No More Mrs. Nice Wife (Eleanor) novel Chapter 1432

"Well, Vanessa is ruthless. She had Ian wrapped around her finger for nearly ten years. She got his money, but she also had to ruin your marriage. In the end, it all turned out so miserable for her. What was she even after?"

Eleanor looked up at her. "Back then, she loved him as much as I did."

Joy understood immediately. At nineteen, Ian was every woman's Prince Charming, the kind of man you meet once and can't forget for the rest of your life.

"Meeting Ian... I don't know if it was her good fortune or her curse. It really proves the old saying: some people are so remarkable that meeting them too young only ruins you for everyone else." Joy said, then looked at Eleanor. "So, in those last two years, was Ian really jealous of you and Joel Kingsley?"

"He said he misunderstood," Eleanor nodded.

"But from his perspective, during the three years you were divorced, with you dating Xavier Vaughn, Mr. Ellington, and Joel, he certainly had plenty of reason to be jealous," Joy remarked.

Eleanor blinked. "But we were just friends, nothing more—"

"But it looks different from another angle. In Ian's eyes, given your history with Joel and the fact that you traveled to Montclair every year... A proud man like Ian gets jealous quietly. He misunderstood for two years and never confronted you, did he? You two... you handle emotional problems the same way."

Eleanor gave a noncommittal nod and sighed, running a hand through her long hair. "That's just how we are. It can't be helped."

"So, these three years you've been divorced, raising Evelyn on your own... for him, it wasn't just a divorce, it was a punishment. It let him taste what it's like to be abandoned." Joy gave her a suggestive wink. "So now it's Ian's turn to be head over heels and chase after you. You'd better be ready!"

Eleanor pressed her lips together, not saying anything for a moment.

Joy couldn't help but lean in closer, her curiosity getting the best of her. "He's being so attentive now, dealing with Vanessa, pulling in investments for your lab, and now he's eagerly trying to become your neighbor. He's obviously trying to win you back. You... what are you really thinking? Do you still have feelings for him?"

For instance, Xavier, Mansfield Ellington, Joel—weren't they all the cream of the crop? If she had been moved or had any inclination, she might not have been able to resist.

But Eleanor's self-discipline was too strong, her moral compass too high. She wasn't willing to start a relationship without knowing where it would lead.

"Alright, let's drop it. Just let things happen naturally from now on. I'm rooting for you two, especially after what you told me. My opinion of Ian has completely changed for the better," Joy said.

Eleanor rested her chin on her hand and looked toward her daughter and the little one, noticing they were playing patiently with the toys.

Joy stayed for lunch, then took her son home for his nap in the afternoon.

Eleanor read picture books with her daughter, and in the evening, they went to the neighborhood playground for a while.