The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 420

"I ran into your mother at the restaurant tonight," Winona said quietly.

Stefan's jaw tightened. "Did she threaten you again?"

Winona nodded. "It was the same routine. She wants me gone."

"And what did you say?" Stefan's voice was tight with anxiety. He gripped her hand, terrified she was going to pull away from him again.

Winona laced her fingers through his. "I told her I wasn't going to give you up."

The panic gripping Stefan's chest instantly evaporated.

A slow, brilliant smile broke across his face, and he brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles.

"Winona, I was terrified you were going to do what you did last time—just drop me without a second thought and walk away like I was a complete stranger."

Winona hadn't realized how deeply her past hesitance had scarred him.

Guilt washed over her. "I'm sorry. I promise I won't do that again. No matter what they throw at us, I'm staying right here beside you."

Stefan's gaze softened completely. Leaning in, he pressed a deeply tender kiss to her lips.

While Winona was in the shower, Stefan dialed his mother's number.

Margaret picked up, her tone toxic. "Stefan, how much longer are you going to keep dragging this out with that pathetic woman?"

"Mom, stay away from Winona," Stefan said, his voice dropping to a glacial chill. "Do not interfere with us again."

Margaret was apoplectic. "I am your mother! Why shouldn't I interfere when you're ruining your life?!"

"This is my final warning. If you step out of line again, I will sever ties entirely. I will never set foot in the Manor again."

"Are you seriously going to abandon your family for her?! Stefan, use your head! She is entirely unfit to be your wife!"

Stefan hung up the phone.

Margaret screamed in frustration, nearly hurling her phone at the wall.

He was completely out of control.

If only Evander were still alive. Evander had always listened to her. He would have been the perfect heir to the Goddard empire.

Winona smiled, shaking her head. "Alright, let's stop apologizing to each other. Go get some rest. I promise I'll bring you next time. I just need to do some groundwork so they accept us."

After parting ways, Winona headed to Helena's house.

It was a rare Saturday off for Helena, and she was in the kitchen cooking. Greta was doing homework at the dining table, while Nikita was on the sofa scrolling through videos on her phone.

Winona placed the groceries and fruit she had bought on the table and slipped into the kitchen to help.

Helena lowered her voice. "Winona, I need to talk to you about something."

"What is it?"

"I'm thinking about quitting the hospital and going into business with a colleague to open a beauty salon."

Winona paused, surprised. "Really? What made you want to start a business all of a sudden?"

Helena sighed. "The hospital administration has been overly accommodating to me lately. I know it's because of Yulen Locke's influence, and I refuse to owe that family any favors. I have some savings, so it feels like the right time to make a clean break.

"Plus, working those hospital shifts means I'm barely around for Greta. I don't want her growing up without her mother around. If I open a salon, she can come do her homework in the back room after school, and we'll actually get to spend time together. It's just a better life for us."