The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 455

Glenda and Ophelia listened to Margaret recount Stefan's words, their expressions shifting drastically.

"Did he really say that?" Glenda sneered. "He's still too young. Once he faces some real hardship, he'll realize everything we do is for his own good."

Margaret had been feeling crushed by her son's retaliation, but her mother's words hardened her resolve. She was right.

Ophelia, however, felt a deep, burning humiliation. She hadn't realized Stefan despised her so much that he was eager to ship her off to marry some random man.

Glenda glanced at the younger woman. "If you back down now, and he ends up marrying some proper socialite later, don't come crying to me. Margaret and I will never let Winona cross the family's threshold. Think carefully about what you want."

Ophelia had been in love with Stefan for years; there was no way she was quitting now.

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at the older woman. "But what am I supposed to do? How do I make him accept me?"

Glenda thought for a moment. "He's forcing you into these dates to blow off steam. Fine. Let him blow off steam."

"You actually want me to go on blind dates?"

Glenda laughed. "It's just a dinner. What's the big deal? Besides, who says any of them have to be successful? Play along for now. Once he cools off, we'll figure out our next move."

With no other options, Ophelia nodded. "Okay."

*

On Tuesday evening, Winona received a call from Jericho Harper.

"Winona, the ALX-314 drug you led the development on, in partnership with the Goddard Group, has passed clinical trials and final approval. The new medication officially launches in one week. Once it does, your name is going to be known across the entire pharmaceutical industry.

I know you and Stefan are legally married. But to prevent malicious gossip—people claiming you succeeded solely because of him and questioning your actual talent—I strongly suggest you keep the marriage under wraps for now. Give it at least three months after the launch before going public."

His voice was perfectly flat. "Did she happen to mention that she slipped a heavy narcotic into my drink? Does the esteemed Mrs. Goddard not feel a shred of guilt for pulling a stunt like that?"

Gabriel clearly hadn't known the full story, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. Not one for handling messy domestic disputes, he opted for an evasive answer. "Look, you're both at fault here. Just meet each other halfway. You're a man, and you're her son. Are you really going to hold a grudge against your own mother? Find an opportunity to apologize and give her a way out to save face."

Stefan didn't bother replying. He just hung up.

Listening to his side of the conversation, Winona realized how incredibly strained his relationship with his parents was. They barely spoke, and when they did, it was freezing cold.

Seeing her worried expression, Stefan smiled and smoothed her hair. "You think my relationship with my parents is a mess, don't you?"

She nodded.

He didn't hide anything from her. "My mother got pregnant with me before my father's divorce from his first wife was finalized. When I was born, they were terrified of the scandal and gossip, so they kept their distance. I was raised by my grandparents until I was five.