No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 272

Ian’s lips curled into a smile. “Alright.”

Mansfield Ellington had been about to shield Eleanor from her ex-husband’s obvious attempt to hitch a ride, but to his surprise, she agreed to give Ian a lift herself, simply to avoid troubling him.

Ian turned to Mansfield. “Which unit are you serving with now, Mr. Ellington?”

“Southern Command,” Mansfield answered curtly.

“And Mayor Ellington is…?”

“My uncle,” Mansfield replied easily, not minding the disclosure.

Ian nodded, having sorted out the family connection. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Eleanor pulled the car up in front of the restaurant. Ian reached for the front passenger door, but Eleanor shot him a look. “Back seat.”

He paused for a second, surprised, but didn’t argue. He opened the rear door and climbed in.

At that moment, Mansfield leaned in toward Eleanor, his tone gentle. “Take Maplecrest Avenue. There’s less traffic that way.”

A warmth flickered in Eleanor’s chest. For all his tough exterior, Mansfield had an eye for detail. She nodded. “Thank you.”

“Drive safe. Text me when you get home,” he reminded her.

“I will. You should head back,” she replied.

As Eleanor’s car eased away into the evening, she glanced in the rearview mirror—Mansfield was still standing there, watching them leave. He only disappeared from sight when she turned the corner.

“He’s awfully attentive, isn’t he?” Ian’s voice broke the silence, rough and tinged with the haze of alcohol.

Eleanor gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Not your concern.”

Quiet filled the car.

Eleanor let out a cold laugh. “What’s it to you?”

Ian fell silent.

Eleanor drove him all the way to the Goodwin family’s front door. She didn’t bother hiding her impatience. “Get out.”

Ian opened the door, paused, and leaned against the window. “I can’t make it to Wednesday’s parent-child event. Could you let Evelyn know?”

With that, he closed the door.

Eleanor recalled how, just last Friday, their daughter had asked if her dad could come along to the event. Apparently, even if Evelyn hadn’t asked, Ian wouldn’t have been able to make it.

“For any of Evelyn’s activities in the future, you don’t need to show up,” Eleanor called out, her words carried by the evening breeze as she drove away.

Ian stood motionless for a moment, watching as her car disappeared down the street.