No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 860

"Your father's position has changed, which means your future will be under even more scrutiny," Eleanor added softly.

Mansfield stared at her for a long time, reading the unwavering resolve in her eyes. He knew then that her decision wasn't about someone else; her life's plan simply had no room for him, or for any man.

Finally, he let out a slow breath, a bitter yet understanding smile touching his lips. "I get it." He paused, his voice returning to its usual steady tone. "Eleanor, I respect your decision. Take care of yourself."

He seemed to want to say more, but he held it back.

"I'll walk you up."

"You don't have to. You should go."

"We're saying goodbye. The least I can do is see you to your door," Mansfield said with a casual shrug.

Eleanor looked at him for a moment before nodding.

They walked back to the elevator in silence. Just as they reached it, the doors of another elevator arriving from the underground garage slid open.

The man standing inside made both Eleanor and Mansfield freeze.

It was Ian.

He had clearly just come from the parking garage, carrying the chill of the outside on his black trench coat. He stood tall and imposing, though his brow was creased with fatigue. As he saw the two of them standing side-by-side, that exhaustion was instantly replaced by a dark, unreadable shadow.

"Mr. Goodwin," Mansfield acknowledged first.

"Major General Ellington," Ian returned, his tone polite but cold.

As Eleanor stepped forward, the elevator doors began to close.

In the elevator, Mansfield's phone rang. "Hello?"

"Sir, your name has been removed from the list. It must have been your father."

"My father doesn't make my decisions for me," Mansfield said, raising an eyebrow.

"But the situation over there is unstable. It's dangerous. Maybe you should reconsider—"

"If I were afraid of dying, I wouldn't have chosen this line of work."

Mansfield was leaving, heading back to his battlefield. He had come tonight to say goodbye to Eleanor, and perhaps to share a dinner with her.

Though he hadn't gotten the dinner and had instead received a definitive rejection, a man with a clear purpose never loses his way.