No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 673

In the middle of the night, Serena drove Vanessa home. As she gently helped Vanessa out of the car, her hand brushed against Vanessa’s wrist—and her fingers stilled. There, beneath her touch, she felt two ridged lines. Instinctively, Serena turned Vanessa’s arm over for a closer look.

Four or five thin scars marked the inside of Vanessa’s left wrist, the kind you never want to see.

Vanessa immediately pulled her arm back, covering the scars with her palm. “Thank you for tonight, Serena,” she said quietly.

“Vanessa, what—” Serena’s voice faltered, her eyes wide. Those marks—had Vanessa really tried to hurt herself?

Vanessa let out a soft sigh. “I was so young and stupid back then. The pressure of auditions, the stress, it all got to me. I made some foolish choices,” she admitted.

Serena’s heart clenched. But she’d noticed one of the scars looked fresh—nothing like something faded from years ago.

“Vanessa, I know things get hard, but you can’t do that to yourself,” Serena insisted, her voice trembling.

Vanessa lowered her head, her words floating out like a leaf on water. “I know. Back then, it felt like the world was ending. Now it all seems so childish.”

Serena couldn’t help but think: that newest scar—was it because her brother had agreed to marry Eleanor? Vanessa must love him so deeply, she’d risk everything just to be with him.

Would she herself succeed with Xavier if she had that kind of determination?

“Vanessa, there’s nothing in life you can’t get through. Promise me you won’t ever hurt yourself again. I’d be heartbroken,” Serena said softly.

She couldn’t stand the thought of someone as gentle and resilient as Vanessa being bullied by someone like Eleanor.

After a short while at Vanessa’s place, Vanessa urged her to head home. Serena drove back to Cloudcrest Manor, the estate her brother had given her. As she unlocked the front door, she spotted a dim lamp glowing in the living room.

She jumped, startled—then saw the outline of someone sleeping on the couch.

“Brother?” she blurted out, stunned. What was he doing here, sleeping on the sofa?

She tiptoed over, still smarting from his earlier coldness on the phone, and stood in front of him, arms crossed. But the moment she saw his sleeping face, the anger faded.

He was frowning, even in sleep, shadows of exhaustion marring his features. He looked nothing like the proud, commanding brother she knew—more like a lion with its mane dampened by rain.

Serena’s heart ached to see him like this. But then another thought crept in, and her irritation returned.

Was he like this because of Eleanor?

No, she quickly dismissed the idea. He was probably just overworked. Ever since he’d taken over the company, he’d handled every crisis with ease, and Goodwin & Co. was thriving. What could possibly be troubling him?

“Answer me!” Serena pressed. “Did you two get divorced because she left you, or because you left her?”

A storm of emotion flickered in Ian’s eyes. He gently pulled free. “There are things you wouldn’t understand.”

Then, in a low voice, he added, “Tomorrow I’ll find you a new place. Move out of here.”

Serena was taken aback, then scowled. “Why? I like this neighborhood. I’m not moving.”

“You still haven’t gotten over Xavier?” Ian shot her a cold look.

Her eyes stung with tears. “Do you really think so little of your own sister? Do you think I’m not good enough for him?”

Ian’s expression softened a fraction, but his tone was still firm. “It’s not about that. Xavier simply isn’t right for you.”

“And why not?” Serena demanded, chin tilted defiantly. “What kind of brother looks down on his own sister like this?”

“He’s in love with Eleanor,” Ian said quietly. “Don’t you see it?”

Serena snorted. “I don’t care. I like him, and even if he likes someone else, I’m not giving up.”