From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 183

That night, maybe because she’d caught a chill in the rain, Eleanor couldn’t shake off the nightmares. She jolted awake at five thirty in the morning and sleep was out of the question after that.

Restless, she found herself scrolling through her phone. Before she even realized it, she’d placed an order for a bunch of self-defense gadgets. Pepper spray, an alarm keychain, even a little stun gun. You never know, she thought. Better to be prepared, just in case.

Thinking about her future, the long stretches of single life that probably lay ahead, she wondered if it was time to sign up for a boxing class or maybe self-defense workshops on weekends. She typed a quick note to herself in her phone, just a little reminder. She might not do it right away, but it couldn’t hurt to keep it in mind.

When she got to work, she asked her coworkers, trying to sound casual, “Hey, did any of you see a really tall, skinny guy in head-to-toe black after work yesterday?”

“Nope. It was pouring. We all ran straight for the subway,” one replied. “Why? Did you see someone weird, Eleanor?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up. He gave me a bad feeling. His smile was off, like he didn’t belong around here.”

A couple of the women shivered at her words.

“I’m getting my husband to pick me up all week,” someone said.

“I’m definitely not staying late anymore,” another added.

That was exactly why Eleanor had brought it up. She just wanted the other women to be a little more careful.

The rain kept falling for three days straight. Gloomy, gray, and cold. Eleanor switched to a long black umbrella, the kind that could double as a self-defense weapon if she ever needed it.

She didn’t know if she was just being paranoid, but lately she kept feeling like she was being watched, like eyes were following her from some hidden corner.

Eleanor took a breath, trying to calm down. “I know, I’m sorry. I had a nightmare last night, so I guess I’m just a little on edge.”

Max nodded, understanding. “It’s alright. Come on, let’s go up together.”

As they walked away, a figure dressed in black slipped by the entrance to the complex, barely noticeable in the shadows.

Patrick spat on the sidewalk, watching from a distance. His daughter really was something, living in a place like this. The apartments here cost a fortune. He felt a strange sense of pride. At least she had money. That was always better than being broke. But who was the man with her? Was that her new boyfriend?

Inside the elevator, Eleanor suddenly realized she’d been a bit snappy earlier. She turned to Max, her voice softer. “Mr. Clarkson, have you had dinner yet? I could make you some spicy noodles if you want.”

“There’s probably nothing fresh in the fridge, and it’s a little late to cook a whole meal,” he said.