From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 22

Eleanor couldn’t believe it when Clarkson Corporation got back to her just one day after she applied.

The interview was set for two in the afternoon, so she didn’t even have time to check her phone. She spent all day studying, rehearsing answers, and making sure there wasn’t a single hair out of place. When she finally noticed all the missed calls from Peter, she just ignored them and focused on her prep.

Later, a message popped up from one of the moms in Olga’s class.

[Olga’s mom, a lady came to the kindergarten today saying she was Olga’s mother. Do you know her?]

Eleanor’s lips tugged into a half-smile. She didn’t even need to ask. That had to be Jessie.

[This woman was so full of herself, insisting she was Olga’s mom. She didn’t apologize, just made things awkward for everyone. I’m worried Olga might pick up bad habits from her.]

It wasn’t just a worry anymore. Olga was already spoiled rotten. Eleanor had tried to set her straight, but the more she tried, the more Olga seemed to push her away.

Now, she was done trying.

[Thank you, Kristina. From now on, Olga’s dad will handle things for her.]

The other mom seemed to get it right away. So the woman today really was the infamous stepmom.

[Oh, alright then.]

A little hug emoji popped up on Eleanor’s screen. She smiled, but didn’t reply.

***

When Peter came home after work, his face was tight and serious. He’d planned to ask Olga what happened at school.

But Jessie was already there, greeting him with a gentle voice. “Peter, it was just a little thing at the preschool. The teacher and some parents are making too big a deal out of it.”

That was enough for Peter. He let it go, just like that. “Thank you for handling it, Jessie.”

He only ever used her name so warmly when Eleanor wasn’t around.

Jessie’s cheeks turned pink. “It’s no trouble. Nothing’s ever hard when it comes to you.”

“Jessie…”

Just then, Autumn came down the stairs. “Jessie, you’re back!”

The building was massive, the kind that made you feel tiny just standing in the lobby. It really was the biggest company around, way out of Peter’s league.

The interview was on the twenty-sixth floor. Eleanor waited outside the meeting room with two other women who looked just as nervous as she felt. This job was clearly in high demand.

After fifteen minutes, her name was called.

She stepped inside and was about to introduce herself when the interviewer in the middle stopped her with a polite smile.

“Sorry, but our president would like to sit in on today’s interviews. Could you wait just a moment?”

Eleanor’s heart pounded. The president himself wanted to be there?

Three minutes later, the door opened and a tall man walked in, his presence filling the room.

All three interviewers stood up straight. “Mr. Clarkson!”

Eleanor rose too, giving a small nod. When she looked up, her eyes met a pair of deep, familiar eyes.

It was him.