The Wife He Forgot to Marry novel Chapter 12

Winona disagreed. “Grandma, Matteo is the one who did something wrong. Why are you siding with him?”

Nikita squeezed her hand, her tone sharp. “A divorce? You think it’s that simple? Your cousin Greta is still in school, and her tuition is over four thousand dollars a semester. Can Helena afford that on her salary alone? They haven’t even paid off the mortgage on this house. They need Matteo to help with that.”

“Even so, Matteo betrayed her first. How can she be happy if she stays with him? It’s better to cut her losses now.”

“What man doesn’t stray? Besides, Helena only gave him Greta and refuses to have another child. A family needs a son, you know. And she brought me here to live with them while Matteo’s own mother stays back in their hometown. It’s no wonder he’s unhappy. In the end, it’s my fault too. I should just go back to the countryside…”

A sudden memory of her own son, who had passed away young, brought tears to Nikita’s eyes. If her son were still alive, she wouldn’t have to worry about who would care for her. Living in her daughter’s home just didn’t feel right.

Winona knew her grandmother was bound by the traditional mindset of her era. Arguing was often pointless, but she had to try. “Grandma, it doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or a girl. Both can care for their parents. And it was Matteo’s mother who didn’t want to move here to help with Greta. That’s why you came. You do all the housework and handle school pickups. You’ve done so much for this family. Shouldn’t they be grateful? If Matteo’s mother did as much as you, do you think Helena’s relationship with her would be so strained?”

“What nonsense are you talking about!” Nikita said, her voice full of weary exasperation. “Winona, don’t you dare pick up Helena’s stubborn habits. A married woman should know how to be patient and keep her family together. Let Helena’s marriage be a cautionary tale for you. You need to take care of your husband and have a son for him as soon as possible. Don’t be like those silly young girls who decide to be child-free. A family is only stable with a son. That’s what keeps a man’s heart focused on you and the child…”

When he had returned earlier, he’d found Tallulah in the room, crying as she burned their photos together. His heart had ached for her. A wave of guilt washed over him for putting a pregnant woman through such emotional turmoil, and he had stayed to comfort her, forgetting all about his plans with Winona.

Winona looked back at Tallulah, disgusted by her audacity. It was bad enough that she had moved in, but now she wanted to take over the master bedroom.

She shot a sarcastic look at Yulen. “Since I’m already giving up the master bedroom, should I just give you to her as well?”