No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 217

Ian glanced over, his eyes searching hers, silently asking if she’d told their daughter about the divorce.

Eleanor met his gaze for a few seconds. After six years of marriage, Ian could still read her expression without effort.

“Mom’s been busy with work lately,” Ian said gently to their daughter. “Let’s let her get some rest, okay?”

“Alright,” Evelyn agreed, though even at her young age, she’d noticed her parents didn’t spend much time together with her anymore.

That night, while Eleanor was working on her thesis, a notification arrived from Evelyn’s school.

She picked it up absentmindedly and glanced at it. The school had announced they’d invited an international pianist to teach for the semester.

Moments later, another update popped up—a special announcement. Eleanor opened it, and her face fell.

Vanessa had been hired as the school’s consultant?

Within minutes, the parents’ group chat was in an uproar. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, expressing gratitude that the school could recruit a pianist of Vanessa’s caliber as an arts advisor.

But Eleanor doubted whether Vanessa was really there just to advise on music.

She feared Vanessa’s real aim was to get closer to Evelyn, to win her over, maybe to prepare her for the day when she’d become her stepmother.

But wasn’t Vanessa pregnant?

Eleanor bit her lip. She suspected Ian must have agreed to this behind her back.

The news put Eleanor in a sour mood for the entire weekend. By Sunday evening at five, Ian brought Evelyn home.

Taking Evelyn’s hand, Eleanor turned toward the living room. Ian was just about to leave when Evelyn’s face crumpled and she burst into tears.

Eleanor jumped in alarm, crouching down in front of her daughter. “What’s wrong, honey?”

“I want Daddy,” Evelyn wailed, shaking her head. “I don’t want Daddy to go. I want Daddy to stay with me.” She broke free from Eleanor’s grasp, ran to the front door, and threw her arms around Ian’s leg, sobbing her heart out.

Eleanor froze.

Evelyn was only five years old. Of course she longed for both her parents’ presence. It was only natural.

Sharing a meal like this, just the three of them, wrapped Evelyn in a simple, innocent happiness.

Ian stayed until nine. While Joslyn took Evelyn upstairs for her bath, Eleanor came over and quietly asked Ian to leave.

He didn’t protest, just paused to pat Princess, the family’s golden retriever, before heading out.

Early Monday morning, Eleanor sought out Evelyn’s teacher to ask about Vanessa’s role. The teacher explained that Miss Shannon would teach piano every Thursday at two in the afternoon.

“Mrs. Goodwin, do you know Miss Shannon?” the teacher asked curiously.

“No, I don’t,” Eleanor replied with a calm smile.

“All the parents in the group are thrilled she’s joining as an advisor! It’ll be such wonderful inspiration for the children’s artistic development.”

Eleanor made up her mind: every Thursday while Vanessa was teaching, she’d arrange for Evelyn to stay home.

She would not give Vanessa a single chance to get close to her daughter or to drive a wedge between them.