From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 17

By the time Peter wrapped up his meeting, it was already ten at night. He peeked into his daughter’s bedroom, but it was empty. Lisa, the housekeeper, came over quietly. “Sir, Olga said she wanted to sleep with Ms. Goff tonight.”

Everyone in the family knew how much the little one clung to her aunt. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think Olga was Jessie’s own daughter.

Peter’s eyes softened a little. “Alright. I know.”

He had a bed in his study, but tonight he found himself heading toward the master bedroom he shared with Eleanor. Only then did it hit him. She hadn’t come home again.

The room was spotless, just as tidy as always, but something about it felt off. Like something important was missing.

Peter loosened his tie, shut the bedroom door behind him, and wandered back to his study.

Eleanor was really something lately.

Even his assistant couldn’t track her down. She’d been at a hotel, or so he’d heard, but then she checked out. He looked for her at his other places around the city, but she was nowhere to be found.

This kind of pointless hiding, to Peter, was her way of playing hard to get.

Earlier that afternoon, he’d thought he’d done enough. He’d tried to be gentle, to give her an out, to coax her back. He didn’t expect her to just walk out while he was on the phone.

He called her. The phone rang and rang, and only on the ninth ring did she finally answer.

“Eleanor, my patience is running thin.”

Eleanor had just gotten into bed. She heard the coldness in his voice and let out a quiet, mocking laugh. “So what?”

“So you need to stop pushing me.”

“Where are you?”

Eleanor pressed her lips together. “That’s not your concern. Peter, are you not at home?”

He frowned, not understanding. “I’m in the study.”

***

Olga thought she must be the happiest girl in the world these days.

No nagging mom telling her what to do. Just her sweet, soft aunt to snuggle with.

She slept so well, it was nine in the morning before she even woke up.

Rubbing her eyes, she spotted the little clock on the table. “Oh no, Mommie Jessie, we’re late for school!”

Jessie woke up grumpy. She frowned, rolled over, and pulled the blanket over her head, trying to go back to sleep. But Olga’s little hands started nudging her.

“Ouch, that hurts!” Jessie sat up fast, her face full of annoyance.

It was the first time Olga had ever seen her aunt look so fierce. For a second, she was almost scared.