From His Wife to His Uncle's Wife novel Chapter 346

Eleanor’s head felt like it might burst. All the old memories came rushing in at once.

She had been just a teenager, still in high school, when Jared was diagnosed with leukemia. The first thing Juliana did was try to pull her out of school, insisting she start working to help pay for Jared’s treatment.

Eleanor had dropped to her knees, sobbing and begging her mother to let her stay in school. Jared, seeing her so desperate, pleaded with Juliana too. Only then did Juliana finally give in and let Eleanor finish school and apply to college.

Back then, Eleanor was always at the top of her class. After the entrance exam results were released, the students who placed second and third threw big parties to celebrate. Someone even tagged her in the group chat, asking when she’d throw hers. Eleanor had to pretend she didn’t see it.

Everyone else was off traveling or learning to drive that summer, but Eleanor was working every day, saving up for her own tuition. Her homeroom teacher, knowing her family situation, helped find her a high-paying tutoring job. After tutoring, she worked another shift as a waitress. One paycheck went to her tuition, the other to Juliana.

Even then, it was never enough for Juliana. She always found something to complain about.

Looking back, all Eleanor could remember about her teenage years was working—always working. She did it because she wanted to be a good big sister, to live up to her mother’s expectations. Now, realizing her whole life had been built on a lie, she couldn’t help but find it all painfully ironic.

Her mother wasn’t even her real mother. Jared wasn’t really her brother. She had just been their ATM.

Max watched her while she slept, tears streaking her cheeks. He reached out and gently pulled her into his arms. “Don’t cry. I’m here.”

Eleanor nodded in her sleep without even realizing it.

The next morning, Eleanor told Max she wanted to visit her mother’s grave.

He thought it over, then nodded. “Okay.”

It wasn’t officially winter yet, but Max bundled her up in layer after layer of warm clothes.

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