No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1043

Eleanor quickly replied, "No, that's not necessary. I can just get a cab from the hotel. You should get some rest."

"It's no trouble, I'm an early riser," Mansfield said with a smile. "Go on up."

As Eleanor walked towards the elevators, she glanced back and saw Mansfield still standing there, waving. She stepped into the elevator, her mind a bit hazy. Her phone buzzed with a message from Ian: "Evelyn's already asleep, don't worry. Get some rest."

Eleanor got out of the elevator, sent a simple "Okay," and headed to her room.

Meanwhile, in the master bedroom of his home at Cloudcrest Manor, the man had no intention of sleeping. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in his study, holding his phone, the screen still on his chat with Eleanor.

That simple "Okay" felt like a tiny thorn pricking his heart.

He recalled the video call from earlier, seeing how relaxed and happy Eleanor was having dinner with Mansfield. It was a radiant smile he hadn't seen in a long time.

Ian gazed at the night outside, a mix of emotions swirling within him.

——

The next morning, Eleanor, with her suitcase in tow, had the hotel call a taxi.

In the elevator, she was composing a text message telling Mansfield not to bother seeing her off. To make sure, she decided to leave for the airport at seven, planning to have breakfast there.

After sending the message, Eleanor breathed a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn't be troubling him.

With a "ding," the elevator doors opened. Eleanor pulled her suitcase into the lobby. As she went to check out, she was startled to see a figure rising from one of the lounge sofas. She froze.

Mansfield raised an eyebrow, looking rather pleased with himself. "Good morning, Dr. Sutton. Trying to make a run for it?"

Eleanor couldn't help but chuckle. "How early did you get here?"

It wasn't until Eleanor was boarding that Mansfield waved and said, "See you in Ashford City next week."

"I thought you were swamped with work," Eleanor said, turning back.

"I'll hurry and wrap up my work here so I can see my grandmother on time," Mansfield said with a grin. "You did promise to bring Evelyn, after all."

Eleanor gave him a resigned smile. He was the one who said he might be too busy, which was why she'd only agreed as a delaying tactic.

Eleanor boarded the plane, and only then did Mansfield leave, moving with an ease that suggested his status granted him passage anywhere in Kingston.

After the momentary feeling of weightlessness during takeoff, Eleanor gazed out at the clouds, her thoughts drifting.

Matters of the heart were never a simple black-and-white choice. Right now, what she needed most, besides completing her research, was to take some time to sort out her own feelings.