A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 314

Winifred rushed back into the dining room, her heart pounding with a chaotic mix of dread and anger.

Iris's threat hung over her like a guillotine, ready to drop at any second and sever her completely from the life she was trying to build.

"Winifred, dear... what's wrong?"

Sylvia saw the panic on her face and immediately pushed her chair back, standing up to meet her.

Right behind Sylvia was Leland's mother, Shannon. And behind her was Leland, Fabiola, and a few other female relatives, all swarming her with genuine concern.

For someone who had never known the warmth of a large, caring family, the overwhelming support brought tears to Winifred's eyes.

"The wind is just so strong outside. It's freezing," she managed to say, taking the warm hand Sylvia extended to her.

"Oh, you're practically an icicle!" Sylvia said affectionately. "Come sit down. Have some hot soup, warm yourself up."

"Thank you."

As she walked toward the table, she thanked the female relatives one by one for their concern.

Shannon gently took her other hand. Walking between the two older women, feeling the soft, comforting warmth of their hands, grounded her.

"Sit right next to me," Sylvia said happily, pointing to a chair the staff had just pulled out.

"Thank you, Ma'am."

Sylvia offered a gentle, teasing smile. "Still calling me Ma'am?"

Winifred froze.

Behind her, Leland's voice was soft but firm. "Winifred. Call her Sylvia."

The memory of Leland and Yvette in Emerald Town still cast a shadow in her mind. She hadn't fully prepared herself to take the next step with him.

But the absolute sincerity and warmth radiating from everyone in the room melted her defenses. She had been starved for family affection her entire life. Under Shannon's encouraging, gentle gaze, she finally whispered, "Sylvia."

*Cough. Cough. Cough.*

He was playing the sickly, helpless patient perfectly.

"That soup has rich seafood in it too. You can't have that either," she pointed out.

*Cough. Cough.* "Then what can I eat?" he asked weakly.

"Have some of the hearty broth. It's got root vegetables in it, and it's easy on the stomach. Is that okay?" Winifred asked, shooting him a warning look. If he didn't stop acting like a spoiled child, the women at the table were going to burst out laughing.

"I guess so," Leland said, coughing lightly into his fist.

The hearty broth had been slow-cooked in a massive ceramic pot until the meat fell off the bone and the liquid turned milky white. The kitchen had prepared it specifically for Fabiola since she was nursing—it was incredibly nourishing and helped prevent the baby from getting an upset stomach.

There was plenty in the pot for everyone.

But Leland shot a glance at Fabiola's baby, who was happily sucking its thumb in the stroller, and quietly rubbed the bridge of his nose.