The Wife He Forgot to Marry novel Chapter 19

Winona hesitated, but Nikita’s surgery couldn’t wait. With a sincere voice, she asked, “My grandmother was injured in a fall. She needs an operation, and I’m still short three thousand dollars. C-could you possibly transfer the money to me?”

Worried he might think she was a scammer, she quickly added, “I can send you a picture of my ID. I’ll write an IOU. Please, believe me, I will pay you back…”

But the man cut her off. “Give me your account details.”

The money hit her account almost instantly.

After a quick thank you, Winona rushed to pay the medical fees.

For the next two hours, she waited in anguish, terrified of what might happen if Nikita didn't make it. Though her grandmother was traditional and conservative, she had always showered Winona with love. Winona had grown up without parents but never felt she lacked anything. Her clothes were always new and well-fitted, her hair neatly combed. Whatever she wanted to eat, Nikita would buy it for her without a second thought.

Other elderly neighbors would tease Nikita, “She’s just a girl. Why spoil her? Once she marries, she’ll belong to another family. All that money will be wasted. You should adopt a grandson from a relative to take care of you in your old age!”

But Nikita would always retort, “She’s my granddaughter. If I don’t dote on her, who will? If we have anything to leave behind, we’d rather leave it to our granddaughter than hand it over to anyone else.”

People called Nikita foolish, but she paid them no mind, continuing to treasure Winona like the most precious person in her life.

Looking at the elderly woman on the bed, her brow furrowed in pain even in her sleep, Winona was consumed by guilt. If she hadn't married Yulen right after college and had focused on her career instead, she would have been able to provide for Nikita’s medical care herself. She deeply regretted letting love blind her to the importance of her own independence.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the next bed. Two men were shouting, arguing over who should pay for their father’s surgery and who should stay to care for him. The argument escalated, and they started throwing punches and smashing things.

Fearing they might hit Nikita, Winona instinctively shielded her grandmother with her own body.

At that moment, a metal thermos came flying toward her back.

Before she could even register the danger, a shadow fell over her, and her body was enveloped by a familiar scent of cedarwood.

She froze.

The old man on the bed, who had been angry at his sons for shirking their responsibilities, now panicked at the thought of them going to jail. “Sir, please, it’s not that serious! They just have bad tempers, they didn’t mean any harm. Look, they’ve apologized. Please let them go! Besides, if they go to jail, who will take care of me?”

Stefan glanced at the old man. “Even if they don’t go to jail, they have no intention of taking care of you.”

The old man choked on his words, the light in his eyes dimming. He had two sons, yet neither was willing to care for him.

After the troublemakers were escorted out, the ward returned to silence.

Surveying the mess on the floor, Stefan turned to Winona. “Your grandmother won’t be able to rest properly here. I’ll arrange for a private VIP room for her.”

Winona recognized his voice. He must be Violet’s grandson.

“Thank you, Mr. Goddard,” she said hurriedly, “but I can’t possibly afford a private room. We’ll be fine here, really.”