The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 405

Joanna had clearly anticipated this. "Don't worry," she laughed brightly over the phone. "I'm putting you at a completely different table. My sister's attitude annoys me just as much as it annoys you. Just come, eat, and have fun. No pressure."

"Alright. I'll definitely be there."

Hearing her agree made Joanna thrilled. "Perfect! I'll put you at a table surrounded by gorgeous men. Let Yulen drown in jealousy so he stops throwing tantrums with you."

Winona realized Joanna still didn't know the truth about Yulen's betrayal. She didn't correct her, just chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up.

At a high-end salon, Joanna and Willow were getting manicures.

Hearing that her sister had invited Winona, Willow scowled. "Why did you invite her?"

"Why shouldn't I? You hate her, but I love her. It's my wedding, I decide the guest list. Your opinion is entirely irrelevant."

Willow always felt a spike of rage whenever her sister defied her.

Putting on her authoritative older sister act, she scolded, "You're at this age, and you're throwing another wedding? It's embarrassing."

Joanna looked much better for her age than Willow. In her forties, she could easily pass for thirty.

Coupled with her youthful style and bubbly personality, she had no shortage of younger men chasing her.

She scoffed. "My husbands keep getting younger and hotter. Are you just jealous? You think I'm embarrassing, but I think you're embarrassing. Clinging to a cheating loser who never comes home, popping out kids for a scumbag. Yulen runs the company now, and you still won't divorce that man. You're just clutching your pearls and playing the tragic martyr."

Willow trembled with rage. "If I got a divorce, Yulen would be a laughingstock! I do it for the kids, for the family! Not like you, only caring about your own pleasure and completely disregarding the family's reputation!"

"Ha! Can reputation pay the bills? Can you eat it?" Joanna sneered. "Life is short. If you want to suffer with a piece of trash for the rest of your life, I won't stop you."

The two sisters had bickered like this for decades. Blood was thicker than water, so they could never fully sever ties. Willow complained endlessly, yet she still accompanied Joanna to get her nails and hair done, and to try on wedding dresses.

Watching her sister glowing in a beautiful gown, taking sweet photos with her young, handsome fiancé, Willow muttered about it being a "scandal," but deep down, she was envious.

She could never be as unapologetically free as Joanna.

If she divorced her husband, she would lose her status as the distinguished Mrs. Locke.

Plus, her son was successful and filial; if she remarried, Yulen would surely distance himself from her, and she couldn't bear that.

*

That evening, Winona and Stefan went shopping at the mall.

She wanted to buy a wedding gift for Joanna.

"Sure," she nodded.

They were definitely going to be used eventually.

Stefan picked up a tube of toothpaste. "This is the same one you have. I really like the flavor. I'm going to buy one for my place too."

Winona's face flushed even hotter.

After checking out, they headed home.

Fresh out of the shower, Stefan came over to her apartment.

They curled up on the sofa to watch a movie.

It was hard to say who started it, but soon they were deeply intertwined in a kiss.

His hand supported her slender waist while the other gently cupped the back of her neck.

Winona clutched the collar of his black loungewear, breathing in his crisp, clean scent.