Goodbye My Arrogant Ex (Marguerite and Leonard) novel Chapter 178

He helped Winifred out of the car himself, steadying her as she got her footing, and then settled her gently onto the bed.

“Leo, could you stay with me tonight?” she pleaded, her voice small and uncertain. “Every time I fall asleep alone, I have these awful nightmares. I keep waking up in the middle of the night, and it just... it really scares me.”

She looked at him with those helpless eyes, her vulnerability laid bare. “But if you stay with me, I think I’ll actually feel safe—and I probably won’t dream at all. Please, Leo? Just this once?” The way she pouted and clung to his sleeve was almost childlike, and for a moment, Leonard felt his heart soften.

“Alright,” he agreed quietly. He planned to take her to the rehabilitation center again tomorrow, so there wasn’t much harm in staying just this one night.

It was just one night, after all—nothing he couldn’t handle.

“Really, Leo?” Winifred’s eyes lit up in surprise. She’d only asked half in jest, not truly expecting him to agree, but clearly, the old tactic still worked. If it meant she’d cooperate with tomorrow’s rehab, it was worth it.

“Thank you, Leo. Thank you for always looking out for me. I’ll go to sleep now,” she said sweetly, then obediently closed her eyes.

After the exhausting day she’d had, Winifred drifted off almost instantly, her breathing deepening as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Leonard waited until he was sure she was asleep before slipping quietly out to the living room. There, he picked up his phone and sent a message to Marguerite, letting her know he probably wouldn’t be coming home tonight, and telling her to get some rest.

“I promise—once she’s recovered, I’ll cut off contact completely. I’ll also make sure she has enough financial support to get by. I’ve already made up my mind about this.”

He’d done everything he could for Winifred over the years; there was nothing left to feel guilty about.

Before he knew it, morning had arrived.

Winifred was still asleep in her room, not stirring even as noon approached. But rehab couldn’t wait.