The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 276

Stepping back into her apartment, Winona stared at the sudden emptiness of her living room, her heart sinking. She sank into the sofa and stared blankly at the ceiling. Her hand brushed against a stray plush toy Biscuit had left behind, and a sudden, sharp ache seized her chest.

Ever since she lost her baby, she had thrown herself entirely into her career, desperately trying to numb the pain. But in the quiet moments of the night, the grief always crept back in. Biscuit had been her lifeline, his chaotic puppy energy soothing the raw wounds in her heart.

But in the end, Biscuit wasn't hers to keep.

The doorbell chimed, pulling her from her thoughts.

It was Rhea Sheffield, holding up a massive takeout bag with a bright grin. "I come bearing gifts! Feast for you, treats for Biscuit!"

Winona stepped aside to let her in. "I actually just gave Biscuit back."

Rhea stopped dead in her tracks. "What? Why?" Seeing the hollow look in Winona's eyes, her jaw dropped. "Did you and Stefan get into a fight?"

They had been so cute together! Stefan seemed leagues better than her trash ex-husband. He didn't seem like the type to screw things up this badly.

Winona sighed heavily, sitting down and recounting the entire nightmare with Maeve at the gallery.

Rhea winced, instantly understanding the gravity of the situation.

"Okay, yeah. Stefan himself is a massive catch, but that family dynamic is a toxic wasteland."

When choosing a partner, you didn't just marry the man; you married the family. As a divorce lawyer, Rhea had seen countless marriages implode simply because the in-laws were psychotic.

Seeing Winona look so defeated, Rhea immediately shifted into hype-woman mode. "Hey, don't beat yourself up! Look on the bright side—you guys hadn't even made it official yet. You were just testing the waters. Finding out he comes with life-threatening baggage *now* is a blessing! Better to walk away now than end up trapped in a horror movie after saying 'I do'!"

Winona laughed, looping her arm through Rhea's. Having a best friend who had her back unconditionally made everything feel a little less heavy.

*

Meanwhile, at the Goddard Manor, Violet had just sat down for dinner. Before she could even take her first bite, the housekeeper announced that Margaret and Stefan had arrived.

Violet dropped her silverware, her appetite instantly vanishing. Every time her daughter-in-law showed up, she managed to ruin the mood. Lord knew what disaster she was dragging in this time.

Margaret and Stefan walked in separately, the air between them frigid. They looked less like mother and son and more like sworn enemies.

Roxana, who was sitting at the table, gasped when she saw Stefan holding Biscuit. She jumped up and ran over, scooping the puppy out of his arms. "Stefan! Why is Biscuit here? Where's Winona?"