No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 722

“Let me go.” Eleanor struggled, trying to push Ian away.

Just then, a woman nearby—her seatbelt apparently unsecured—was tossed from her seat into the aisle, letting out a piercing scream.

Ian’s arm clamped around Eleanor’s waist like a steel band. With one hand cradling the back of her head, he held her close. Wrapped up in a blanket, Eleanor found herself bundled tightly against his chest, cocooned in his embrace.

“I don’t need your help.” Eleanor’s hand emerged from beneath the blanket, pushing at him.

“Don’t move.” Ian’s voice was low as he pressed her back into place.

Fear prickled at Eleanor’s skin. She squeezed her eyes shut and held still, her heart thundering as passengers’ terrified cries echoed through the cabin.

At last, the plane steadied. The flight attendants hurried out to calm the panicked travelers, and a collective sigh of relief rippled through the aisle.

The moment she regained her composure, Eleanor shoved Ian away. “Let me go.”

Ian released her without resistance, but his gaze stayed fixed on her pale, shaken face. Her hair was a tangled mess, and she looked as if she’d barely survived the ordeal.

“Feeling any better?” Ian asked, reaching out suddenly to smooth the hair from her forehead.

Eleanor jerked back, batting his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

He didn’t look offended—just quietly withdrew, no longer pushing her boundaries.

The flight attendants moved through the cabin, checking for injuries.

The rest of the flight passed in relative calm. Passengers gradually collected themselves as the plane began its descent. The lights of Ashford City twinkled into view through the windows.

Eleanor gazed out at the city below, desperate to get off the plane as soon as possible.

When the plane finally rolled to a stop and the doors opened, Eleanor shot to her feet. Ian asked, “Do you have someone picking you up?”

“None of your business.” She tossed the words over her shoulder and strode down the aisle ahead of him.

Ian followed closely behind, worry etched on his face. He wasn’t sure if she had arranged a ride, and it was late—if she planned to take a cab into the city, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Eleanor, in fact, hadn’t arranged for anyone to pick her up. Even if she called Ellington now, it would be too late. She decided to hail a taxi.

At the baggage claim, Eleanor grabbed her suitcase, and Ian retrieved his own, trailing after her.

At the arrivals gate, Gavin Young was waiting. He spotted Eleanor immediately and hurried over. “Miss Sutton.”

“Gavin.” She nodded in greeting.

“Our car’s this way, Miss Sutton,” Gavin said quickly.

“I’m not riding with you.” Eleanor’s tone was brisk as she glanced toward the taxi lane.

Just then, Ian strode over and addressed Gavin, “You drive her back to the city. I’ll take a cab.”

“Mr. Goodwin, why don’t you both come with me?” Gavin offered, trying to smooth things over.

“She doesn’t want to be in the same car as me. Take her,” Ian replied, his voice just loud enough for Eleanor to hear.

Sensing the tension, Gavin hurried after Eleanor. “Miss Sutton, let me drive you home. It’s not safe for a young woman to take a cab alone this late.”

“Thank you, Gavin, but that won’t be necessary,” Eleanor replied, not wanting to give Ian the satisfaction of looking after her.

“Alright. Rest well, I won’t disturb you,” came his immediate response.

“Thank you for checking in,” she texted back.

After finishing her meal and taking a quick shower, Eleanor retreated to her study. She’d fallen behind on organizing her lab data and needed to catch up.

For now, she wanted to avoid any unnecessary trips and focus on her work.

It was late, and she didn’t want to disturb her daughter—she was probably getting ready for bed anyway.

That night, as Eleanor lay in bed, the terror from the flight replayed in her mind. For those few seconds, her mind had gone completely blank. She’d thought of her daughter.

If something had happened to both her and Ian on that plane, what would become of her child?

In that instant, all grudges and heartache seemed trivial. The only thing that mattered was surviving.

Eleanor closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep.

When she opened them again, morning light was spilling through the window.

She decided to head to the lab early. She was among the first to arrive, and Joel Kingsley was surprised to see her. “You’re here early.”

“Yeah. I didn’t have to take my daughter to school, so I came straight in.”

“Did you have breakfast?” Joel asked.

“Not yet,” Eleanor admitted with a shake of her head.