The Wife He Forgot to Marry novel Chapter 26

“How could you think that?” Yulen said, trying to soothe her. Knowing she was carrying his child, he decided it was best to placate her. “We’re married. Of course, you’re important to me.”

“I agreed to a secret marriage for you,” Tallulah pressed on, “gave up my graduate studies abroad to be your secretary here, and now I’m having your baby. Don’t you think my sacrifices are worth just as much as what you gave Winona?”

Yulen looked at her. “What do you want as compensation, then?”

Sensing him yielding again, Tallulah felt a secret thrill of victory. “You gave Winona two jewelry stores. What about me? I’m carrying your baby.”

Yulen considered for a moment. “Aren't all my assets marital property anyway? Why are you competing with her? Fine. I'll give you all the shops in Harmony Arcade. Is that enough?”

That finally appeased her. “I knew it,” she cooed. “You love me most.”

After they'd shared a tender moment, Tallulah added thoughtfully, “Yulen, aren’t you worried about that project with the Goddard Group? I heard that their liaison is one of Winona’s old university classmates. If you have her handle the negotiations, it might give you an edge, don’t you think?”

Yulen thought she had a point. A personal connection could be exactly what they needed to secure the project, especially since the Locke Group’s chances weren’t great against the stiff competition.

“Alright. We’ll do it your way.”

Back at her desk, Winona received an email from the CEO’s office assigning her to a new project. She found it almost laughable. She was the director of R&D; why was she being asked to do the project department's job? She logged into her work account and messaged Yulen to ask what was going on.

His reply was strictly professional: “This project involves many technical product details. As the director of R&D, you understand the products better than anyone. You’re the most suitable person for the job.”

Willow had a chronic migraine problem, and whenever it flared up, she would fly into a rage, lashing out at anyone who came near. Winona knew acupuncture, which could alleviate the pain, but every time she went to care for Willow, she ended up covered in bruises from the woman's violent outbursts. To make matters worse, no one in the Locke family ever gave her credit; they simply saw it as her duty.

Winona’s voice was flat. “I’m working at the Locke Group now, and I have a business dinner tonight. I can’t make it.”

Paige was taken aback. For the past five years, Winona had lived a comfortable life as a housewife; she was surprised to hear she was now working. Still, she didn't think Winona had any real skills and was probably just wasting time in a token position.

“What dinner could possibly be more important than my mother’s health?” she scoffed. “You’re her daughter-in-law, and you should be taking care of her. Cancel your plans and get to the estate. Now.”

Winona let out a weary laugh, finally unleashing the words she had held back for so long. “I’m Yulen’s wife, not your family’s live-in nurse. Besides, she’s your mother. You and Yulen should be taking care of her yourselves instead of dumping it on me.”