Goodbye My Arrogant Ex (Marguerite and Leonard) novel Chapter 227

From the moment they met, Leonard had never once pressured the woman he loved to do anything. He always dreamed that, one day, she might openly accept her feelings for him—just as he did for her. In his mind, when the time was right, they’d naturally come together, letting things unfold as they were meant to. He believed that forcing anything would only make her feel cornered, or weighed down by expectations.

But to Marguerite, it sometimes seemed as if Leonard simply wasn’t that interested. Maybe he was only being dutiful, fulfilling what he saw as his obligations. He treated her with nothing but kindness, leaving her no real cause for complaint; yet when it came to deeper feelings, he seemed to blow hot and cold, his affection unpredictable.

They were both so busy these days, barely finding a quiet moment to talk. Marguerite felt lost about how to face her grandmother. The only silent agreement between her and Leonard was that they hadn’t told their families the truth—that, in fact, their relationship wasn’t much different from a close friendship. They cared for each other, yes, but that was all.

When they returned home that evening, the house was already filled with the aroma of dinner, and the staff were bustling about, getting everything ready. Everyone was gathered to welcome the elderly Mrs. Murphy back. She had always treated everyone in the house with genuine warmth, and they, in turn, truly cared for her. Today, with her safely home, the atmosphere was full of anticipation and relief.

They had barely stepped through the door when Aaron and his family hurried in from outside.

“Mom, why didn’t you tell me you were getting discharged? If the housekeeper hadn’t called, I wouldn’t have known at all,” Aaron complained the moment he entered. “Have you been recovering well? I’ve been wanting to visit, but things have been crazy here. Ever since the whole engagement fiasco, the family’s been in turmoil—it’s had such an impact on us.”

Disappointment colored her words, and seeing their attitudes only added to her frustration. Aaron’s family had always brought a certain tension into the house—while things had never been truly harmonious, at least everyone had managed to keep up appearances before.

But ever since Marguerite moved in, they’d stopped pretending altogether, channeling all their resentment toward her. Their real grudge was with Leonard, for inheriting the family estate, but they directed their anger at Marguerite, who, in truth, was entirely blameless.

There was nothing to be done about it. The years had sapped Mrs. Murphy’s strength, and she no longer had the energy to argue. The house might never be as peaceful as it once was.