No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 200

Joy tugged on Eleanor's sleeve, her voice low and curious. "Is that Ian's car?"

Eleanor glanced over her shoulder at the vehicle tailing them and recognized it immediately. She shook her head and said, "Ignore him."

Joy took a few steps, then turned back with a teasing grin. "Looks like he's playing your knight in shining armor!"

She couldn't help herself—her curiosity always got the better of her. "So, how's the whole divorce thing coming along?" Lately, Joy had been so swamped with cases she barely had time to breathe.

Eleanor sighed. "Your mentor said he's still talking to the tax office, and he's reached out to appraisers and accountants. He keeps saying the process is complicated."

Joy gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Well, if Ian's getting all the paperwork in order, it probably means he's really willing to split everything fifty-fifty. That's surprisingly generous of him."

Eleanor's lips twisted into a wry smile. "To me, it just feels like he's stalling."

"No need to stress about it," Joy replied, trying to sound upbeat. "You two are already living apart. Let my mentor handle it—he'll make sure you get the best deal possible." Then she added, "And anyway, isn't Vanessa pregnant now? The Goodwin family's probably dying to welcome her in as soon as possible."

Eleanor nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure they're in a hurry."

Joy smirked. "So Ian might actually speed up the divorce, too. Otherwise, by the time it goes through, Vanessa's belly will be impossible to hide."

Early the next morning.

Eleanor and Joy went shopping at a nearby mall. They wandered into the Hermès boutique, where Joy was on a mission.

"This bag is finally in stock," Joy whispered, her eyes shining. She'd been obsessing over it for weeks.

A sales associate approached, her tone professional but cool. "I'm sorry, miss, but this bag has already been reserved."

"What? Reserved?" Joy's face fell. "You're just trying to make me buy more stuff, aren't you?"

Vanessa's expression cooled. "You might want to watch your tone, miss."

Joy shot back, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Vanessa. You're not Mrs. Goodwin yet. As long as Eleanor's still married, you're just the woman in the shadows."

Vanessa's composure faltered, her smile now a thin, tight line. "Eleanor, you really should just get the divorce over with. You're still young—why not move on?"

Joy squeezed Eleanor's arm in support. "Trust me, Eleanor's not short on options. Guys line up halfway to Fairhaven for her."

A few months ago, Vanessa would have laughed that off. But with Eleanor's new status, she found it impossible.

Joy started to lead Eleanor away, but Vanessa suddenly grabbed Eleanor's arm, her voice low and urgent. "You know how much Ian loves me. The sooner you let go, the better for all of us."

Eleanor jerked her arm free, her eyes cold. "My life is none of your business."