The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 589

Winona didn't even give her a second glance. She collected her prescription, turned on her heel, and walked out.

Stefan had gone to grab a copy of her routine lab work, and they met up by the hospital's main entrance. Tallulah stepped out just in time to see Stefan wrap an arm around Winona's waist, their chemistry effortless and deeply affectionate.

A spike of pure jealousy pierced Tallulah's chest, but she quickly masked it with a disdainful sneer.

Winona and Stefan were just a temporary fling. Sure, they looked happy now, but it would inevitably crash and burn. Tallulah couldn't wait to watch Winona get tossed aside.

*

Leaving the hospital, Winona and Stefan drove straight to the Amaranth Hotel for their wedding photoshoot.

The luxury resort was part of Stefan's private portfolio. Upon receiving word that the boss was coming in for his wedding photos, the general manager had immediately completely shut down the hotel to the public for three days.

The moment Winona walked in, she was whisked away by the styling team and gently pushed into a makeup chair.

Two hours of meticulous styling later, she stepped into the first gown.

The sheer weight of the fabric almost knocked the wind out of her. Looking at the hundreds of rare, hand-sewn gemstones catching the light, she realized surviving this photoshoot was going to require serious stamina.

Stefan emerged in a bespoke tailored suit. He looked impossibly elegant and regal, like an aristocrat stepping out of a vintage European estate. Standing side by side, they looked like a cinematic masterpiece.

The photographer was practically bouncing on his heels. With subjects this breathtakingly attractive, his job was going to be effortless.

Stefan stepped behind her, carefully lifting the heavy train of her gown. He frowned slightly. "Is this too heavy? Do you want to swap to a different one?"

Winona could already feel a light sheen of sweat on her back, but she laughed. "It took an army to get me into this thing. Let's just shoot the first set, and I'll change right after."

Stefan nodded.

Throughout the entire process, Stefan hovered over her like a hawk. He carried her train between locations, supported her waist as they navigated stairs, and kept his fingers securely intertwined with hers whenever she had to stand in heels for too long.

After nailing the first two aesthetics, the photographer suggested they move into the shallow end of the infinity pool for a dramatic, editorial shot.

Stefan shut it down instantly. "The gown weighs a ton. If it gets waterlogged, it's a drowning hazard. Skip that concept."

The photographer, entirely intimidated by the billionaire's authoritative aura, quickly nodded and moved on.

Winona finally retreated to the dressing room to change.

The second dress was a sleek, minimalist mermaid silhouette. Without twenty pounds of jewels weighing her down, she felt like she could fly.

As the makeup artist touched up her blush, Stefan walked over holding a glass of water. He offered her a sip, then smoothly dropped to one knee, unclasping her brutal stilettos and sliding her feet into a pair of plush hotel slippers.

Winona's face flushed hot. She quickly looked down. "I can do that myself."

Thinking about the impending wedding, Wynne walked over to her safe and pulled out a leather-bound ledger. She began carefully auditing the dowry she was preparing for Winona.

The list was staggering: prime real estate, luxury vehicles, massive stakes in equity funds, liquid cash, and heirloom jewelry.

The moment she and Winona openly acknowledged each other as mother and daughter, she was going to transfer every single asset directly into Winona's name.

*

During her lunch break a few days later, Winona hosted a meeting with two key corporate partners.

After escorting them out of the restaurant, she realized she had left her power bank in the private dining room. She turned back to retrieve it.

As she stepped off the elevator, a hand suddenly clamped over her mouth and nose from behind.

A sickeningly sweet, chemical scent flooded her lungs. The hallway violently tilted, and the world faded to black.

The attacker quickly dragged her limp body back into the elevator and hit the button for the penthouse level.

Sylvan Scully and Giselle happened to be rounding the corner just in time to witness the tail-end of the abduction.

Giselle gasped, turning to her father. "She's being kidnapped. Should we have the bodyguards intervene?"