No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 71

"Mr. Goodwin, is someone you know unwell?"

"Yeah." Ian replied, casting a quick glance at the slender figure in the white coat cradled in Joel's arms, then striding purposefully into the patient's room.

Joel led Eleanor toward the last room in the hall, his arm gently around her shoulders, worry etched across his face as he glanced at her.

Eleanor looked calm on the surface, but she couldn't help noticing how closely Ian hovered around Vanessa, refusing to leave her side even for a moment.

"Are you alright?" Joel asked, concern in his voice.

"I'm fine," Eleanor replied, shaking her head.

After getting the details on the patient's condition, Eleanor and Joel stepped out of the room together, talking quietly as they headed back to the lab. There, they poured over the patient's samples, searching for whatever was causing the sudden illness.

At 4:20 that afternoon, Eleanor hurried through the school gates and spotted her daughter, Evelyn, playing with Vivian on the lawn. Xavier stood nearby, keeping a watchful, patient eye on them.

"Mr. Vaughn, I'm so sorry to trouble you again," Eleanor apologized as she approached.

"It's no trouble at all," Xavier replied with an easy smile.

"Mom!" Evelyn squealed, racing over to her. Eleanor scooped her up, catching a glimpse of Vivian's longing gaze.

Eleanor's heart ached for the girl. She didn't know exactly what had happened to Vivian's mother, only that Vivian was now living with her uncle. She must miss her mother terribly.

"Vivian, would you like to come over for dinner tonight?" Eleanor invited her gently.

Vivian's eyes lit up. "Really? I'd love to!"

Xavier looked mildly surprised, but smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Goodwin. That's very kind."

"It's no trouble at all. You can pick her up around eight-thirty," Eleanor said.

Eleanor took her daughter and Vivian home. Later, she sat on the porch sofa while the girls and Princess—their golden retriever—chased each other across the lawn. She picked up her phone and snapped a picture to capture the moment.

"Still running tests," Joel said, rubbing his chin. "It's tricky, but we'll get to the bottom of it. Oh, and I need to stop by the hospital later to collect a fresh blood sample from the patient."

"Can't the hospital send it over?"

"I really should see the patient myself. But if it's inconvenient for you—" Joel hesitated, knowing Ian was still there with Vanessa.

Eleanor shook her head. "It's fine. I'll come with you."

This time, she didn't run into Ian, but Vanessa's name was still on the patient monitor, indicating she hadn't been discharged yet.

After they'd finished checking on the patient, Joel paused at the door. "I'm going to step inside for a minute."

Eleanor blinked in surprise as Joel pushed open Vanessa's door. Inside, Ian sat on the sofa, while Vanessa lay on the bed, looking pale with her long hair splayed across the pillow. On the side table, a fresh bouquet of roses stood next to an assortment of fruit baskets and get-well gifts.

"Dr. Kingsley?" Ian looked up, clearly surprised to see him.