No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 68

"Yeah, I agree—filing for divorce in court is better. If the judge rules in your favor, you won't have to wait out that one-month cooling-off period." Joy nodded in agreement.

Eleanor rubbed her temples. "It's just that gathering evidence is tough. Ian's always so careful, and I haven't checked his phone in ages."

"You have to look!" Joy insisted. "I guarantee there's some flirty message history with Vanessa on there. Maybe even some big money transfers. All of that would be solid proof he's cheating."

Eleanor bit her lip. "We've barely spoken for three months now. It's been a total stalemate."

"So, you two don't even look each other in the eye these days, huh?" Joy pressed.

Eleanor nodded. "Yeah."

Joy sighed. "Ellie, you have to figure something out. You need those messages between him and Vanessa—nothing else is going to be as convincing."

But to get her hands on Ian's phone, she'd have to thaw the ice between them first. If he suggested they sleep together, would she really have to go along with it?

"I'll try," Eleanor muttered, massaging her forehead.

That night, after a long heart-to-heart, the two women called it a night. The next morning, after a quiet breakfast, Eleanor headed home. Joslyn greeted her at the door. "Welcome back, Mrs. Blake."

"Thanks."

"Mr. Blake is home today," Joslyn added as she helped Eleanor with her coat.

Eleanor just nodded. At that moment, a bark echoed from upstairs. Princess, their golden retriever, bounded down the stairs, tail wagging so hard her whole body wiggled.

Eleanor crouched down to rub the dog's head. She used to be firmly against getting a dog for their daughter, but now she had to admit: there was nothing like the unconditional welcome of a little dog every day, no matter how your mood was. Princess had become her daily dose of comfort.

Ian looked up, catching a hint of olive branch in her voice. The corner of his mouth twitched in a barely-there smile. He glanced down at the dog and said, "Come on, Princess. Time to eat."

Princess leapt off the sofa and trotted after Eleanor, tail wagging. Eleanor was the first to sit at the dining table.

Ian ladled himself a bowl of soup, sipping quietly. Eleanor picked at her food, eating slowly.

"Where were you last night?" Ian asked, breaking the silence.

"I stayed at Joy's place," Eleanor replied.

"Your lawyer friend?" Ian's gaze sharpened as he studied her face.