From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 218

Eleanor took Jared to the hospital. The injuries weren't serious, but with his history—leukemia and a bone marrow transplant—she made sure the doctors ran a few extra tests. She didn't really relax until every result came back normal.

“It’s late. Let’s get something to eat nearby. Do you want me to drop you off at school or at home?” Eleanor didn’t like to interfere too much with Jared’s choices. As long as he wasn’t making any huge mistakes, she wanted him to have some freedom. So, it was totally up to him.

Jared shook his head. “I don’t want to go back to school.”

She got it. After everything that had happened, he probably just needed a break. “Alright, I’ll take you home then.”

But before she could call a cab, Jared gently grabbed her hand. “Eleanor, can I skip school tomorrow?”

He touched his face, brushing over the bruises. “I don’t want to go home either. If Mom sees me like this, she’ll ask a million questions and never let it go.” More than that, he didn’t want to make things even worse between Eleanor and their mom because of him.

“Can I stay at your place tonight?” His voice was quiet, almost shy. Ever since that argument with their mother, he hadn’t seen Eleanor much. He was scared she’d start keeping her distance. He didn’t know why, but he relied on her so much. Sometimes he just tuned out their mom, but anything Eleanor said, he listened. In this family, Eleanor and their mom were the ones who really cared about him. He wanted Eleanor to be happy, to stop getting hurt.

Eleanor frowned for a second, then her expression softened. “Okay, but just for one night. And about your grades—haven’t you slipped lately?”

Jared’s smile faded right away.

“Next test, I want you back at your usual level. Can you do that?”

“I can!” Jared nodded hard. “I promise, Eleanor!”

She grinned, reaching up to mess up his hair. “Alright, let’s go pick up some dinner and head back to my place.”

It was already past eight and neither of them had eaten. When they got to her apartment, she hesitated for a moment before unlocking the door to the unit she rented—the one right next to Max’s.

“Mr. Clarkson?” Jared stared, surprised. It was almost nine. Wasn’t it weird for her boss to show up this late?

“Mr. Clarkson, why are you here?”

He’d asked this man for help before, but something about the guy—always so put together—made Jared uneasy.

Max smiled, calm and relaxed. “Jared, you’re here. I’ve been trying to reach Eleanor but she didn’t answer her phone. I was starting to worry.”

He opened the shoe cabinet like he’d done it a hundred times before, took out his own slippers, and stepped inside. “Where’s Eleanor?”

Jared mumbled, “She’s in the kitchen.”