No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 599

Henry sent another message: “Vanessa, when are you coming back? Do you want me to come keep you company?”

“No need! I’ll be flying home in a couple of days,” Vanessa replied.

Reading her response, Henry felt a pang of disappointment. He knew Vanessa only wanted the person she cared about most by her side.

Pushing aside his own thoughts, Henry looked up to see Eleanor finishing up feeding soup to Xavier. He rapped lightly on the door before stepping inside with a grin. “Looks like I picked the wrong time to show up!”

Eleanor glanced back, surprised to see him. Xavier checked the time, then turned to her. “Why don’t you head home? The kids are probably waiting for you. I’ll have Henry keep an eye on me.”

Eleanor nodded. “Alright.”

“My driver will be here to pick up Vivian at eight thirty,” Xavier added.

“Okay. Get some rest. I’ll come by to check on you tomorrow,” Eleanor said, grabbing her bag. She exchanged only a brief look with Henry on her way out.

Henry’s smile faltered a little. Ever since their last private conversation, Eleanor had been keeping her distance. He still felt guilty for the impulsive things he’d said that day.

After Eleanor left, Henry pulled up a chair and sat down beside Xavier. “How’d you get hurt? Is it serious?”

“Broke my arm. The rest are just scrapes and bruises,” Xavier replied.

“I asked how it happened,” Henry pressed. He could sense Xavier was hiding something.

Xavier hesitated, then gave in. “Eleanor was crossing the street—almost got hit by a car. I pushed her out of the way and couldn’t dodge in time myself.”

Henry’s eyes widened. “So you saved her life again?” Twice now Xavier had risked himself for Eleanor, and from the way she’d fussed over him earlier, Henry wondered if gratitude might soon become something more.

Xavier caught the look in Henry’s eyes and grew serious. “Look, Henry, I’m not going to use what happened to manipulate Eleanor. And I’d appreciate it if you stopped bringing it up.”

Henry sighed. “Rescue is rescue. Love is love. They’re not the same. Just like when Ian married Eleanor out of gratitude—well, we all know how that worked out.”

He hoped Xavier could see the difference. Just because he’d saved Eleanor didn’t mean she owed him her heart.

Xavier dropped his gaze, a bitter smile flickering across his face. “I know the difference.”

Henry gave his shoulder a pat. “Alright, I said I wouldn’t meddle in your business, and I meant it. If you want to pursue her, go for it. Even Ian doesn’t mind—why should I?”

“Are you sure Ian truly doesn’t mind?” Xavier asked suddenly, looking up.

Henry hesitated. “What, you think Ian’s the type to try to win her back?”

Xavier narrowed his eyes. He used to think he understood his two friends, but now he realized everyone kept secrets.

He didn’t answer, and Henry cleared his throat. “Alright, let’s drop the subject.”

…

Back at home, Eleanor found Joslyn looking after the twins, the two little ones playing happily together. She headed upstairs, pulled out her phone, and called Byron.

Right then, a flash of lightning split the sky outside. Startled, Eleanor dropped her phone and immediately covered her daughter’s ears as a clap of thunder shook the windows. Her face went pale.

She’d always been sensitive to loud noises—thunderstorms and fireworks had terrified her as a child. But now, as a mother, she forced herself to stay calm for her daughter’s sake.

After a few more rumbles, rain began to drum against the glass, and Eleanor’s mind wandered restlessly.

Her phone buzzed. Sleepy but curious, she glanced at the screen.

“Is something wrong? Why are you taking a week off?”

—It was Ian.

She ignored the message, but another soon followed. “I’m flying home tonight.”

Eleanor tossed her phone aside with a cold expression, holding her daughter close as she drifted off to sleep.

—

The next morning, after dropping her daughter off at school, Eleanor packed up breakfast and headed to the hospital to check on Xavier.

Xavier had told her yesterday not to mention the accident to his mother, so Eleanor felt responsible for looking after him herself.

When she arrived, a nurse was hooking up Xavier’s IV. She adjusted the drip rate, sneaking glances at Xavier—after all, it wasn’t every day you saw a man that handsome and charismatic.