No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 924

"I'm not going anywhere," Eleanor reassured him.

Just then, Xavier tried to stand, stumbling again. Eleanor quickly wrapped her arms around his waist to steady him. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against her shoulder, his voice a low apology. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Eleanor."

She was about to push him away, but she couldn't understand why he was apologizing so profusely. Then, his voice, bitter and hoarse, sounded next to her ear. "I chose my company, so I couldn't choose you… I'm such an idiot."

Eleanor froze, the words stunning her into silence. *Chose his company, so he couldn't choose me? What did that even mean?*

And that was the scene that greeted the man stepping out of the building's main entrance.

Ian's eyes narrowed. He strode toward them, just as Eleanor staggered back, struggling under Xavier's weight. A powerful hand clamped onto Xavier's arm, and in one smooth motion, Ian slung it over his own shoulder, taking the full burden.

Eleanor turned, surprised. "What are you doing down here?"

Xavier, too, seemed to register the change. He looked up with bleary eyes and saw Ian. He sighed. "Ian. You're here too."

Ian glanced at the heavily intoxicated Xavier, then back at Eleanor. "I'll take care of him. You should go up and check on Evelyn."

At that moment, Gavin appeared, handing the purse to Eleanor. "Miss Sutton, you forgot this."

Eleanor took the bag, a flicker of understanding in her eyes. Now she knew why Ian had shown up.

She looked at Xavier with concern. "You should go home and get some rest."

Xavier seemed to sober up slightly. He tried to stand straighter. "Okay. You go take care of Evelyn. I'll let Ian take me home."

Eleanor turned and walked back into the soft glow of the building lights. Ian watched her for a second, his expression unreadable, before turning to Xavier. "Is your mother home?"

From the side, Joslyn added, "He didn't even have time to change his shoes."

Eleanor frowned slightly, then turned to her daughter. "Have you had your bath?"

"Yes."

In the car, Ian looked down and noticed he was still wearing a pair of men's slippers from Eleanor's apartment. He'd left in too much of a rush to even think about it.

He got Xavier settled in a hotel room. Xavier collapsed onto the sofa, rubbing his temples with his eyes closed, clearly exhausted. Ian opened a bottle of water and placed it on the table before sitting on the sofa opposite him. "Drink some water. It'll help you sober up."

Xavier sat up, took the bottle, and gulped down a large mouthful. He closed his eyes again. "Ian, you can go. I just need to rest."

Ian watched him for a few seconds, then nodded and stood to leave. Just as he reached the door, Xavier's voice stopped him. "Ian, tell me the truth. Do you want to get back together with Eleanor?"