The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 249

In the hospital suite, Ophelia looked up at Stefan with soft, affectionate eyes.

"Stefan, thank you so much for coming to see me last night. If you hadn't been there, I wouldn't have made it out."

Stefan sat on the sofa, his expression completely guarded. "Ophelia, I'm grateful you took the hit for my mother, but I need you to make it clear to her that a marriage between us is impossible."

Ophelia felt the sting of tears in her eyes but forced down her bitter resentment. "I know why you came to see me last night, Stefan. You were using me as bait to draw out your uncle's faction."

He had allowed Margaret to fuel the engagement rumors for a reason—to make his enemies believe Ophelia was his weakness.

That was why the hitmen targeted her.

And it was why the police arrived so quickly. Stefan had tipped them off from the start.

"I apologize," he said smoothly. "You will be heavily compensated financially."

Though he said the words, there wasn't a trace of remorse on his face.

"You don't need to apologize," she said with a bittersweet smile. "You know what I really want, Stefan."

He placed a sleek black card on the table in front of her. "Ophelia, this is the only thing I can give you."

With that, he stood up, ready to leave.

"Stefan!" Ophelia called out desperately. "Even if you used me, I don't care! I just want to stand by your side. We can be a partnership. I don't mind if it's a marriage of convenience. You know as well as I do—I can bring things to the table that Winona never could!"

Even if he didn't love her right now, she wanted the title.

Once she had the ring, she could plan for the rest. Eventually, Stefan would realize she was the only woman suited for his world.

"Get some rest, Ophelia. I'll have my mother come keep you company."

Ignoring her plea entirely, he walked out of the room.

As the door clicked shut, Ophelia slammed her fist furiously into her pillow.

*

The surgery was a complete success.

Nikita hadn't woken up yet and still needed close monitoring.

Winona sent Helena home to get some sleep while she took up watch beside Nikita's bed.

Winona stared at him, momentarily losing her breath.

Wasn't he getting engaged to Ophelia? Why was he here?

Stefan walked toward her, his voice softening. "I'm sorry. I couldn't be here while Nikita was in surgery."

Winona finally found her voice, wrapping herself in polite detachment. "There was no need for you to trouble yourself, Mr. Goddard. The surgery went perfectly. And thank you again for arranging the hospital transfer."

Stefan was silent for a beat. "Are you staying the night? Are you hungry? I can have my assistant bring us some food."

Winona shook her head. "I'm not hungry. You must be exhausted from traveling. I can look after my grandmother on my own. You should go home and get some rest."

Stefan didn't leave. Instead, he took a seat on one of the hallway benches, making it clear he wasn't going anywhere.

Winona had no idea how to deal with him right now. He was practically someone else's fiancé. If they kept blurring the lines like this, it would cross a moral boundary she couldn't accept.

Without another word, she turned and walked back into Nikita's room.

Half an hour later, the door creaked open. Stefan slipped quietly inside, set a container of warm Italian takeout on her bedside table, and whispered, "Eat while it's hot."

Then, he stepped back out into the hall.