Winona was worried about leaving Helena alone, but she knew Greta shouldn't be subjected to this toxic environment. Greta stubbornly refused to budge, wanting to protect her mother.
Helena gently cupped her daughter's face. "Mom can handle her. Go home with Winona and finish your homework."
Reluctantly, Greta agreed. Before leaving, Winona quietly instructed Ezra Vane to stay behind and protect her aunt.
On the drive home, Winona bought some groceries to keep up appearances. When they walked in, Nikita noticed Greta's red-rimmed eyes. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Did someone pick on you?"
Winona, busy washing vegetables, smoothly intervened. "Just a little argument with some kids. Don't worry about it."
Wanting to cheer Greta up, Nikita hurried to grab some snacks.
Winona quickly texted Ezra for an update.
Ezra replied, "The police arrived and mediated. The whole neighborhood backed your aunt. Cynthia got a stern warning and finally left."
Still concerned that Cynthia would return, Winona asked, "Can you stay and guard my aunt for the next few days?"
"Absolutely, Ma'am," Ezra confirmed. "People like Cynthia are cowards at heart. A few good scares from me, and she won't dare come back."
Helena didn't return until past eight that night.
"Why are you back so late?" Nikita asked.
"Just busy at the salon," Helena lied effortlessly.
After dinner, Winona and Helena stood in the kitchen washing the silverware, finally able to speak freely.
"What are you going to do?" Winona whispered.
"That old hag wants to destroy my business until I cave," Helena said through gritted teeth. "But I'd rather die than give in. I've been divorced from that scum for years. He never paid a dime in child support, and now he wants my daughter to be his live-in maid? He's delusional."

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Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule)
This guy Julen is an idiot, he is so full of himself....