When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 298

Winona’s eyes welled up, and she clawed at his hand. “Let go of me!”

Joaquin didn’t release her. “You’re the one who came to me! Winona, I’m warning you, stop hovering around me. I’m not… even slightly interested in you.”

“You want to be the main character? Too bad, you’re nothing. You’re not as beautiful as Henrietta, your family isn’t as good as hers, you’re not as accomplished as she is. What makes you think… I would ever… give her up for you?”

“I never asked you to choose me!” Winona retorted. “If you don’t want to talk, then don’t. Just let go!”

At that, Joaquin finally released her, but he raised his hand as if to strike her. “I’ve never been one to shy away from hitting a woman. Winona, you slapped me yesterday, and you should know, I’m very angry.”

“Then hit me back,” she said.

“Fine,” Joaquin said, his face a mask of indifference.

Winona didn’t flinch, just stared up at him, her gaze direct.

Joaquin raised his hand high, but it froze midway. Winona had instinctively shut her eyes, but a tear had escaped and was tracing a path down her cheek.

The tear stopped his hand. He tilted his head, watching her with a mix of confusion and annoyance.

The slap never came. He lowered his arm.

When the expected sting of pain didn't arrive, Winona opened her eyes, frowning. There were genuine tears in them, still falling. Joaquin stared, more baffled than before.

He reached out, his thumb brushing away a tear from under her eye. “You really are strange. Why are you like this? Was it… love at first sight? No, you’re just that desperate to marry into the Leland family, aren’t you?”

Outside of the Nash family, the Leland family was certainly a top-tier prize. The Stetson family was also an elite clan, but there were levels to the game, and a gap remained.

Winona didn’t answer his question. “You’re not going to hit me?”

Joaquin remained silent.

Winona didn’t press the issue and turned to leave. But Joaquin grabbed her arm, pulling her back around to face him.

“I remember now,” he said. “The first time you stopped me, you asked me about… when we were kids. So, what about it? Have we met before? Is there some history between us?”

At his words, Winona lowered her gaze. “No. And I wouldn't want there to be.”

She turned to leave again.

“Stop!” Joaquin commanded.

Winona froze.

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