No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 856

The light in the underground garage was dim, but Eleanor could clearly see the sincerity and deep affection in Xavier's eyes. She froze for a moment.

His confession was so open and sincere it felt cruel to refuse, but Eleanor's heart was a tangle of complicated, heavy emotions. The recent discovery of her daughter's potential genetic risk filled her with an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. Xavier's declaration, as kind as it was, felt like an unbearable weight at the most inopportune time.

She lowered her gaze for a few seconds, avoiding his intense stare. When she looked up again, her eyes held only gratitude.

"Xavier, thank you. You're awesome, really. And I'm honored you feel that way about me. But I'm just not in that place where I can be in a relationship. I'm sorry."

Her gaze drifted toward the car door, her expression softening with a quiet resolve. "All of my energy, my entire focus, has to be on Evelyn and my work. I can't afford any distractions, and I simply don't have the space in my life to start something new."

She kept the truth about her daughter's potential condition to herself. Evelyn's future was hers to protect, a burden she couldn't and wouldn't ask anyone else to share.

The light in Xavier's eyes dimmed slightly, though her rejection didn't seem to surprise him. He had long sensed the heavy burdens she carried beneath her strong, independent exterior. He desperately wanted to help her carry some of that weight, to keep her from facing it all alone.

"I was too forward," he said, his voice low. "It's okay. We can still be friends. And my offer still stands—if you ever need anything, I'll be there for you."

His grace and understanding filled Eleanor with a pang of guilt, but also a profound sense of relief.

His gaze remained on her. "You said you can't be in a relationship with anyone right now. Does that include Major General Ellington?"

Eleanor's hand, which had been about to open the door, paused.

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