No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 697

Ian clenched his fist at his side, then turned and walked away.

Gavin glanced back one last time. Eleanor and Xavier stood close together, looking for all the world like a couple. With the two children’s laughter ringing out, the whole scene looked picture-perfect.

Out of the corner of his eye, Xavier caught the moment Ian’s silhouette disappeared. He let his hand drop from Eleanor’s shoulder and offered her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I got a little carried away just now.”

Eleanor unwound his scarf from her neck and handed it back. “It’s freezing out here. You need it more than I do—I’ll go grab another one inside.”

Xavier hesitated for a second, then accepted the scarf. Eleanor hurried back into the living room.

She had no idea Ian had just been there, nor that Xavier had purposely tried to give Ian the wrong impression.

That secret belonged to Xavier alone.

He’d acted that way because he’d noticed something lately—his good friend Ian seemed to want Eleanor back.

Ian was trying to win her over again, but Xavier could also see how reluctant Eleanor was whenever Ian got close.

So Xavier used his own closeness, hoping to shield her from Ian’s advances—without Eleanor ever knowing. Of course, it didn’t hurt that it gave him a chance as well.

Xavier had never claimed to be a saint. In love, everyone fights their own way.

Eleanor grabbed another scarf from the hall closet and wrapped it around her neck before heading back outside. The kids were still playing, shrieking with delight.

Children really are happiest when they’re together—their joy seems to multiply.

At five-thirty, Xavier’s phone buzzed. Ian was calling.

“Xavier, bring Eleanor and the kids over for dinner,” Ian said on the other end.

“Sure, we’ll be there soon,” Xavier replied.

A shuttle van pulled up and soon they were riding up to the hotel’s top floor. The restaurant was perched at the very top of the building, its floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of snow-capped mountains and the fading twilight.

Ian was waiting for them by the window.

“Daddy!” Evelyn squealed, running to him.

Ian bent down to scoop his daughter into a hug, his gaze flickering to Eleanor—he noticed immediately that she was wearing a different scarf, not Xavier’s. Something unreadable crossed his eyes.

Eleanor sat down beside Evelyn, with Vivian on her other side. Xavier and Ian took seats together across the table.

They let the children choose dinner—pan-seared cod, truffle pasta, baked sweet potatoes with cheese.

Eleanor kept an eye on the girls, making sure everyone was happy, while the two men sipped red wine and watched over the table. The atmosphere was warm and easy.

“The ski resort opens at nine tomorrow. I’ve already booked us the VIP passes,” Ian announced, then turned to Xavier. “Hey, do you remember the last time we went skiing together?”