From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 19

When Eleanor got home, she dove right into researching Clarkson Corporation. This company was huge, one of the top five in the country. So many graduates dreamed of working there, but it was almost impossible to get in.

Could she actually have a shot?

She remembered Peter bringing up Clarkson Corporation before. The way he talked about it, you’d think just sharing the same last name meant he was part of the company. He sounded both proud and a little jealous, like he wanted people to believe he belonged there too.

This marriage had left Eleanor second-guessing herself all the time. She was used to being doubted, used to feeling insecure and hearing nothing but criticism. It was like no matter what she did, she just wasn’t enough, and maybe she was meant to be pushed aside.

But if she wanted things to change, she needed to make the first move.

She sent off her resume, her palm sweaty against the mouse. She let out a small, self-deprecating laugh, but before she could spiral, her phone rang. It was her daughter’s teacher.

“Mrs. Clarkson, do you have time to come by the kindergarten?”

She almost said yes right away, but her daughter’s recent hurtful words echoed in her mind.

“Ms. Bennett, is something wrong? I’m not sure I can get out of work today. Maybe you could call her dad instead?”

Ms. Bennett sounded stressed. “Mrs. Clarkson, I know you’re busy, but you really do need to find time for your child. Before seven, kids are at their wildest, but it’s also the most important time for building good habits. If you get through this stage, everything gets easier.”

Of course Eleanor knew how important this was. She spent every spare moment reading parenting books and trying to help Olga build good habits. But every time she made progress, someone else would come along and undo it. In the end, she was the one Olga resented, and her mother-in-law scolded her like she was some kind of villain for being too strict.

Ms. Bennett had just wanted to vent a little, but now she was caught off guard by this bit of family news. “Mrs. Clarkson, I…”

It really wasn’t her place to get involved.

“I’ll keep your secret. I’ll add Olga’s dad to the group.”

Eleanor hung up and couldn’t help but smile. Peter always acted like parenting was such a breeze. Well, now he could see for himself.

Peter had just finished a meeting with a business partner. He hadn’t even taken a sip of water before his phone started blowing up with messages.