Goodbye My Arrogant Ex (Marguerite and Leonard) novel Chapter 153

Winifred could clearly sense that Leo was even colder toward her than before. Something in him had shifted completely, and the distance between them left her feeling helpless and deeply unsettled.

“Leo, I know this is my fault,” she said, her voice trembling. “I was wrong, I really was. If I’d just gone to the doctor when I caught that cold, or called the family physician to come over, you wouldn’t have had to rush out in the middle of the night with me.”

“If we’d just stayed home, none of this would’ve happened. This is all on me. I feel terrible right now—could you please not blame me?”

As she spoke, her voice broke; she started to cry, sounding frail and wounded, as if this truly mattered to her more than anything.

Leonard had never really lost his temper with her. No matter how out of line Winifred might have been, he always kept his anger carefully hidden. He owed her too much. If it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t have ended up like this—wouldn’t have latched onto him so desperately.

So time and again, he told himself to be patient. As long as she didn’t cross a line, he couldn’t bring himself to argue or pick apart her faults.

“Winifred, I’ve never blamed you,” he said, his tone distant. “I’m just busy right now. Let’s talk later.”

Ever since the scandal broke, Leonard had been stuck in an impossible situation. If he moved forward with his engagement to Marguerite in a few days, the whole world would know about it. He’d be branded as a man who’d abandoned Winifred, leaving their messy, unresolved relationship for all to see.

“I’ve been hiding at home, too scared to go outside. I’m so anxious, I don’t know what to do anymore…”

Her words dissolved into sobs, her distress even more palpable. She sounded desperate, lost, and completely alone—enough to make anyone’s heart ache.

But Leonard wasn’t swayed by her tears. He wouldn’t let himself be softened by her helplessness, nor would he rush over to comfort her.

“Winifred, just listen to the housekeeper, take care of yourself, and eat regularly. That’s the best way you can help me right now. I’ve got things to deal with here—let’s leave it at that.”