No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 339

Eleanor frowned, then turned and headed back to the lab to review the files on her USB drive.

Spring had arrived in full bloom. On the weekend, with everything coming back to life, Eleanor picked up supplies for a picnic, planning to unwind at the park.

She decided on Thursday to take her daughter for a picnic at Whispering Pines Meadow. She hadn’t expected Evelyn to excitedly share the news with Vivian.

Eleanor hadn’t even left the house when her phone rang—Xavier.

“Hello, Mr. Vaughn?”

“Miss Sutton, I heard you’re planning a picnic. Mind if we join you?” Xavier’s voice was warm. “I’ve got some ingredients ready—thought I could bring them along.”

Eleanor was briefly caught off guard, then smiled. “Of course, that’d be great!”

“Vivian’s been cooped up for ages,” Xavier added. “I thought the girls would have more fun together—don’t you agree?”

Eleanor couldn’t argue with that. Kids around the same age could keep each other entertained for hours and be much happier for it.

“I’ll have a couple of friends with me too, Mr. Vaughn. Hope that’s alright?” she said quickly.

“Absolutely. The more, the merrier.”

“Perfect! See you at the Whispering Pines Meadow parking lot,” Eleanor replied.

“See you then!”

Eleanor immediately called Joy.

“Why are you dragging me along?” Joy teased. “Wouldn’t your little family picnic be more romantic without me tagging along as the third wheel?”

Eleanor pressed her fingers to her temples, exasperated. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just friends getting together for a picnic. If you don’t come, it’ll just be me and Xavier with the two kids—I don’t want any more misunderstandings.”

“Alright, alright. If it’ll keep you out of trouble, I’ll come,” Joy laughed.

The weekend brought sunshine and a gentle spring breeze to Whispering Pines Meadow.

Eleanor had barely parked when she saw Xavier already waiting by his SUV at the agreed spot.

He was dressed casually in a light shirt, looking much softer and more relaxed than usual.

“Mom, look! There’s Vivian and Mr. Vaughn!” Evelyn pointed out the car across from them, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Vivian, wearing a pink dress and fluttering like a butterfly, raced over. “Evelyn! I brought my brand new bubble machine—look, you can have one too!”

The two girls instantly paired off, their laughter ringing out like silver bells through the parking lot.

“Bringing them together was definitely the right call,” Xavier said with a smile as he walked over and took the picnic basket from Eleanor. He’d driven a large SUV and was pulling a picnic cart loaded with food.

Not long after, Joy arrived.

They found a wide, open stretch of grass and spread out their picnic blanket. Xavier set up chairs and a folding table while Eleanor began arranging the food, with Xavier lending a hand.

Joy went off with the girls to fly a kite.

With everything laid out, Eleanor took a breather and watched her daughter running and laughing across the grass, a gentle smile curving her lips.

Suddenly, Evelyn pointed into the distance and shouted, “Mom! Dad’s here! Daddy’s here!”

Eleanor’s smile froze. Following Evelyn’s finger, she spotted Ian striding across the lawn toward them.

Joy, heading back, looked surprised. “You invited him too?”

Eleanor bit her lip in frustration. “I didn’t.”

“Oh, come on,” Joy teased, nudging Eleanor up. “You two go stretch your legs—I’ll keep an eye on things here.”

Eleanor realized her legs were indeed a bit numb. She glanced at Xavier. “Alright, let’s go.”

Across the lawn, Ian’s gaze flickered toward them—watchful, unreadable.

Just then, Evelyn and Vivian raced over. Evelyn had spotted the paddle boats on the lake and wanted to try them.

“Mom, come with me! Let’s go!”

Eleanor crouched down to her daughter’s level. “Sweetie, those boats aren’t safe for kids your age.”

“Daddy… Daddy!” Evelyn turned, immediately trying to win over her father.

“Listen to your mom,” Ian replied firmly.

Evelyn pouted, but Vivian quickly distracted her with the bubble machine again, and the girls ran off to play.

Xavier seemed to sense that Ian wanted to speak with Eleanor alone. “I’ll go check on the kids,” he said, walking away.

Once Xavier was out of earshot, Ian spoke up. “You still haven’t taken me off your block list?”

“I forgot,” Eleanor replied with a raised eyebrow. Honestly, the moment he mentioned it last time, she’d put it right out of her mind.

Ian narrowed his eyes. The woman who used to be utterly devoted to him was clearly gone.

The girls played to their hearts’ content before finally sitting down to eat. Ian and Xavier each looked after a child, while Eleanor and Joy went for a walk.

Standing by a sea of wildflowers, Joy watched the two men tending to the kids and shook her head in surprise. “I’ll give them this—both of them really know how to take care of children.”