How to Train Your Ex-Billionaire novel Chapter 39

After that day, Yvan didn't try to contact Winifred again.

She was married and happy. What right did he have to interfere?

He threw himself into his work, spending every waking moment at the office.

He had survived the past seven years abroad the same way. He could do it again.

Hogan and Monica set him up on more blind dates. He didn't resist; he went. When Cornelia asked him to dinner, he didn't refuse.

But deep down, he knew he would never be able to fall for another woman.

Losing Winifred had robbed him of the ability to love.

Eventually, he would probably marry a woman from a suitable family, have a few children, and satisfy his elders.

Love was no longer a part of his life. His future stretched out before him, a monotonous, predictable path.

With Yvan gone, Winifred's life returned to its former state: ordinary and peaceful.

Except for one time when Cornelia deliberately called her into her office, claiming she had some work-related questions.

Cornelia rarely asked to see her in person; usually, she would just call.

Winifred had a feeling this was about more than just work.

Sure enough, after a few brief remarks, Cornelia suddenly asked, "What is your relationship with Yvan?"

Winifred paused, then answered calmly, "I told you last time. We were high school classmates."

"For high school classmates to stay in touch, you two must be very close," Cornelia said sarcastically.

Winifred didn't reply. She felt no need to explain herself.

When Winifred got home from work that day, she found Queena waiting for her at the door.

"You don't answer my calls, and you ignore the messages Karen passes on. Winifred, are you trying to kill me?"

Queena followed her inside, nagging the whole way.

"What could you possibly want? It's always the same thing—trying to set me up on a date." Winifred put down her bag and started preparing dinner. "I'm very busy. I don't have time for this nonsense."

"You think I want to bother you? If you weren't my daughter, I wouldn't waste my breath, no matter when you get married," Queena retorted, following close behind her.

"You can ignore me even if I am your daughter. I'm long past the age of blaming you," Winifred said as she rinsed the rice. "You weren't there for me when I needed you as a child, and now that I'm grown, you suddenly care. Ms. Spencer, don't you think your priorities are a bit backward?"

Queena wanted to lash out, but looking at her daughter's cold profile, she held her tongue.

She knew she had been too distant with Winifred during her childhood, but she'd had her own struggles back then. She hated Joseph Collins, and so she had also hated Winifred, who looked so much like him.