The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 275

Before anyone could respond, Mrs. Mallory turned to Winona and gave a stiff, dramatic bow. "On behalf of my sick daughter, I sincerely apologize to you, Ms. Jowett."

Margaret scoffed, glaring at Winona. "Are you satisfied now? You actually forced an elder to bow and apologize to you over a sick girl. You are utterly heartless."

The deep scratches on Winona's arm burned like fire. She was exhausted, in pain, and utterly disgusted by the entire circus.

"Your apology means absolutely nothing to me, and I don't accept it," Winona said, her voice dropping to a freezing calm. "If your daughter ever lays a hand on me again, I am pressing charges."

Margaret stared at her in shock, furious that Winona had the audacity to be so unapologetic.

Mrs. Mallory's eyes darkened with hatred, though she kept her face carefully arranged in a mask of sorrow.

Stefan stood firmly by Winona's side. "Her word is my word."

Without sparing another glance at his mother, Mrs. Mallory, or the sobbing Maeve, he placed a protective hand on the small of Winona's back and guided her out of the gallery.

The drive back was suffocatingly silent.

Stefan didn't know what to say. He knew this was entirely his fault; Winona had been caught in the crossfire of his family's chaotic history.

As the elevator doors opened on their floor, Stefan looked at her softly. "Come to my place so I can clean that wound."

"Okay," she murmured.

Inside his apartment, Winona sat motionless on the sofa while Stefan retrieved the first-aid kit. As he carefully cleaned and bandaged the scratches, she remained completely silent, her gaze distant.

Assuming she was justifiably angry, Stefan said quietly, "Get some rest tonight. I promise I'll handle this. I won't let it happen again."

Winona finally looked at him. "Your family and the Mallorys are deeply intertwined, aren't they?"

Stefan paused, then gave a slow nod.

"I see," Winona said, a sad realization settling over her. "So Maeve is never going to stop coming after you."

She was drawing a permanent line between them.

Stefan felt as if a knife had been twisted into his chest. His jaw clenched tight, his dark eyes locked onto hers, but he couldn't force a single word out.

He didn't try to stop her as she walked out the door.

Back in her own apartment, Winona mechanically fed Biscuit and began packing up his things. The little dog happily munched on his kibble, entirely unaware that he was being rehomed.

She gathered all his favorite toys and treats, scooped him up, and walked across the hall to ring Stefan's doorbell.

Stefan opened the door almost immediately. Neither of them spoke.

Winona silently handed the puppy over.

As if sensing the shift in the air, Biscuit began to squirm in Stefan's arms, letting out a pitiful whimper as he watched Winona turn and walk away. He looked like a tragic child caught in the middle of a divorce.