxed.

"Daddy, come play!" Evelyn called, tugging him into a soccer game in the spacious living room.

Meanwhile, Eleanor methodically worked through her emails, undisturbed by the laughter around her. Since that day, something in her had quietly shifted—a new resilience blending with her calm reserve, making her all the more inscrutable.